On the latest episode of 7PM in Brooklyn, a Wave Original podcast, Carmelo Anthony broke down Gilgeous-Alexander’s game and explained why the Oklahoma City Thunder star reminds him of the Hall of Famer.
The 10-time All-Star highlighted Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to control the pace of a game.
“He has a little D-Wade,” Anthony said. “I can see that—the shiftiness, the pace, the way that he knows when to take off. He knows when to speed up. He knows when to shoot fake. He knows how to get to his spots.”
Anthony also emphasized Gilgeous-Alexander’s composure under pressure.
“You’re not going to speed him up,” Anthony continued. “He’s going to take whatever you give him… When you talk about the poise of not speeding somebody up, you don’t see that.”
The 26-year-old guard is delivering an MVP-caliber season, leading the league in scoring with 32.8 points per game while averaging 5.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists.
Oklahoma City currently holds the best record in the NBA at 64-12, positioning itself as a title contender.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s efficiency has been a key factor in the Thunder’s dominance. He is shooting at 52% from the field and 90% from the free-throw line.
Anthony’s comparison to Wade is significant given the Miami Heat legend’s three championships and reputation as one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history.
Both players thrive in the midrange, use hesitation moves effectively, and possess a keen ability to navigate traffic in the paint.
However, Gilgeous-Alexander has developed a more methodical style, relying on footwork and controlled movements rather than Wade’s explosive athleticism.
With Gilgeous-Alexander leading the charge, Oklahoma City enters the final stretch of the season as the top seed in the Western Conference.
The Thunder are 14.5 games ahead of the second-place Houston Rockets and have already secured home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
If Gilgeous-Alexander continues his stellar play, he could become the first Thunder player since Russell Westbrook in 2017 to win the MVP award.
