Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s predecessor in Oklahoma City was kind of a big deal, and Gilgeous-Alexander knows his place as he enters his first season with the Thunder.
In an interview this week, the second-year point guard said he was not trying to fill the shoes of Russell Westbrook.
“I am not Russell Westbrook,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, per the Associated Press. “We don’t have the same name, the same body type, nothing like that. So I’m going to try to be myself and be the best me, and everything else will take care of itself.
“Regardless of the situation, I’m going to continue to work hard and play my game,” he added. “I know that eventually it will come out and things like that. I don’t worry about starting. I don’t worry about accolades or anything like that. I just work hard, keep my head down and be true to who I am.”
The 21-year-old Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 10.8 points and 3.3 assists per game as a rookie for the L.A. Clippers last season, was acquired by the Thunder this offseason as part of the Paul George blockbuster trade.
As for Westbrook, who was the face of the Thunder for much of his 11 years in OKC before this summer’s move to Houston, who knows if he will develop a rivalry with his successor like he did with another opposing point guard?
