Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emphasized that the Oklahoma City Thunder are not letting national attention affect their focus as they enter the 2024-25 NBA season. Following a strong start, including a victory over the Denver Nuggets, the Thunder guard stated that the team remains indifferent to public perception.
Gilgeous-Alexander shared his stance in response to increased media buzz, stating, via Brandon Rahbar, “We don’t care. When we sucked, there was talk about us sucking and we didn’t care.”
The Thunder head into the new season with heightened anticipation after achieving a 50-win season, a division title, and a top-seed playoff berth in 2023-24, the franchise’s first since 2016. Oklahoma City’s youthful roster set a record as the youngest team ever to secure the top spot in the Western Conference, showing significant growth under head coach Mark Daigneault’s guidance.
Gilgeous-Alexander, who had a breakout season last year, has been pivotal in Oklahoma City’s recent success. With three straight wins to start the season, including an impressive game against Denver, the Thunder have demonstrated they are not easily distracted by outside opinions.
In 2024, Oklahoma City won its first playoff series since 2016, sweeping the New Orleans Pelicans in the first round before falling to the Dallas Mavericks in a hard-fought six-game series.
