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Thunder Have Two All-Stars For the First Time in Years

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Nov 10, 2024; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and forward Jalen Williams (8) talk during a time out against the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

The Thunder hold the best record in the stacked Western Conference, so it only seems natural they should have more than one All-Star. Well, that thought turned into a reality January 30th when Jalen Williams was named a reserve for the Western Conference. 

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Thunder Have Two All-Stars For the First Time in Years

There was no doubt that MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would be named an All-Star starter, as the numbers he is putting up are ridiculous. Coming off of what was a career year for the Canadian guard, he is putting up even better numbers this season. 

Shai is averaging a clean 32.5 points per game (career high) on 52.8 percent shooting. Not to mention he is one of the league’s best defenders, with two steals a game and 92 total on the season. The 2024-2025 season could finally be the one where he wins the MVP. 

Gilgeous-Alexander is easily the Batman of this Thunder squad, but in the comics he needs his trusty Boy Wonder. Williams is that Boy Wonder, which is a name that suits him quite well. 

The question is not what can he do, but rather what can he not do? The third-year player out of Santa Clara is putting up 21.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists each contest. He is also one of the team’s best defenders. There might not be a single part of his game that he cannot do at a top tier level. 

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Still, his selection has caused some debate across the NBA world, as some fans think their players were snubbed.

Some of the league’s best guards, such as Kyrie Irving and Devin Booker, were left off the All-Star list this season. Fans have gone out and said that they should have been selected over Williams. The problem with these statements, though, is the fact they play different positions. 

Both Booker and Irving are backcourt players, whereas Jalen Williams is a frontcourt player. It is hard to compare the three Western Conference players when they do not play the same positions.

Could History Repeat Itself? 

There is also a good chance that one of Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander could bring home the Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP Trophy. The last Thunder player to do so was Russell Westbrook in 2016.

Not saying that both players share the same fate, that fate being the team’s best player leaving for their rival. Instead with how the new format is for the festivities, there is a world where one of those two Thunder players could win the award. 

Jalen Williams should enjoy this honor while he can, since he is the sixth All-Star in franchise history. He joins an elite list of Kevin Durant, Westbrook, Paul George, Chris Paul, and teammate Gilgeous-Alexander. All five of those past and present Thunder players are on pace, or are locks for the Hall of Fame. This is not saying Jalen could end up there, but it is a good sign.

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