Lets admit the obvious: SGA is a better player than Luka

[bbms]

Superior scorer and infinitely better defender. Now he also has more NBA accolades.

don't forget turnover differential impact

[Special_Puppy]

ppl acting like j.williams, joe, caruso, dort and half a year of chet is a great supporting cast. luka had more in dallas than sga does in okc.

Bait or Tomfoolery. Call it

[EmpireFalls]

Shai is better than anyone in the world this season. Even Jokic. He outplayed him head to head.

Shai is on a better team.

Of course he is. But he’s performing at a level matching Jokic this season and got the crucial head to head win.

[MrPainfulTruth]

Shai is better than anyone in the world this season. Even Jokic. He outplayed him head to head.

That is just a statement, not a fact. I dunno where he "outplayed" Jokic, and how you would measure that, and how you count in the magic disappearing act of the greater part of the Nuggets' starting lineup (not even to mention their nonexisting bench) and the two games that were gifted to OKC by the officials...

[CobraCommander]

He's better on offense and a bit worse on defense. He's definitely close, like 90 percent there when peaking.

Luka is better on offense than lebron?

y'all do know lebron is
Points: LeBron James is currently the NBA's all-time leading scorer.
Assists: He ranks 4th all-time in assists.
Rebounds: He is ranked 25th in all-time rebounds.
Steals: LeBron James is 6th in all-time steals.

lebron is a machine that just wins and plays and wins and plays and is healthy

and LUKA aint never been anywhere close to lebron on defense....I don't even know how to comprehend you saying luka is 90% of lebron on defense when peaking...

Luka is 26 years old and teams are picking on a 26 year old Wing....no one switched ONTO lebron in his prime...wtf....if you switched onto lebron it's because you wanted to try to get him into foul trouble.

Watch on YouTube

you might be WAY too young for this...but LeBron came in second for Defensive Player of the Year voting TWICE....in 2009 and 2013

the fact that you are insane enough to say Lukas peak is 90% of lebrons Peak defense is crazy

you UGLY BUG BALL have indeed ....as my man said...LOST ALL CREDIBLITY

someone come get your boy...he is out here on some stronger than legal stuff

Wow I just watched the video. That is some pathetic defense by Luka lol

That guy broke down the defense - play by play - move by move- Luka not only was out of shape, he was out of position on most plays and his fundamentals of defense were horrible. His defensive foot work is highschool level bad… This proves that it’s bigger than being in shape… but these are things he can fix - but in year 8 its embarrassing to have a guy this good on offense to be this bad at the overall game- Luka cost the lakers the series because he couldn’t stay in front of anyone in a critical games- if Luka scored 51 they may have still lost

[CobraCommander]

Shai is better than anyone in the world this season. Even Jokic. He outplayed him head to head.

Shai is on a better team.

Of course he is. But he’s performing at a level matching Jokic this season and got the crucial head to head win.

Everytime you guys say Shai is on a better team we watch OKC get led by SGA and SGA makes his team better- but SGAs teammates didn’t have better playoff runs than Gordon or Murray… or LeBron on Rui - or Randle or Naz…or Brown and etc etc

When are we going to give SGA credit for being a great teammate and leader ?

Sga does his interviews with his team as a team - thanks his team first for his mvp- Chet is his only lottery level teammate- all these other guys got lottery level talent on their team- DORT is undrafted!?! Jdub what 20? Sga himself is 11th pick in draft then traded…

These guys are playing better than the sum of their parts and SGAs leadership is part of the reason

[MrPainfulTruth]

Everytime you guys say Shai is on a better team we watch OKC get led by SGA and SGA makes his team better- but SGAs teammates didn’t have better playoff runs than Gordon or Murray… or LeBron on Rui - or Randle or Naz…or Brown and etc etc

You gotta be joking. Besides, #2 and #3 on the Nuggets are Murray and MPJ, not Gordon. And you seriously say OKC's starters - and bench (!!) - werent brutally outperforming everoyne on the Nuggets outside of Jokic and Gordon, MPJ, Braun and the joke they call a bench?

[EmpireFalls]

Shai is better than anyone in the world this season. Even Jokic. He outplayed him head to head.

That is just a statement, not a fact. I dunno where he "outplayed" Jokic, and how you would measure that, and how you count in the magic disappearing act of the greater part of the Nuggets' starting lineup (not even to mention their nonexisting bench) and the two games that were gifted to OKC by the officials...

Shai won the series.

Jokic got his stats as he always does… 28-14-6 on 59% TS, but a lot of turnovers. He struggled hard outside of Game 1 and Game 4. 1.5 A/TO which for Joker isn’t great and they severely limited his playmaking. Also included two big time stinkers of his.

Shai in that series: 29-6-6 on 63% TS. Less peaks and valleys just consistent elite play.

Considering Shai won the series it’s fair to say he matched Jokic at the very least. So, if he wins the title and FMVP then he’ll have had the best season of anyone on the planet this year, which would mean he outplayed Jokic by default.

This doesn’t take anything away from Jokic, who is amazing. It just goes to show how elite Shai has been this year.

[Deathray]

Shai is better than anyone in the world this season. Even Jokic. He outplayed him head to head.

That is just a statement, not a fact. I dunno where he "outplayed" Jokic, and how you would measure that, and how you count in the magic disappearing act of the greater part of the Nuggets' starting lineup (not even to mention their nonexisting bench) and the two games that were gifted to OKC by the officials...

Shai won the series.

Jokic got his stats as he always does… 28-14-6 on 59% TS, but a lot of turnovers. He struggled hard outside of Game 1 and Game 4. 1.5 A/TO which for Joker isn’t great and they severely limited his playmaking. Also included two big time stinkers of his.

Shai in that series: 29-6-6 on 63% TS. Less peaks and valleys just consistent elite play.

Considering Shai won the series it’s fair to say he matched Jokic at the very least. So, if he wins the title and FMVP then he’ll have had the best season of anyone on the planet this year, which would mean he outplayed Jokic by default.

This doesn’t take anything away from Jokic, who is amazing. It just goes to show how elite Shai has been this year.

Arguably Caruso was the most impactful Thunder player in the series on a per minute basis.

[EmpireFalls]

Arguably Caruso was the most impactful Thunder player in the series on a per minute basis.

The same is true of Gordon for Denver then if we’re going per-minute plus minus.

[MrPainfulTruth]

I dont think this is going anywhere, and you failed to address any of my points. You want to ignore what happened and look at the numbers only and declare SGA the winner in their individual matchup , because his superior team won the series - okay, enjoy.

[Special_Puppy]

Shai is on a better team.

Of course he is. But he’s performing at a level matching Jokic this season and got the crucial head to head win.

Everytime you guys say Shai is on a better team we watch OKC get led by SGA and SGA makes his team better- but SGAs teammates didn’t have better playoff runs than Gordon or Murray… or LeBron on Rui - or Randle or Naz…or Brown and etc etc

When are we going to give SGA credit for being a great teammate and leader ?

Sga does his interviews with his team as a team - thanks his team first for his mvp- Chet is his only lottery level teammate- all these other guys got lottery level talent on their team- DORT is undrafted!?! Jdub what 20? Sga himself is 11th pick in draft then traded…

These guys are playing better than the sum of their parts and SGAs leadership is part of the reason

This feels too much like Remember the Titan and or Jordan Stans crediting his leadership for his supporting cast being so great

[CobraCommander]

Of course he is. But he’s performing at a level matching Jokic this season and got the crucial head to head win.

Everytime you guys say Shai is on a better team we watch OKC get led by SGA and SGA makes his team better- but SGAs teammates didn’t have better playoff runs than Gordon or Murray… or LeBron on Rui - or Randle or Naz…or Brown and etc etc

When are we going to give SGA credit for being a great teammate and leader ?

Sga does his interviews with his team as a team - thanks his team first for his mvp- Chet is his only lottery level teammate- all these other guys got lottery level talent on their team- DORT is undrafted!?! Jdub what 20? Sga himself is 11th pick in draft then traded…

These guys are playing better than the sum of their parts and SGAs leadership is part of the reason

This feels too much like Remember the Titan and or Jordan Stans crediting his leadership for his supporting cast being so great

why....

Jordan led by holding his guys accountable and they won 6 rings. But Pippen, Kukoc, Rodman, Kerr, Harper and others on that team were pretty good players. Pip and Rodman are HOFers and they were better with Jordan because Jordan held them accountable.

SGA makes his guys better - they love him in a way NONE of Jordans teammates felt about him.

people are so weird- you are better personally at your job when your manager, leader or CEO drives accountable AND drives camaraderie

SGA may be a better leader than MJ- SGA led the youngest team to win a conference with only ONE damn lottery pick...IN A STACKED WEST...

SGA isn't the player that MJ is but SGA may be a better leader...

[CobraCommander]

I dont think this is going anywhere, and you failed to address any of my points. You want to ignore what happened and look at the numbers only and declare SGA the winner in their individual matchup , because his superior team won the series - okay, enjoy.

Jokic is a better player than SGA...but Denver has a good team but they didn't have a coach and the aprons forcing the nuggets to move pieces that hurt the team...

[CobraCommander]

Everytime you guys say Shai is on a better team we watch OKC get led by SGA and SGA makes his team better- but SGAs teammates didn’t have better playoff runs than Gordon or Murray… or LeBron on Rui - or Randle or Naz…or Brown and etc etc

You gotta be joking. Besides, #2 and #3 on the Nuggets are Murray and MPJ, not Gordon. And you seriously say OKC's starters - and bench (!!) - werent brutally outperforming everoyne on the Nuggets outside of Jokic and Gordon, MPJ, Braun and the joke they call a bench?

im not joking...YOU GUYS HAVE A RING BRO....Gordon got hurt...Gordon used to be the NUMBER ONE IN ORLANDO...Murray has had moments where he was the best player on the court with Jokic there. I love Denver bro...live part of the year in cherry creek....I go to games... MJP is scary because he is always seriously hurt...I like him but no way in hell would I have given him a contract with that back...but im just saying OKC roster is def better than the sum of their parts...not one of the guys on the OKC roster would be a first option like gordon was in Orlando...

[Special_Puppy]

Everytime you guys say Shai is on a better team we watch OKC get led by SGA and SGA makes his team better- but SGAs teammates didn’t have better playoff runs than Gordon or Murray… or LeBron on Rui - or Randle or Naz…or Brown and etc etc

When are we going to give SGA credit for being a great teammate and leader ?

Sga does his interviews with his team as a team - thanks his team first for his mvp- Chet is his only lottery level teammate- all these other guys got lottery level talent on their team- DORT is undrafted!?! Jdub what 20? Sga himself is 11th pick in draft then traded…

These guys are playing better than the sum of their parts and SGAs leadership is part of the reason

This feels too much like Remember the Titan and or Jordan Stans crediting his leadership for his supporting cast being so great

why....

Jordan led by holding his guys accountable and they won 6 rings. But Pippen, Kukoc, Rodman, Kerr, Harper and others on that team were pretty good players. Pip and Rodman are HOFers and they were better with Jordan because Jordan held them accountable.

SGA makes his guys better - they love him in a way NONE of Jordans teammates felt about him.

people are so weird- you are better personally at your job when your manager, leader or CEO drives accountable AND drives camaraderie

SGA may be a better leader than MJ- SGA led the youngest team to win a conference with only ONE damn lottery pick...IN A STACKED WEST...

SGA isn't the player that MJ is but SGA may be a better leader...

How many fewer wins would the Thunder win if Shai's on court play didn't change at all, but he was a "bad leader" instead of a "good leader"

[Doctor MJ]

SGA is the chosen face of the league and therefore gets the softest whistle since DWade flopped his way to a ring. Luka has no chance. He and Jokic, the beer-chugging partying balkan buddies, are not compatible with the image the league wants to have. And neither is Ant, for that matter.

At this point I can't tell when people are trolling but:

1. This conspiracy stuff is so out of control. The idea that any major corporation would ever rig the game to help Oklahoma City is just absurd. For those outside of the US, just know that OKC an extremely small market that can't even get a franchise in any other major American league.

2. I feel like people here haven't processed what a huge disadvantage it is for SGA as a potential crossover star that he had such a slow start. People look to decide who the future superstars of draft classes in their first couple seasons, and after that they develop active resistance to the possibility that a slow starter has surpassed Luka...hence many of the opinions in this thread.

3. Jokic is in this ballpark too. Back during the '19-20 season, Luka was the future face of the league and Jokic/SGA were footnotes. 4 MVPs later for Jokic/SGA and you still have a ton of people who are too emotionally blocked to even consider Luka's been surpassed by either of these guys.

[Special_Puppy]

Everytime you guys say Shai is on a better team we watch OKC get led by SGA and SGA makes his team better- but SGAs teammates didn’t have better playoff runs than Gordon or Murray… or LeBron on Rui - or Randle or Naz…or Brown and etc etc

.not one of the guys on the OKC roster would be a first option like gordon was in Orlando...

Why are we acting like the bar to be the best player on a bottom 5 team is a high. OKC has a bunch of guys who'd be the best player on a team like the current Nets

[ThunderBolt]

These guys are in the heart of their prime. It’s silly to say one is clearly the better player. Obviously SGA had a better season than Luka but the narrative could change next year if Luka gets on ozempic. This is like saying a close game is already over because of who is ahead at the half.

[Dadouv47]

SGA is the chosen face of the league and therefore gets the softest whistle since DWade flopped his way to a ring. Luka has no chance. He and Jokic, the beer-chugging partying balkan buddies, are not compatible with the image the league wants to have. And neither is Ant, for that matter.

At this point I can't tell when people are trolling but:

1. This conspiracy stuff is so out of control. The idea that any major corporation would ever rig the game to help Oklahoma City is just absurd. For those outside of the US, just know that OKC an extremely small market that can't even get a franchise in any other major American league.

2. I feel like people here haven't processed what a huge disadvantage it is for SGA as a potential crossover star that he had such a slow start. People look to decide who the future superstars of draft classes in their first couple seasons, and after that they develop active resistance to the possibility that a slow starter has surpassed Luka...hence many of the opinions in this thread.

3. Jokic is in this ballpark too. Back during the '19-20 season, Luka was the future face of the league and Jokic/SGA were footnotes. 4 MVPs later for Jokic/SGA and you still have a ton of people who are too emotionally blocked to even consider Luka's been surpassed by either of these guys.

sometimes I wonder if other fanbases are just not pissed because we had half the draft picks in the NBA and Presti turned them into JDub, Chet, Cason etc

I can't find any rational explanation because I would understand the hate if we already won something but it's been 13 years since our last trip to the Finals. We are a small market team that nobody cares about when we suck (and even don't get a christmas game after finishing first in the west) so it's insane to me. As a Real Madrid fan I get the hate from other fanbases since we are the team with most titles in soccer history and I would be a hater too if I saw another team winning it all every year.