Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just gave Oklahoma City Thunder a dream season… and now fans are wondering if he’s already the greatest to ever wear the jersey.
League MVP. Scoring champ. All-NBA First Team. Western Conference Finals MVP. Finals MVP. Champion.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t just go off, he left a legacy in one postseason run.
But when the GOAT talk starts, it gets complicated.
Dwyane Wade still rides for Russell Westbrook… the walking triple-double, the relentless motor, the heart and soul of the franchise for a decade. “I still think Westbrook is the best player in Oklahoma City history,” Wade said. “Right now.”
It’s a debate between dominance and longevity, rings and resumes, impact and loyalty.
So now the question is:
Has Shai already done enough to take the throne from Russ?
GOAT DEBATE IGNITED: Has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Surpassed Russell Westbrook as the Greatest Thunder Ever?
*June 26, 2025 — Oklahoma City, OK*
**Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just gave Oklahoma City the season of its dreams** — and now the conversation has turned from celebration to legacy.
With a **League MVP**, **Scoring Title**, **All-NBA First Team** honors, **Western Conference Finals MVP**, **Finals MVP**, and most importantly, an **NBA Championship** all in the same historic season, Shai didn’t just “go off” — he etched his name into **NBA lore** and Thunder history in one of the most dominant single postseason runs of the modern era.
But with greatness comes comparison. And in Oklahoma City, **there’s only one throne to sit on** — and it’s long been held by **Russell Westbrook**.
—
### 🐐 The Case for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Let’s be clear: Shai’s resume just exploded.
* **NBA Champion (2025)**
* **Finals MVP**
* **Western Conference Finals MVP**
* **League MVP**
* **Scoring Champ**
* **All-NBA First Team**
All of this by the age of 26. His run through the 2025 NBA Playoffs was the stuff of legends — dropping 30+ points a night, hitting dagger shots, anchoring the Thunder’s defense, and leading a young, fearless team to its **first championship in franchise history**.
He didn’t just lead. He **delivered**.
> “He’s got the ring. He’s got the accolades. He’s got the city,” one fan tweeted. “If this isn’t the greatest Thunder season ever, what is?”
—
### 🔁 But Then There’s Russ…
**Dwyane Wade** weighed in on the debate this week, reminding fans of the foundation Russell Westbrook built.
> “I still think Westbrook is the best player in Oklahoma City history,” Wade said. “Right now.”
And you can’t blame him. From 2008 to 2019, Westbrook *was* the Oklahoma City Thunder.
* **2017 NBA MVP**
* **Nine-time All-Star**
* **Two-time scoring champion**
* **Two-time assist leader**
* **Historic triple-double seasons**
* **Loyalty through the post-Durant years**
* **One of the fiercest competitors the league has ever seen**
Westbrook didn’t bring a title, but he brought **identity, heart, and longevity** — and for many fans, that means more than just rings.
—
### ⚖️ Legacy vs. Loyalty
So what defines the GOAT of a franchise?
* **Is it championships or consistency?**
* **Is it peak performance or decade-long dominance?**
* **Is it the greatest season or the greatest career?**
Shai has undoubtedly given OKC the most **storied season in its existence**, and at just 26 years old, he could build a dynasty. But Westbrook’s blood, sweat, and loyalty made the franchise relevant, kept it alive post-Durant, and gave it its fiery soul.
—
### 🔮 The Verdict? Still Unwritten.
For now, the question remains open:
> Has Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already done enough to dethrone Russell Westbrook as the greatest player in Thunder history?
It depends who you ask — and it may depend on what comes next. Another title, another MVP, another deep run? The scale could tip even more dramatically in Shai’s favor.
But one thing’s for certain:
**Oklahoma City has been blessed with two generational talents.** And whether your heart lies with Russ or Shai, the Thunder’s sky has never looked brighter. ⚡🏆
Leave a Reply