"He is not searching for threes" - D-Wade sees SGA as the face of the NBA's mid-range renaissance
"He is not searching for threes" - D-Wade sees SGA as the face of the NBA's mid-range renaissance originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's stellar play in the 2024-25 season has been notable and a reason why the Oklahoma City Thunder have been so successful. SGA is the main scoring option for OKC, and his shot selection has caught the eye of many.
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One of them is many-time champion Dwyane Wade. The Miami Heat legend shared how Gilgeous-Alexander earns his points, noticing that the 2025 MVP gets most of it without relying too much on the three-point shot.
"He's not searching out threes. He's not jacking threes. That's why he is getting to the free-throw line, because he's putting much pressure on the defense. Also, he has the relief of being able to bump you and step back and hit that mid-range on either side of the floor. So he's brought back the game that we're used to seeing," Wade said on "The Timeout."
New face for a forgotten craft
Wade relied on the mid-range shot during his career, so he could easily relate. Admitting that most players and teams transitioned to the three-point shot because of Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Gilgeous-Alexander is anchoring a new shift in the game.
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"He don't settle. He gets to his spot. And that is what we used to [do] with mid-range. Mid-range then was not settling," the 2006 NBA Finals MVP added on the mindset of dominating the in-between game.
SGA has had success because he knows how to control the pace and space. Shai puts his size and skill to good use, allowing him to create the proper separation from defenders.
When guarded too closely, the Canadian superstar will likely draw a foul. Hence, it is not surprising to find Gillgeous-Alexander being second in most free throw attempts in the regular season with 669 FTAs. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks was at the top with 707 FTAs.
Related: "I would feel very sorry for someone in today's NBA who had to guard him as a power forward or center" - Rick Carlisle says he would play Larry Bird as a big in today's era
Is Shai like Mike or Kobe?
With his on-court brilliance, Gilgeous-Alexander has received a fair share of praise from coaches and former players. Some, like former big man and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins, have even compared him to the legendary Michael Jordan.
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"He's knocking at the door of being the best player in basketball. He's efficient like Jordan, relentless like Kobe. When it comes down to how he attacks and how efficient he is, especially from the midrange," Perk said in awe of the Thunder guard.
Aside from Perkins, Tyronn Lue had a similar take. The Los Angeles Clippers coach hailed the maturity and patience Gilgeous-Alexander showed during games. SGA is the kind of player who wants his teammates involved and would take over only once the need arises.
"He allows other guys to get going, allows other guys that he's trusted with the basketball [to score early]. He knows that at any point in time, he can take over the game. He reminds you a lot of the greats like [Michael] Jordan," Lue said via ESPN.
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At only 26, Gilgeous-Alexander has many playing years ahead of him. The Jordan comparisons are flattering, but SGA knows it would take a lot to reach the level of MJ.
However, it never hurts to try. For now, Shai's focus is winning his first NBA championship with the Thunder. If OKC goes on to win it all, SGA could replicate another MJ feat. Jordan won his first championship after seven seasons; the current season is, ironically, Gilgeous-Alexander's seventh.
However, one difference is the age of both players. Michael won his first title at the age of 28. If Shai gets it done, he will have achieved it at only 26. What a career in the making.
Related: "You just trusted Michael Jordan with the ball, I feel the same way with SGA" - Scalabrine believes Shai has earned the trust of his teammates like MJ
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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