Clipperholics
Fansided

The Sky is the Limit for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the NBA

By Jacob Glosup

CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 15: NBA Draft Prospect, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poses for a portrait during the 2018 NBA Combine circuit on May 15, 2018 at the Intercontinental Hotel Magnificent Mile in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Los Angeles Clippers’ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander looks to have a huge amount of potential.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ Summer League is in the books. Our two draft picks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jerome Robinson, shined this summer. Gilgeous-Alexander was arguably the best rookie in this year’s Summer League. With a wide skill-set, high basketball-IQ, and his height & reach, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s potential seems endless.

Summer League

Recently, in his first career Summer League season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shined like a Hollywood actor in their first blockbuster movie. He averaged 19 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2.3 steals per game on 46% shooting. He seemed comfortable on the court and displayed his ability as a play-maker.

Andrew Han of ESPN.com believes that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the best rookie in the entire Summer League. Also, according to ESPN Staff Writer Kevin Pelton, Gilgeous-Alexander was one of the overachievers in this year’s Summer League, based on Pelton’s SCHOENE projection system.

Where SGA Can Look to Improve

Gilgeous-Alexander can look to three of his fellow Clipper guards to improve his game on both sides of the ball.

Defensively, SGA can improve by picking the brain of Mr. 94 Feet, Patrick Beverly. Beverly is one of the elite defensive-minded guards in the NBA. Learning to think more like Mr. 94 Feet when playing defense would work wonders for SGA. With an almost seven-foot wingspan, he has the physical tools to be a great on-ball defender.

Offensively, Gilgeous-Alexander can become an even better play-maker by learning from Miloš Teodosić. SGA already possesses a high basketball-IQ. He can look to improve his court awareness and passing ability with the help of Teodosić.

Additionally, the 2018 Sixth Man of the Year, Lou Williams, can help Gilgeous Alexander become a more lethal offensive weapon. SGA already possesses an above-average ability to handle and score the ball, but there is room for improvement. Gilgeous-Alexander can improve his ability to finish through contact and draw fouls by learning from Lou Williams.

Lastly, there are few areas that Gilgeous-Alexander should see as cause for concern. His outside shot needs work, but primarily, he needs to improve on finishing through contact. SGA is an extremely lean 180 lbs at 6 feet 6 inches. In comparison, Lou Williams is only five pounds lighter but almost half a foot shorter than Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA needs to commit to a strength training program and put on some body mass and muscle, in order to get his body NBA-ready.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs to place extreme importance on his development. If he does and gets ample playing time in his upcoming rookie season, it will bode well for him. SGA has the tools and resources to be an All-Star someday.

Home/Clippers News