Mike Breen is not handing out compliments lightly, but Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has clearly earned his respect.
The longtime NBA broadcaster recently spoke about the Oklahoma City Thunder star on SiriusXM NBA Radio, and he didn’t hold back when describing what makes Gilgeous-Alexander stand out as a franchise centerpiece.
“He's everything that you want the NBA to be about,” Breen said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “He's everything you want in a franchise player in terms of his character, in terms of his leadership, in terms of his agenda and wanting to win, and then you take in his unbelievable talent and the efficient way he puts up all these numbers.”
Breen also pushed back on some of the criticism that follows Gilgeous-Alexander, especially when it comes to the way he gets to his spots on the floor.
“He's obviously a winner, so I hate that so much is focused on the push-offs, on some of the drives, but I think the NBA did a great job this offseason, and kind of determining that ‘Yeah, some of that stuff's allowed as long as it's not forceful,’” the 65-year-old Breen added.
Gilgeous-Alexander, now in his ninth season and eighth with the Thunder, has become the face of a team that has climbed all the way to the top. With him leading the way, Oklahoma City won the NBA championship in 2025, the franchise’s first since moving to Oklahoma City.
“He is everything that you want the NBA to be about. He is everything you want in a franchise player.”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 4, 2026
Mike Breen with HIGH praise for Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 🗣️
(via @SiriusXMNBA) pic.twitter.com/lmZosEGrwl
The 28-year-old is off to another strong start in the 2026-27 season, averaging 28.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.0 assists through seven games.
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What makes the move stand out is how little downside there is for the Thunder. Terry can be folded into the roster now without forcing a long-term commitment, which fits a team that has had to stay nimble while managing absences. It is the kind of transaction that says as much about the current injury picture as it does about Terry himself. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Finally Get A Needed Injury Break Before Cavaliers Rematch
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been at the center of it, pouring in 43 points in the recent win and carrying a remarkable run against Cleveland that has seen him top 30 points in seven straight games. Another big night would move him past Tracy McGrady for the longest such streak against the Cavaliers, giving this rematch a little more individual history to go with the team stakes. [Read more 🡒]
Thunder Suddenly Face A Brutal Question About Their Season
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Sam Presti had pointed to health as a major factor in how far this group could go, and the current injury picture has made that caveat impossible to ignore. The Thunder can still lean on their structure and depth, but the bigger question now is how long they can keep that edge while waiting for important pieces to come back and stabilize a lineup that has suddenly been forced to absorb a lot of damage. [Read more 🡒]