Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

The dreaded Sophomore Slump has claimed too many victims, across too many sports, to list here.

Gilgeous-Alexander probably had more of an excuse than most to fall prey: moving to a new city and team; switching positions from the point to the off guard; playing in a presumed rebuilding atmosphere rather than contending.

However SGA, another of this exciting generation of Canadian ballers, has turned the slump on its head, thriving as the main man in OKC.

At present, he's averaging 21 points and shooting over 40% from deep. But the devil in the detail comes when comparing this season to his rookie numbers with the Clippers.

Season 

MINS 

FG

  FGA

  FG%

3P 

3PA

  3P%

  FT

FTA 

FT% 

AST 

STL

  BLK

TOV 

PTS

2018/19

26.5

4.2

8.7

47.6

0.6

1.7

36.7

1.9

2.4

80.0

3.3

1.2

0.5

1.7

10.8

2019/20

35.3

8.0

16.8

47.6

1.8

4.4

40.9

3.2

4.4

72.7

3.4

0.7

0.7

1.9

21.0

Per: Basketball Reference

Despite the increased usage, SGA has increased his production across the board, save for slight drop in steals and free throw percentage.

The most impressive part of his continued rise is that he's playing a different position. SGA is playing alongside surefire Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul, so he's moved across the the 2-guard position, which takes in a completely different set of disciplines, and adapted seamlessly.

Gilgeous-Alexander doesn't possess elite athleticism, but at 6'5” he's got decent size to play off the ball and has a Harden like ability to decelerate. He has the patience and shiftiness of a 10 year vet when driving, finishing through and around players that should be able to keep the 2nd year guard in front of them.

Throw in his excellent defensive instincts and the Thunder have their star.

 

Kendrick Nunn

The rookie who came from the clouds, Nunn has been an early season revelation for Miami, starting every game, leading the team in scoring whilst Jimmy Butler was sidelined and as of publication averaging 16.6 points on the season.

Whilst he has slowed down with Butler taking away some of his touches, Nunn has still found ways to be an effective release valve for his star as one of the cadre of red hot Miami spot up shooters.

The rookie's story has been told by now: undrafted in 2018; on the Warriors G-League squad last season (couldn't they do with him now) and brought in by Miami on a training camp contract. He impressed the Heat power brokers enough to land a minimum deal and has thoroughly outperformed that so far.

The Heat are loaded with solid defenders and spot up shooters, but Nunn's ability to do those things and create off the dribble is what makes him so important to coach Spoelstra.

Whilst Butler was out, the lefty's ability to break down the defense and score or kick the ball out to a shooter kept the offense ticking over. Now, he's one of those shooters catching Butler's passes, with the added bonus of being able to attack a scrambling defense.

Nunn is highly unlikely to be a star in the NBA, but a career as a solid role player beckons.

Not bad for an undrafted kid.

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