Thunder Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Downplays Michael Jordan Comparisons

The NBA's reigning MVP acknowledges the flattery but doesn't love being compared to the all-time great.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's reigning regular-season and Finals MVP as well as last season's scoring champion, has responded to comparisons between himself and Michael Jordan. While Gilgeous-Alexander appreciates being mentioned in the same breath as the basketball legend, he doesn't love the comparisons, citing Jordan's unmatched accomplishments and impact on the game.

Why it matters

Gilgeous-Alexander is widely considered one of the NBA's elite players, but Jordan set an impossibly high standard as perhaps the greatest player of all time. The Thunder star's comments provide insight into how he views his own place in the game's history and the pressure that comes with Jordan comparisons.

The details

In a recent interview, Gilgeous-Alexander acknowledged that the Jordan comparisons are 'flattering' but also a 'disservice' given the Bulls icon's unparalleled achievements, including six championships, five MVP awards, and 10 scoring titles. The 27-year-old Canadian said he's 'chasing' that level of greatness but doesn't 'love' being compared to Jordan, who had an 'ultra-commanding presence' that Gilgeous-Alexander hasn't quite matched.

  • Gilgeous-Alexander is the NBA's reigning regular-season and Finals MVP, as well as last season's scoring champion.

The players

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The star player for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who is the NBA's reigning regular-season and Finals MVP as well as last season's scoring champion.

Michael Jordan

Widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time, Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships in the 1990s and won five regular-season MVP awards and six Finals MVPs.

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What they’re saying

“I'd be lying if I said it wasn't flattering. Being in a conversation with a guy like that, who is the face of basketball, is pretty insane.”

— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder Star (Newsweek)

“Honestly speaking, I don't really love them [the comparisons], just because he's three-peated twice. What he did for the sneaker business, everything he's been to the game, I think it's a disservice to compare me, seven years in, to what he's been.”

— Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder Star (Newsweek)

The takeaway

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is undoubtedly one of the NBA's elite players, he recognizes the immense challenge of living up to the standard set by Michael Jordan, the sport's undisputed GOAT. Gilgeous-Alexander's humility in the face of such lofty comparisons suggests he is focused on carving out his own legacy rather than chasing Jordan's unmatched accomplishments.