SGA is better than Kevin Durant so why is NBA failing to support best player in OKC history?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already has more MVP awards than Kevin Durant and a higher scoring average.

So why is the NBA still struggling to turn SGA into an international superstar?

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SGA should be the new face of the NBA

Gilgeous-Alexander has been perfect in his role as the Russell Westbrook and Durant replacement in Oklahoma City, answering his superb 2024-25 campaign (MVP, world championship, Finals MVP) with another regular-season MVP award this season.

He’s already accomplished more than Westbrook and Durant did during their early Thunder days, while becoming only the seventh NBA player during the last 40 years to win multiple regular-season MVP awards before turning 28-years-old.

“To the city of Oklahoma, it’s been amazing,” Gilgeous-Alexander said.

“Welcoming me as a young kid, welcoming my family as my family grows. This place has really become a second home to me. I’m not going to lie to you — I never would’ve imagined Oklahoma being a second home today. Never been here.

“It’s been amazing. This place will always have a special place in my heart. Fans have been amazing. It’s nothing but sweet things while we’re on the road. I really love you guys.”

On Monday, SGA will lead the NBA playoffs’ top overall seed against Victor Wembanyama‘s San Antonio Spurs, giving The Association an ideal showcase opportunity with LeBron James still making another retirement decision.

SGA rarely makes waves off the court.

He’s the anti-Draymond Green, putting up huge stats and balancing personal awards with team honors, instead of talking a ton but saying little of substance.

LeBron and Curry get more TV debate time

Yet in May of 2026, SGA is still a marketing question mark.

He’s not the face of the league — Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic, Wemby and The King drive the hardwood conversation more often, even when they’re injured or fail to make the playoffs.

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Durant was also ‘bigger’ during his OKC days, while Westbrook was more of a daily conversation topic when he was rewriting the record book with nightly triple-doubles.

Even the trolling online ‘hate’ vs SGA is misguided.

For all of the chatter about his over-reliance on free throws, Gilgeous-Alexander actually averaged more per game in 2022-23 (10.9) than he did this season (9.0).

Adamant that Durant was better with the Thunder?

Stats prove SGA is better than Durant with Thunder

Official numbers say otherwise.

SGA is averaging 28 points on 51.1 percent shooting since being traded to Oklahoma City in a July 10, 2019 blockbuster that eventually gave the Thunder their first NBA Finals trophy as an OKC franchise.

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Durant averaged 27.4 points on 48.3 percent shooting during his nine seasons with the Thunder, then bailed on the small-market team to join the 73-win Golden State Warriors‘ dynasty and claim his only two world titles with Curry and Green.

Factor in that SGA answered his first MVP by signing a four-year, $285 million extension that only strengthened his ties to the Thunder, and the best player in Oklahoma City’s history is an easy choice.

He also doesn’t constantly jack up 3-pointers, tops Durant in average career assists, and has finished in the top 10 in Defensive Player of the Year voting in back-to-back seasons.

In addition, Gilgeous-Alexander has the humility to keep thanking the franchise and organizational framework that have allowed him to annually improve on and off the court.

SGA loves to thank his Thunder team

“It’s been four MVPs in the last 12 years to go through this building. I don’t think that’s a coincidence,” he said.

“There’s a reason why you have success when you come through this program and this facility and this city. Everything I just mentioned — from the fans, the love they give to the ownership, the front office making things easy, making sure we’re getting our work in, the coaches playing the right brand of basketball and holding the right things accountable.

“The way things are in this organization, this city, it breeds success. It’s no coincidence. I’m just lucky to end up with it over here.”

Wemby mania will dominate social media during this electric Western Conference series between the Spurs and Thunder.

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The New York Knicks being four wins away from finally returning to the NBA Finals will be a national story.

But SGA has been crowned as the best player in the league in back-to-back seasons, and he already has the OKC trophy that Westbrook and Durant failed to deliver.

It shouldn’t be this hard for the NBA to turn SGA into the most popular basketball player on the planet.