8 Years Ago Today - 2X MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Was Drafted By The Charlotte Hornets
They love drafting 6’6” shooting guards who go on to be hall of famers for other teams
SGA is primarily a point guard, and if youre saying that cause you think SGA plays more like a SG, under Phil’s triangle system kobe was basically a SF. Theres even a quote where kobe considered himself to be a 3 his whole career
His name is literally Shooting Gaurd-Alexander
It’s like when people call Larry the GOAT white player… Dude he’s not a goat he’s a Bird it says it right on his shirt smh
Larry’s clear
I hate how funny this is 😭🤣
clippers legend Point Guard 13
Sorry please forgive me
No forgiveness in r/nba unfortunately, off to the Hornets with you.
Jesus. That’s a fate worse than death.
They were like the #1 team in the league after the all star break. Didnt make the playoffs. Didn’t get rookie of the year. Always so close.
There’s always that one guy who says something ridiculous . In what world was Kobe a SF?
I think there is one or two year he is listed at SF, but yeah Kobe is like one the archetypal 2 guards for me.
3, first two years and his final year
Really not that ridiculous. Kobe DID say he played SF his whole career.
Kobe himself said that, how accurate that assertion is is a different thing.
Phil has a whole book dissecting Kobe’s role as the lead guard/point role in The Last Season. Strange comment right?
It’s based on something Kobe said himself.
Redditworld™
Kobe said it in the real world but your reading comprehension definitely belongs to reddit.
triangle system kobe was basically a SF. Theres even a quote where kobe considered himself to be a 3 his whole career
Are you confusing MJ for Kobe here? MJ played the 3 in the triangle, Kobe played point.
Or “lead guard” as Phil Jackson called it. Kobe was defensively a 3 though agreed.
Shai didn’t really play PG like that until after the Giddey trade I think
Can you source the Kobe quote? First I’ve heard he’s said that.
The Charlotte Hornets never had him. The clippers made the pick.
This is 95% of the “draft day” trades.
They never drafted Kobe either.
This is my biggest gripe in general with 99% of those draft records and recaps.
Unlike in other sports where the draft pick trades are announced pre selection or at the least immediately bookmarked as a selection for another team this isn’t really the case for the NBA.
That also is reflected on sites like BB-ref where at least 50% of the draft picks get credited to teams that never actually drafted them. This then also leads to some of the dumbest articles, posts, videos and whatnot “looking back” at the draft history of team XYZ that never bothered to take more than a quick glance at the draft board.
Chicago Bulls fans cry about “trading away LaMarcus Aldridge” to this day
Bucks fans do the same with Dirk. Wish we drafted Dirk but we got Tractor Traylor (RIP) instead
lol lakers fans do that shit with Jaden McDaniels
This isn’t quite right. Kupchak knew the clippers had given SGA a promise and he picked him right before to force the Clippers to give up 2 2nds to have him.
The Hornets could have had him since this wasn’t a prearranged agreement.
At least that’s my memory of what happened
I remember it being another Jerry west arrangement
Had him? They never had their car
“Had me? You never had your your car!”
Was watching a clip the other day of I think ESPN announcing the Paul George trade and the anchor was like “they’ll get whatever picks and Shy…Gihgeelgeeuous…Alexander…” It’s crazy to think what a few years and dedication to the craft does for some of these guys recognition.
Also being introduced as possibly as good as Trae Young
Crazy how things change
And Colin Sexton which is even more funny
Imagine the pronunciations of “Antetokounmpo” if Giannis never got so good
It was terrible hearing all the commentators try to pronounce it in his rookie and sophomore seasons. My family also didn’t learn it until the Bucks made the Finals and I had to teach them lmfao.
Theres a funny clip of the Heat announcer on his first game vs the Heat, saying “ Angetegoumboo”
Clippers had a chance to be OKC but Ballmer still had the new owner syndrome.
It was still a trade that any GM would make in that situation. Kawhi and PG were top five players at the most valuable position. PG was just #3 in MVP and Kawhi won the championship. It’s hard to find an exact comparison, but it would be like if the Hornets could trade Kon and five picks to get Luka Doncic and Giannis.
It’s actually not considering at least one other GM didn’t make the trade. I feel like people are underselling how hard of a decision it is to completely blow up your teams future for a gamble. It’s definitely not a decision every gm would make and it had its risks even back then.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2844408-woj-raptors-rejected-russell-westbrook-paul-george-for-pascal-siakam-trade
That’s a completely different trade though? It doesn’t get them Kawhi, who didn’t want to return. It’s also explicitly stated that the Raptors didn’t think it was real and thought they were being used for leverage.
any GM would make in that situation
Wrong
This sub believes it’s basically unanimous that the Nuggets were going to be a dynasty after their 2023 title. Or the Celtics in 2024. Or the Thunder in 2025
It’s entirely fine to just trust yourself with your own opinions and base them on what you would do.
You don’t need to pretend the presidents and the GMs that have no idea who you are co-sign your takes for them to be worth posting. They didn’t hire you onto their PR department to speak on behalf of them.
PG was coming off a double shoulder surgery and was a known playoff dropper and Kawhi has Kawhi’s injury history. Watching him struggle with his knees through the championship run did not inspire hope. There was a not insignificant portion of clippers fans who didn’t want the trade. Not going to say I thought SGA would be this good but he was promising af and being mentored by the PG goat.
There was absolutely not a significant portion of clippers fans who didn’t want the trade. We thought it was a lot at the time but this was the first time in franchise history we ever convinced a big star to come to the franchise by their own choice (up to that point it was only Baron Davis) and it was a price worth paying for Kahwi
The Thunder are the Thunder because of Sam Presti. Clippers don’t have one of those.
Not really, the Thunder aren’t the same team without the insane depth that they’ve been able to collect through having a shit load of picks.
And they don’t get JDub without our pick. So unless we found a way to sell Landry Shamet for 7 first round picks then it’s unlikely we replicate that at all.
Obviously we’d have one of the best players in the league. But the Thunder got to be so great because they sold high on PG, tanked for Giddey and Chet, then took on a bad contracts to collect a shit ton of picks. And Presti is their GM.
LAC keeping Shai alone doesn’t guarantee anything and the Thunder wouldn’t be nearly as good if they didn’t hit on JDub and have the best GM in the league.
When did the clippers hire sam presti??
30 ppg guard seasons on 50% from the field - MJ 5, SGA 4, Curry 1
All NBA 1st team - SGA 4, Curry 4
FMVPs - SGA 1, Curry 1
Most efficient FG% and TS% high volume guard season ever - 2026 SGA
Longest 20 point scoring streak ever (140 games and counting, MJ/KD only reached 70 games)
As fans we’re very lucky to be able to watch this absolute assassin in his prime
Yeah my favorite crazy stat about SGA is the first one.
The list of guys who have averaged 30 in a season is not very long. The list of guys who have averaged 30 in multiple seasons is very short. The list of guys who have done it back to back is less than 10. The list of guys who have done 4 times in a row is 2. MJ and SGA
God willing with good health, he should be able to average 30 on 50% from the field at least 2 more times to surpass MJ
I’d love to see him do it on less FTA’s. Brunson averaged the most points in the playoffs and wasn’t even top 10 in free throw attempts. Thats the kind of game I respect a lot more.
Ok, thanks for letting me know.
Cool input
Do you only respect inflated fg % stats ?
i promise you nobody cares
Sad
Curry is still the most efficient guard we’ve ever seen according to the stats. Which is why I assume you’re bringing FG% into it, which doesn’t measure efficiency very well.
If you adjust for era Steph had multiple high volume guard seasons more efficient than 2026 SGA by rTS
We were lucky we didn’t have to watch him last finals.
you got to see wemby brick and flop his way to a loss, awesome.
Do you enjoy watching him play ?
Yeah
More than most players
Yes. I love his mid-range game
Yea
he’s so good
How is the mvp putting up 15 points in a WCF game ?
Because the spurs guards had far less options to guard. Similar to how brunson put up 20 on 28% in one game.
Wdym ? The Thunder have no one who can shoot ? and that’s funny comparing to Brunson who isn’t a two time regular season MVP.
Thats right, yeah. Now youre getting it. Our best shooter was jared mccain because all of the offensive options before him, outside of sga, were either hurt, or playing poorly.
do you enjoy brunson jumping into defenders at the 3 point line?
He did it twice in the entire finals and wasn’t called on any obvious flagrant fouls.
Yeah, him doing some unpleasant looking foul-baiting 1 of out every like 8 plays doesn’t take away from shit like having 140 games with 20 points in a row. I can appreciate players like prime Harden too, personally.
Does anyone lol?
yes, only casuals dont
LeBron, Steph, KD, Nash, Garnett, Pierce, Hali and many other people/legends who know ball do. Only casuals don’t like Shai
I like SGA when he isn’t playing to get fouled.
See the OKC comments
fuck u
Hornets are better off without him now that we have Lamelo and KK
People aren’t catching the sarcasm
NBA fans vs JJK fans literacy battle, who you got?
I’ll one-up you with Naruto fans
I’ll one-up you with youtube comments :p
The hornets sucks but everyone knows Kobe and Shai was never gonna spend a minute playing for them.
What would they have done though. Just waste years sitting on the bench or request trades right away?
Okay. But this is a technicality and nothing more . Charlotte wanted Miles Bridges all along. The Clippers messed up by signalling that SGA was their guy (he was all over their socials pre-draft). Charlotte saw an opportunity to force LA to give up something and they took it.
Nobody could’ve expected him to become the master baiter he is today truly a one of one player 🐐
That’s insane. Only in the league 8 years, won MVP twice. What a fumble by the Clips
edit: and the Hornets damn didn’t even realize that until the second take
Shout out to the hero that quietly fixed his suit jacket at the 25 second mark.
Remember when everyone around the league loved this kid?
Pepperidge Farm remembers.
To think trading Shai isn’t even their biggest mistake
Fr. Can’t believe they traded away Tyler Kolek.
As someone who sniffed how unlikable Wemby is years ago, and a fan of SGA, the frenzy this year was painful to be honest.
“Years ago” oh so you were watching Metropolitans 92 basketball. GTFOH.
The 2018 Draft was absolutely stacked when it came to the guard position. It will go down as one of the greatest drafts ever, alongside 1984, 1996, 2003, and 2009.
Yeah with Brunson winning the fmvp it’s easily one of the best drafts of the century so far
from: “likes to draw in his spare time”
to: “likes drawing fouls”
Just have to say Shai and Kobe did not want to play for us whatsoever.
Pretty cool how he exploded onto the scene. Same ASG and First teams. Anyone else like that?
TIL SGA draws. Drawing confirmed best base for the nba.
I knew he was gonna be an amazing player after that series vs GSW I didn’t think b2b MVP but at least all star.
Crazy how this move saved Prestis legacy
solidified
I remember watching this live thinking he was gonna be a steal for LA the moment this trade happened.
this man is so GTA lol. the accent and way of talking always gets me. controversial in-game tactics aside, I really like SGA
Remember this the next time someone tells you the nerf to tanking is bad on the grounds that “small markets can’t get top talent”
Low-end lottery repeat MVP. And you have people who actually think the league owes them when they only pull the 5th overall pick
Is the SGA for Paul George trade the worst trade of all time? I guess maybe outside of Kobe for Vlade.
Losing Kobe and SGA is wildddd
We all make fun of the Clippers, but I had to look at the draft day trade from the Hornets as well.
What they received in return for this trade was moving down 1 spot to pick Miles Brides (ok) and 2 future 2nd round selections.
Obviously neither of the 2nd round picks amounted to anything (Vernon Carey Jr in 2020, and Scottie Lewis in 2021.)
Good job Hornets, you really outdid yourself
Easy to say in hindsight.
2nd time the hornets did this lol
I’ll never forget when he was drafted ESPN put up his player comp: Michael Carter-Williams….. and when the hornets got miles bridges his player comp was Shawn marion. What I’m trying to say is whoever came up with the comps that year should be fired.
He was the 11th draft pick.
That means 10 players were selected before him: Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Luka Dončić, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., Collin Sexton, Kevin Knox, and Mikal Bridges.
Jalen Brunson was 33rd.
I wanted SGA so bad in that draft… And not because I thought he’d be a 2x MVP and future HOF player. His draft profile checked every box of what you’d want in a complementary combo guard next to Kemba Walker.
We would end up with Miles Bridges and a pair of 2nd rounders. Thanks Mitch.
Weirdo
But what the hell is he wearing? 🤣
Damn both the Clippers and Hornets fumbled an all time great
He was never gonna play in Charlotte just like Kobe. Idk why causals always say this
90% of people people on here is casuals that only watch media heads talk
Yep. People just like to shit on us but don’t know a single thing about our history
literally Kobe himself saying Charlotte didn’t want him
And Kawhi “wouldn’t go to Toronto…”
Everyone wanted to talk like that Ace Bailey holdout was anything too.
What? Entirety different scenario. Kobe was drafted kawhi was traded to Toronto. No shit kawhi played
And yet allll the talk was that he wouldn’t
Keeeeep coping
Notice how you ignored the other points
How do you blatantly cherrypick and still end up wrong
No really, who are you angry at?
Yeah how long did Kawhi stay in Toronto again?
Y’all swore he wouldn’t play 1 game here 🤷♂️
Drop the cope, you made a bad trade and you have to wear it
Yeah I don’t know who the “y’all” is here that you’re trying to get angry at, clearly it was a good trade because it brought Toronto a chip but let’s not sit here and pretend Kawhi was ever staying.
Because he left. He left a championship winning team.
Hornets are really good at drafting future hall of fakers and then trading them for beans
Then he immediately flopped and begged for a foul.
Get a new lame dig, this one is played out.
Likes to draw in his free time. Draw fouls that is
Lame ass shit fishing for likes. Clown.
“Greatest player in Thunder history” is wild, like I get he has the chip but c’mon now
He isnt? He’s way better than KD, Russ, and Harden. He’s not going to win 2x MVP and a chip without being this good. Cmon dawg
Let’s see him after the rule changes he inspires
How many flops and FTs did contribute to his MVPs
Less than Jordan, Harden, Iverson, and Kobe.
Lebron alone got more flops
Don’t hate the player. Hate the game.
And Adam Silver.
Yawn, your shit is boring
Way too many, his FG % is so artificial
do you say that for everyone who averages more free throws than him too?
Homie goes 1 for 2 and makes 28 free throws.
Average Luka game
I remember when everyone was hating on Harden foul baiting. Shai is worse. lol. Literal flops
Come up with some new material
More like 1.5x mvp.
Its always a Lakers flair lol
They’re mad about an award their guy was never in the running for lmao
I mean, can you blame Lakers fans for being delusional and insufferable after the Luka trade?
Lebron stans are very insecure of modern generation lol
Yeah i get it we have the most titles, the most superstars, yall bums hate us. Go on 😂
No you don’t. Boston has the most titles
Yet youre the saltiest fans in the league. Hold this broom
And luka has……..