Why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is Impossible to Guard

[@ttam1217]

He has the handle, body control, strength and vision to "take what they give you". Everyone that hoops wants to play this way. Being able to have a counter for everything on the court is probably what flying feels like. And he guards. Special player.

[@YungZully]

and he guards 💯💯

[@JD-ny3vz]

Such a great comment, this expresses the beauty of this sport at it's highest level trying to achieve that almost transcendant level of play.

[@Kzeditzzz387]

@@JD-ny3vz Its that feeling of peace and dominance combined

[@JD-ny3vz]

@@Kzeditzzz387 Yea it's like a spiritual experience deadass. The few times I've felt it playing ball is really what makes me love the sport.

[@Kzeditzzz387]

@@JD-ny3vz I honestly play 2-3 times a week cause i love that feeling when the defence has no answer and im just reacting to how the defence reacts.

[@mdhindley]

Picked a pretty damn good day to post this. 7/12 shooting, 14/16 from the line. 6 ice cold free throws with less than a minute remaining. He's elite.

[@trumpies]

Typical Shai game. He's so good.

[@duffal0]

He’s improved significantly every single year, going back to high school. He missed his high schools JV TEAM when he was a freshman, improved to a bench player on the varsity team his sophomore year, was a starter and 4 star recruit by his senior season, and entered Kentucky as the lowest ranked player in their class. He was at the end of the rotation and by midway through the season was the team’s best player. His rookie year on the Clippers he averaged 10 ppg, and improved that to 19 ppg his 2nd season. Chris Paul said Shai has improved more than any player he’s ever seen in his career. I’ve never seen another play finish too 5 in MIP voting 3 years out of their first 5 in their career.

[@mazibabySc803]

Preach 🤝🏾

[@ID91254]

It would be crazy to see him keep improving. Future MVP

[@Themegatrolll]

seeing him on the clippers i thought he had a role player ceiling ngl

[@TJzWayyy]

Idk. Lebrons second season is the biggest improvement I’ve seen

[@crystalizedExposed]

i heard pat bev say he could tell he would be a superstar in the future and that his work ethic was insane

[@Willismoneyeverywhere]

Basketball is such a beautiful game as i got older and really fell in love with the game i really realized its not just offense and defense and coaching plays and xs and os its literally a science to the game like chess its so many ways to get better and have an advantage of your opponent if you study the game a lot like players like mj Kobe and lebron you can just beat teams off of brains and smarts then just talent like picking spots knowin what oppostion going to do how they going to do it scout your opponents , thats why I loved the mj era Kobe era those players really studied the game and poured their heart and soul into this era these young dudes dont love the game enough to study and wanna win and have a legacy thats going to live on forever but as long as their scoring a lot and gettin paid a lot of money their fine with that no wonder why players like harden havent won anything , appreciate lebron now before hes gone one of the last dying breed of a true student of the game and a player that wants to be a goat

[@Willismoneyeverywhere]

I forgot about giannis hes a old school type of player and cares and wants to be great lets just hope we can get more players like giannis Csuse the NBA wont be the league that it once was if this train continues of players just playing hard for the money

[@skinnytimmy1]

Yes, basketball is great because players can dominate with athleticism, skill, iq, or a combination of all 3, at any position.

[@realbrooklynjes]

ONE OF THE BEST BREAKDOWNS IVE EVER HEARD

[@HoopVenue]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@realbrooklynjes]

i just realized he signed for 5 years with the OKC ... OMG ,,, wasting his entire best years ... i hope he gets traded or they do something to get him some real help ...@@HoopVenue

[@ArtisWrld]

Factual

[@AGradeNonsense]

Agreed. Great work!

[@Omegascithe]

Shai's movement on the ankles/borderline splits strongly remind me of professional tennis players, how they outstretch their legs to get something that's just barely within their reach, and recovering just the same way he does thereafter. So much strain on the lower legs, but they make it look so easy. Shai's so slick with it

[@Clear256]

This dude has MVP potential

[@HoopVenue]

100% agree!

[@duffal0]

Everyone says I’m crazy, but I’ve always said he can be a top 15 player all time if OKC can win like 2-3 rings.

[@ry_an.]

@@duffal0all time? Shai has had one elite season. Pump the brakes for now

[@pedrof.a.4921]

He would need to be in other team or make OKC more competitive imo

[@nitroerza8988]

Ima take notes of his craftiness

[@KJ.022]

Amazing breakdown! I feel like the only thing separating Shai from being an undeniable top 3 guy in the league every year is his playmaking. He’s definitely a great passer, but because of his score first mentality most of looks are reactionary once his scoring opportunity gets cut off, rather than seeing plays develop before they are there. If he unlocks that part of his game, or just progressively improves in that aspect I don’t see how anybody can possibly stop him

[@josiahlewis6392]

So glad sga starting to get the recognition he deserves cause he’s been elite for 3 seasons now. If it wasn’t for an injury last year he would’ve been this efficient for 3 years straight, at such a young age it’s incredible. Can’t wait for him to do it in the playoffs so the remaining sga haters can shut up

[@swervo4067]

there’s sga haters?? their lives gotta b miserable 😭

[@ItsZoro999]

@@swervo4067fr though how they gonna hate when he scores 30 pretty much every night

[@Fier07112]

Was big on SGA since he was drafted. Ppl thought I was crazy and a most still do. SGA is a hooper 💯🎯 8:21 had me crying 😂😭

[@dvsvids1970]

SGA reminds me of dwade change of pace and Kobe counters to everything the defense throws at him. Obviously not as great as those players yet but who knows what the future holds. Thanks for the great video putting a light on his genius

[@HoopVenue]

Love the comp, thanks for watching!

[@user-dc7um4pr3f]

I think your breakdown is excellent. He is a contradiction in that he plays with great patience and is willing to reset, but he also doesn't over dribble... It's weird for an isolation player to not want to show off their handle. Shai can dribble probably just a little below the level of an Iverson or Kyrie, but his mentality is more of a Kobe, Oscar Robertson, or Michael Jordan. He wants to work smart and not hard and score with as little moves as possible. He doesn't shoot a lot of threes so controlling the pace, not over dribbling, etc. is what helps him score 30 a game as a guard without launching a lot of threes. There's a great maturity to his game.

[@HoopVenue]

I love your take on patient but not *too* patient, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@HapticNoise]

he's such an insanely smart player. wicked improvements year over year. can't wait to see what this season brings. the rest of the team is getting really strong now so he has an awesome opportunity to add some creative passing to his bag. i think if he's able to add that along with slightly better efficiency from deep in the coming years, you'd be looking at a SERIOUSLY dominant player

[@kuruptzZz]

Track star mother, basketball coach father...explains a lot of this! the combination of athleticism and skill is something to behold

[@meljay337]

I just been binging shai content and ofc I had to come revisit this gem. ✌🏾

[@HoopVenue]

New Shai content soon !!

[@ulyssessanders9178]

He's a 6'6" Kyrie Irving with better defensive potential. He's special and he plays his game with a high IQ.

[@zenitsuthunder3946]

He is slowly getting a confident 3 point shot.

[@ulyssessanders9178]

@@zenitsuthunder3946 I agree but I think it's gonna show this season

[@splash_basketball]

IMO he kinda moves like Lillard, very similar flow but maybe slightly less fluid

[@zenitsuthunder3946]

@@splash_basketball he has his own speed. Lillard moves quicker often but Shai times his acceleration and deceleration very well.

[@CellThoGoat]

I would say Michael Jordan with less athleticism and better handlers

[@raulrxmirez]

8:15 is all you need to see to know shai's body

[@xinliao9954]

Thanks for the meticulous breakdown. its helping in breaking down my own game and constructing a new set of moves.

[@tommymanhire7465]

This is a banger of an analysis. Very good video.

[@HoopVenue]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@chiefekonomist3914]

excellent video. the comparison to the D1 player at the rec earned my sub. it perfectly encapsulates his whole "i'm at half speed but still busting their ass" mode. But at the NBA level, it's really unfathomable. Also, your follower's comparison to Barry Sanders too. spot on.

[@Vasco224]

He’s so good at getting where he wants to and no defender in the league could really stop it unless he bounces the ball off his own foot, plus he’s a threat on defense too

[@Kemset972]

Great video !! but at @13:23 i don't think he reacted to it. More so he baited the help defense. From the start he must have recognized that the right lane was bigger than the left. So I order to open it more he fake drived left to counter with the spin move that allowed him to seal the first defender.

[@Gvhnknh]

Top 5 smoothest player in the nba. He got a nasty midrange game. That punch dribble pull up is one for the books

[@quantum_beeb]

Dude is so nice. Excited to see both his and Morant’s game down the road

[@goktugblack]

OKC is the most exciting team of last 15 years of so IMO. SGA, Giddy, Holmgren and others are very unique players with very different skill sets. Apart from that these moves by SGA are very injury-prone and I hope this young man does not injure himself.

[@Azariah00]

EASILY !

[@Cam10_24]

Bro I love your videos I can watch this all day

[@HoopVenue]

That means a lot!

[@undeadnlegend582]

I love Shai’s game. Great video, all of that being said and he’s one of the most clutch players in the league. He’s had great potential ever since being in the league and even before that. Man went to work and has improved every season. Love seeing my favorite player blossom into an absolute superstar. He’s always had that craftiness and creativity in his game and have been a huge fan of it for a long time. Could never get old of watching him play. I’m excited to see how my team does this year!!!

[@ryanocerous6060]

Great video dude

[@HoopVenue]

Thank you!

[@PLP0321]

SGA's game is just really smooth, nice, and all around fundamentally sound. He plays very controlled ball and at his own pace. MVP status.

[@kooli3229]

He also almost always attacks the top of his defenders foot. Blows past them everytime

[@sabrifilms198]

bro I love it at 10:04 when Green scolds Kuminga for letting Shai tool on him

[@soulofmo]

it’s so great being a thunder fan

[@muvzyhoops]

best 20 min nba vid ive watched in my life dude wow

[@HoopVenue]

That means a lot, glad you enjoyed!

[@Wonk_Gnome]

I don’t think we’re taking enough about his feet dragging and how he angles his feet, like yeah he has a crazy ankles, but his feet just normal dribbling are dragging. Idk if it’s just me tho

[@HoopVenue]

Nah you're 100% right, all of the game's greatest slashers have unique "shin angles" and that has a lot to do with foot placement, you'll notice similar things with a guy like DWade!

[@Koke45]

Great video breakdown 👌

[@jayborough9185]

OKC is going to be so much fun this watch this upcoming season!

[@NOMAD10671]

Nice breakdown... LIKED & SUBSCRIBED

[@HoopVenue]

Thank you!

[@djhasta5031]

Shai has perfected the push off.

[@snupedummy]

That’s a fact 😂 ima call it a nudge

[@zenitsuthunder3946]

just like kyrie. that offhand creates enough separation for him to score

[@MikeTheNBAGuy]

And this didn't even cover his playmaking and defensive potential. With his teamates FINALLY improving around him, I wouldn't be surprised if SGA is viewed as a top-10 player by many after this season

[@HoopVenue]

100%!

[@CymaticsFZ]

you wouldn’t say he was already a top 10 player last season?

[@MikeTheNBAGuy]

@CymaticsFZ Hard to say tbh, certainly borderline, but I said in my comment "viewed as by most" because the vast majority certainly don't consider him top 10 atm

[@CymaticsFZ]

@@MikeTheNBAGuy i hear you, wasn’t sure of it myself but definitely can’t name 15 players better than him RN

[@reelcrib5811]

impressive attention to detail, especially on the ankles!

[@HoopVenue]

Appreciate that!

[@MADDIIXX]

one of few players ever where’s there’s just literally no comparison. nobody has ever played like he does. it’s insane. closest thing is honestly MJ but i don’t like throwing that around

[@DEVILONBOTHSHOULDERS]

i think the best comp is to say hes bizarro dwayne wade instead of using a generational ability to speed up, shai is uniquely able to slow back down also nice pfp shoutout reptilianclubboyz

[@Jbeaming1]

Great video. Appreciate his game even more now

[@HoopVenue]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Snail.Farmer]

6'6 with a 6'11 wingspan, add that hes moves like a point guard and handles and reads like chris paul. Dude is unstoppable. if he had a bit more of a higher release on his jump shot he would be a mvp candidate every year.

[@CashKetchum718]

So a high release would make him an mvp candidate every year? Not better D or better reads, but a higher release, gtfo

[@mentallyinsane3344]

​@@CashKetchum718i mean, i guess. If he had a higher release on his jump shot he'd be making a lot more threes, the biggest weakness in his game rn

[@d3va383]

⁠@@CashKetchum718what? He’s one of the best defenders in the NBA for his position. He averaged more steals and blocks than Giannis last season. He was in the top 30 for defensive rating last season too. Better then guys like OG and Dillon Brooks who both made all defensive teams. His 3 pointers are his biggest weakness. If he had a higher release point, he would make more 3s. Also I personally think he’s a better shooting guard than point guard. I think the thunder should play Giddey at the point.

[@ichirosuzuki2252]

he doesn't read like chris paul, dude, stop it.

[@ichirosuzuki2252]

the thunder DO play giddey at the point. But when shae gets the ball in ISO he just does his thing@@d3va383

[@jordancarlin9687]

“ it’s not about sheer speed “ * his mom was a sprinter *

[@noahx.classic]

Really great at reg season. But lets remember that playoff pace and defense is something else. I would love to see him in more of those situations.

[@nickmcmillian8502]

My favorite player to watch in the league. His game is just poetry in motion🥰🤩

[@strongmoore5007]

earned a sub, great video!

[@HoopVenue]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jcjcviews]

This guy uses his thin body and tall, lean physique to the utmost. He's like a gazelle cutting through the apex predators. Moreover, like a race car driver, Shai always seems aware of the terrain. He does the landscape of the track. He's so sure-footed it's unbelievable. Added to his ability to protect the ball by extending his long arms, his moves are pure "professional," mafia-like, nothing personal. Shai comes directly for you, and like that Fantastic Four cartoon character, his rubber body genius does the rest. No touching him; the touching is in reverse.

[@pure2291]

Had to sub for this one. Great breakdown

[@DrZachyboi]

Honestly he’s kinda like a less vertical Michael Jordan

[@Ahn-fc7ic]

Keep up with the great content bro. As a guard, you best believe that i'm also using this as inspiration for my game 🏀

[@Rajonrondoo99]

Honestly never really watched Shai too much and kinda thought he was a lil over rated and just getting good stats on a bad team but being from Canada and watching his play In the World Cup changed my perspective heavily I watched most games and I don’t think he missed a single clutch shot, he really is impossible to guard and he always plays under control. If Canada can get wiggins and Boucher or trey lyles they have a good chance next year with Shai and Murray handling the scoring and Dort and brooks handling the defence. We just need another big or two

[@dez6099]

he has nasty footwork. I'm really fast but no where as good footwork wise as him, and after you cross over if you can make the right steps directly towards the basket its so effective getting past your defender like he does. also has a strong core, he stops and keeps his balance so good and makes those contact finishes look so easy

[@nolimitr86]

"sent to a different dimension for research purposes"💀

[@johnrouguine3090]

Hoop Venue, I always show ur videos to my wife and 5 kids and tell ‘em how great SGA is.

[@surielaj9486]

Good analysis video

[@yessirskiiiii1654]

@hoop venue how do I check all of antmans post up attempts this season with videos?

[@osamatuma9005]

I have a question if u charge in witjba shoulder to someojes chest is thay not a charge

[@ShowTheOreo]

Shai could be an all time great top 20 player. He's only 25 and already earned 1st team all NBA, he'll be in the MVP discussions this season.

[@juju4evapaidddd]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 can we keep the throwback breakdowns like gilbert arenas, vince carter, andre iguodala, rip hamilton

[@Oluwa5]

The way he explodes of dribble is nice, thats what im trying to train myself to do.

[@ichirosuzuki2252]

10:40. Pump faking to make it seem as though he would go for the lay-up, taking the step forward with the back foot planted, then actaully just taking the jumper when the defender bites is so disgusting. How do you guard that. On second look it seems like he travels because the front foot shifts forward a bit, but if he kept it planted it would be the same result.

[@HoopVenue]

Questionable or not, the footwork is so impeccable!

[@MrDeanj77]

I think SGA has the best footwork and handles. Dude must skate a lot. Hockey players do have good foot work

[@wooslimeball]

best handles?

[@MrDeanj77]

@@wooslimeball that’s my opinion

[@josiahmitchell4424]

Been my fav player since his Kentucky days. I knew he could be a good player in the league like a borderline all star or all time role player but when Cp3 joined okc I saw the immediate impact. When he left I knew the keys were now Shai's and that it was a matter of time before he took off. Glad to see I was right as he is now an mvp candidate and leading the best and most clear young core in the league

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Jaylen Brown your next video Hoop Venue 😤😤😤😤😤😤

[@Tha_fella]

The clippers and ballmer are still sick 4 yrs later 😂😂😂 shai in his own right is worth 3 1st okc won all the way around in this trade hands down bro it’s not even fair

[@hafblkhafamazin6179]

that foot drag makes friction, so my guess is that is what allows him to go stop so quickly and takes lil beating off that lead plant foot. I wonder if that is all thought out and calculated, or if he is just that freakishly gifted it is just natural for him to do regardless of if he is aware of the actual mechanics of it all...Dont appear he is "thinking" long between moves so must have crazy fast mental processing of what he is seeing and anticipating...

[@HoopVenue]

Amazing observation!

[@Ricogrime]

Nice attention to detail! Shout out to that leg sleeve (skims) 😂

[@chrishosey7535]

Needs to become more resilient in playoffs situations, but other than that, he's already one of the best 1 on 1 scorers I've seen.

[@HoopVenue]

Tbf, we haven’t really seen him in those situations! Against top 5 and top 10 defenses he’s continuously upped his game over the past few seasons, which is usually a pretty good indicator.

[@chrishosey7535]

@@HoopVenue Fair, but his seeing his meh performance in the play in games makes me want to see him in the offs

[@808bboarder]

@@chrishosey7535 Meh performance?? Against the Pels him and Giddey carried. OKC had no front court against TWolves and Nikeil knows his game and played amazing Defense. You left out Houston Bubble series Shai and Rookie Shai vs GSW smh

[@chrishosey7535]

@@808bboarder In the two play in games they had, he played 1 good half. That's meh He was not a first option in those series, so they hold little weight to me.

[@808bboarder]

@@chrishosey7535You’re exposing yourself right now. Shai has made Play-In/Post Season more years than he’s missed it. Dude just turned 25 and has been the face of his team which had a Rookie 2nd RD pick playing Center last season. SuperStars make adjustments mid game and close. Go look up 3rd qtr Shai stats. There’s a reason he’s the only guy who outscored opponents by himself in 3rd qtrs during FIBA multiple times. You are every fan who doesn’t watch him. It’s funny af how casuals push back on a 1st Team All-NBA guard who was top 5 in MVP voting 😂

[@Tha_fella]

Ima a huuuuge okc fan and at first I hated this trade but that first yr with cp3 I seen the potential just needed players around him and you see the result now how efficient and smooth bro is I give it one more yr before he’s literally talked about every game on ESPN fs1 etc in the likes of Steph Luka Kyrie Brunson etc…..etc…..he’s a dog and extremely humble love sga man he’s perfect for the thunder and presti will eventually have his 4th mvp in less than 2 decades

[@vittiriowashington5211]

His lay up package is basic but effective, how he kisses the top tier of the blackboard on almost every attempt.

[@IGLISALIAJ-gl2zd]

Great video this definitely will help me in my mext season aldo saved it so i can watch it again ur so underated 🙏🏼

[@HoopVenue]

glad you enjoyed!

[@yourtakenetwork4974]

Great breakdown

[@shawnsecretan4861]

I grew up watching Jordan an Kobe play. He might be up next 🤔 very similar

[@THEronleon1]

This is all instinct. Most players just have the feel

[@dimelo58]

He’s slowly becoming my favorite player.

[@kevinGvue]

Dude is so deadly. One of my favorite guys to watch playing. He’s so smooth with the moves.

[@Derr95]

MVP! He is unstoppable, CLUTCHPLAYER and so smart, good defender…..

[@gjfwang]

If you’re wondering why Thunder aren’t winning championships, average nba team offense is 1.14 points per possession. He might be one of the best iso scorers but you want as few isolations as possible rather than being good at it.

[@monoloworld]

The thing is he thinking while doing this or it’s just off instinct cause if he is thinking about these moves it’s amazing

[@redtaipei]

To me he’s > Ant…Ant is Rose 2.0 but SGA is closer to Jordan in terms of creativity, 4Q clutch genes, footwork, fadeaway, counters, etc not too mention his D. He will also have longevity as he doesn’t need to go 100% on his jumps; just so efficient with every move to conserve energy and minimize injury. His IQ is thru the roof and plays with so much poise and confidence. He’s already playing like a chess master vs checker players. Loved this video as it shows all the details of this maestro in action.

[@noamnakache-3604]

Nice breakdown! Could you do a breakdown on why is kuka doncic unstoppable in fiba?

[@lotuslife3239]

My glitch 6'9 TMac been dominating with Orlando even got Giannis, Lamelo, AD, Wiseman, Mobley, etc. All above 90 overall all on 1 team with me but my 92 overall Suggs while great lockdown and can catch and shoot and dunk on ppl I feel like I should trade him for Shai. A Lamelo and Shai backcourt would be terrifying outside of my unstoppable frontcourt

[@_DinoSoorus_]

got that alien dribble style with his flexibility

[@RadicalEduction]

Shai has slinky ankles it's crazy to watch

[@17thN.O]

Like the Alvin Kamara of basketball.

[@HoopVenue]

My ankles hurt just watching him play.

[@nflfan5938]

It’s crazy that He was kind of a nobody with the clippers and now is a MVP candidate with the thunder shai really stepped up his game

[@kingaries5178]

Can you do Darius Garland next?

[@michaela2870]

He reminds me of Jordan. Graceful and talented baller. 🏀🔥

[@litan114]

1:37 : he really like to burst while gong b/w his legs - hehe

[@DrenchEm-]

Nobody talks about how the Clippers dropped the ball trading him lol. At this point in their careers I’m taking Shai over PG anyday.

[@eniolaolujimi5769]

man his game is so eloquent

[@Sup_bro23]

His ball handling, footwork, mid range, finishing, post up, and shot fakes are all elite. He’s mastered the drive and then Barkley (drive into post up) game.

[@SamerA3737]

30 5 5 1.5spg 1.0bpg 50% fg. 90%ft How many other players accomplished this over a season?

[@iamsincere23]

Man when he picks up his dribble that's when hes really a threat like he becomes lethal SGA is sick never seen nothing so slow and fast so ugly and smooth everytime i think hes finally gonna miss he makes it with pure skill and accuracy trick me everytime😂

[@Mr.Green918]

This guy always makes me rage on 2k 😂

[@mistahsheesh]

aleksa avramovic has joined the chat

[@chynachan]

Its called split-stepping.

[@remybeatz2512]

His footwork is amazing. Wow

[@monkeyhighRTD]

SGA plays very elegant ball. Such a high iq and poise player

[@llNado]

Definitely my 24 template, with some tweaks 😂

[@HoopVenue]

Respect that for sure, cooking everybody.