Last season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put together a run for the ages with a regular season MVP, an NBA championship, a Finals MVP and a scoring title. Seasons like that don’t slip by quietly, and that’s exactly when the conversation starts to get louder.
Shai still has work to do in the hardware department, but he’s already in that zone where Kobe Bryant’s name gets thrown around. With his footwork, his midrange game, his poise, and his 6-foot-6 frame, the similarities are there for all to see. And with Shai himself admitting Kobe was his favorite player, the comparison feels natural.
But for Shai, it isn’t about settling for a comparison or idolizing Kobe. In a recent interview, he said he also wants to be better than the five-time NBA champion.
“I pick up a basketball to be the best. If you’re asking me if I want to be better than Kobe, of course I do. Whether I get there or not, we’ll find out.”
SGA says he wants to be better than Kobe
“I pick up a basketball to be the best. If you’re asking me if I want to be better than Kobe, of course I do. Whether I get there or not, we’ll find out.”
(Via @GQMagazine / h/t @TalkBasket ) pic.twitter.com/CpXE41LWAD
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 13, 2025
