Doc Rivers still fond of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, admits having hard time of parting ways in 2019 with Clippers

Despite the truth that it’s been almost 4 years since they’ve parted ways, coach Doc Rivers still holds a excessive regard for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander spent his promising rookie season in the Los Angeles Clippers final 2018-2019 season, the time when Rivers was still calling the pictures for the franchise. As such, when the younger guard was discovered to be traded in a package deal for Paul George with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the veteran mentor admitted that he shaped second ideas.

“One of my favorite guys. Reminds me a lot of Tyrese (Maxey) just as far as his approach,” Rivers stated of Gilgeous-Alexander, via Clemente Almanza of USA TODAY. “He’s one of those young guys in his rookie year that you couldn’t coach enough. That loved being coached, overworked and stood for everything that’s good in the game. I say the same thing about Tyrese. I’ve had several those (type of players) but (SGA) stands out. Quiet demeanor but tough, and you knew this was coming. At least I did. I believe that. 

“The day we decided to make that move when I was in LA, I was not so sure about it — even though what we did was phenomenal, too. I kept thinking this kid’s gonna be special, and I’m really happy that he is because he’s a good kid.”

Amid his strong rookie marketing campaign, the Clippers can solely do nothing however pull the set off in order to accumulate George from OKC to make a formidable staff in Los Angeles with the newly-signed Kawhi Leonard. Since then, Gilgeous-Alexander blossomed in his personal ways because the chief of Thunder’s youth program.

The Canadian surprise guard has been in 4 seasons now with OKC as their franchise centerpiece. This 2022-23 marketing campaign, he continues to thrive and set up himself as an All-Star-caliber participant, averaging a profession excessive 31.4 factors to go with 5.8 assists, 4.8 boards and 1.7 steals in a strong 50.5 p.c capturing.