During the 2023-24 NBA season, the league has unmistakably embarked on a new era, highlighted by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s appointment as a Western Conference All-Star Game starter. His selection eclipses the consistent starting guard designation held by Golden State’s Stephen Curry since 2014.
A further indication of the league’s departure from the superstars of the 2010s is evident not only in the MVP race but also in the age of the Most Valuable candidates. Nikola Jokic (28), Joel Embiid (29), Gilgeous-Alexander (25), Giannis Antetokounmpo (29), Jason Tatum (25), and Luka Doncic (24) are all under 30 years old.
In addition to these shifts, new-era player rivalries are emerging. While the notable rivalry between Steph Curry and LeBron James has been entertaining, the current struggles of the Lakers (ninth in the West) and the Warriors (12th) diminish the significance of this matchup. This season has witnessed the birth of a new rivalry, though players may be reluctant to acknowledge it openly in the era of political correctness and limited transparency. Nevertheless, quotes from postgame interviews, Instagram captions, and on-court dynamics suggest otherwise.
Despite the Timberwolves vying with the Thunder for first place in the West, Anthony Edwards, despite being the unequivocal leader of his team, is not considered an MVP candidate. Edwards maintains impressive averages of 25.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game with a shooting percentage of 46.3%. The limiting factor appears to be the talent surrounding him, notably Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.
Yet, perhaps surprisingly, both Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have been likened to the legendary Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, recognized as the most similar to the best two players in league history, at least within this new era.
Shai’s statistics speak for themselves, boasting averages of 31.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game on an impressive 54.7% shooting. Additionally, he has established himself as a highly-regarded two-way player, leading the NBA in steals by a significant margin (2.2 per game).
The Thunder and Wolves, potentially offering a preview of the Western Conference Finals, will conclude their regular season matchups tonight in Oklahoma City. With the Thunder aiming to secure a 3-1 season series victory after a hard-fought 102-97 win in Minnesota last week, Anthony Edwards seeks redemption after a contentious encounter with Gilgeous-Alexander, who made 13 trips to the free-throw line in their previous matchup.
The outcome of Monday’s game will determine the leader in the Western Conference.
