Leadership wise, he is already a better leader than bron

It’s also the fact that he’s so secure in himself and his abilities that he doesn’t feel insecure about giving props and credit where its due

Which makes it wild how rabid this sub gets about hating him. Like it’s escalated beyond the game to personal levels and wishing injury on the guy.

People I know have seen him in public a few times and have nothing but great things to say about him.

Honestly, I get why Seattle fans are still pissed they where supposed to have there team, presti, and kd. Hopefully, they get a good gm next time

Jerry Krause is underrated in those discussions. Those Bulls teams were stacked and had futuristic roster flexibility.

Power of friendship

As a Thunder stan that has watched most games this season, it has been apparent since very early in the season that Ajay is going to be a special player now and in the future. Our first two games of the season both went to OT and the first thing that still comes to mind is how Ajay was a difference maker in crucial moments of those games. I couldn’t believe this was the same guy that didn’t get much run last year. I’m aware it was due to injury, but he went from decent to incredible in an off-season and his game is very well rounded so it’s hard to run him off the court.

He gives me the same kinda vibes Brunson did when he was with the Mavs, but I think Ajay is already much better defender, and only a few levels behind in playmaking ability (which makes him an elite playmaker in the NBA). It’s a huge bonus that he is also very active on defense. I have no idea where he gets the energy to fucking do that. He does have weaknesses, one is he is not a great passer, but he also seems to be aware of those weaknesses and how to work around them for the most part.

I’d love to keep him long-term, but if he keeps progressing at the rate he is, it feels inevitable that he is going to be the leader of his own team someday. I’m obviously dripping with bias for the Thunder, but I don’t feel that way about our other great players like Chet and J-Dub and I’m not sure why.

“Carried” 😭😭

You do realise Ajay was able to play so well because of all the defensive attention on Shai?

They put their best defenders (Smart, Rui) on Shai all series and left Reaves to deal with Ajay

Definitely wouldn’t say carried lmao. He had 35 points tonight and was clutch in the closest playoff game the Thunder have had this season. But yes Ajay was a tremendous help

You have no idea how good it feels that our MVP can be “carried” by our six man.

True. But Ajay is a demon on defense. And the chasm is enormous.

Not really fair to say Mitchell feeds of Shai’s gravity but ignore than Reaves is equally helped out by Lukas

Even when he healthy, Mitchell is leaps and bounds better on defense

He was one of the best defenders statistically at the start of the season but I thought it was a fluke early season thing since he was so much smaller than the other guys on that list (your Wembys, Chet’s, etc). Then the season ended and he was still one of the best defenders statistically lmao

Not even just that, Ajay was hurt and missed the last 30 games last year and Presti still gave him a contract. Shit GM’s would had cut him.

im envy on thunder having 13 players to spare like is just normal. When does pelinka gonna strike this kind of thing. sixears gm is so idiot giving mcain for free. they didnt even ask for two pick in 2026 nba draft