But like Dame for example consistently gets ranked below shai despite both being on non playoff teams and putting up very similar stats. I’m not obligated to defend dame anymore but as someone who watched all his games last year I don’t see how you can use age to put him below shai.
Having a top 10 season doesn’t make you a top 10 player though. Those are are different lists entirely. If he drops off this year and doesn’t make an all star team/all nba or even the playoffs then it’ll prove he had a fluke season and that those top 10 rankings were silly. Until he makes it a consistent thing like Steph/Bron/Dame/Giannis/Joker/Tatum have he shouldn’t be considered a top 10 player.
So yes he had a top 10 season last year but right now I’d still take:
Joker, Giannis, Steph, KD, Bron, Luka, Tatum, Kawhi, Embiid, Jimmy, Dame, Booker, AD and maybe Ja over him (if all are healthy) for 1 season. So to me he is a top 13-15 player in the NBA right now. Not top 10 yet. But if he does it again then yeah he’ll be top 10.
Shai’s biggest knock is that he didn’t make the playoffs last year, but Luka didn’t even make the play-in. Yes, Luka has performed in the playoffs before, but I don’t know why it’s crazy to say that they’re at least somewhat comparable
Luka has proven himself in the post season, Shai has not. Shai is the only player I’ve seen this sub give the benefit of the doubt before they’ve performed in the playoffs. Can he end up neck and neck with Luka one day? Absolutely. Is he there now just because he had a good regular season? No.
Shai no question. People were already shoving him in the top 10 last season and I keep seeing people saying he’s comparable to Luka.
Shai being a top 10 player this season isn’t crazy at all.
He can be a top 10 player this season. My point was people were already putting him there last season when he hadn’t earned it.
I mean, he finished 5th in MVP voting, so top 10 isn’t crazy at all.
It is crazy when the top 12 is stacked. Jokic Giannis Steph Luka Tatum Embiid Book KD Lebron AD Butler Dame
It just seems like all those players had to do significantly more to break into the top 10. But Shai is likeable so he gets put in prematurely.
Some of these guys are getting old, it’s not crazy at all to think that Shai is now better than them. I wouldn’t agree, but I don’t think it’s crazy.
But like Dame for example consistently gets ranked below shai despite both being on non playoff teams and putting up very similar stats. I’m not obligated to defend dame anymore but as someone who watched all his games last year I don’t see how you can use age to put him below shai.
Similar stats on offense. They aren’t close in defense. Shai is legit on defense too.
lol
For the third time, it’s very possible he can be better than them this season, but what did he do last season to be better than 3 of those guys.
Yes but name 10 players who had a better season than him last year?
Dude had a crazy season and just because the thunder suck he doesn’t get the respect.
Having a top 10 season doesn’t make you a top 10 player though. Those are are different lists entirely. If he drops off this year and doesn’t make an all star team/all nba or even the playoffs then it’ll prove he had a fluke season and that those top 10 rankings were silly. Until he makes it a consistent thing like Steph/Bron/Dame/Giannis/Joker/Tatum have he shouldn’t be considered a top 10 player.
So yes he had a top 10 season last year but right now I’d still take:
Joker, Giannis, Steph, KD, Bron, Luka, Tatum, Kawhi, Embiid, Jimmy, Dame, Booker, AD and maybe Ja over him (if all are healthy) for 1 season. So to me he is a top 13-15 player in the NBA right now. Not top 10 yet. But if he does it again then yeah he’ll be top 10.
What makes Luka better? Shai is lower usage and is the far superior on the defensive end. Shai is also more efficient. They’re at least neck and neck.
This is what I’m walking about. They don’t belong in the same sentence
Shai’s biggest knock is that he didn’t make the playoffs last year, but Luka didn’t even make the play-in. Yes, Luka has performed in the playoffs before, but I don’t know why it’s crazy to say that they’re at least somewhat comparable
Luka has proven himself in the post season, Shai has not. Shai is the only player I’ve seen this sub give the benefit of the doubt before they’ve performed in the playoffs. Can he end up neck and neck with Luka one day? Absolutely. Is he there now just because he had a good regular season? No.
Thank you. Odds are Shai will be in that conversation, and deservingly so, by the end of this season. But he isn’t there yet.