Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Makes Jalen Williams Admission Amid Scottie Pippen Comparison

Williams' emergence as a premium scorer and willing sidekick for MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been met with praise in the NBA world. Pippen, a six-time champion with the Chicago Bulls, made headlines when he said that Williams has the ability to have a greater career than even he enjoyed as a former zero-star recruit at the University of Central Arkansas.

"If this kid continues to shoot the 3-ball the way that he shoots it, I'm not going to sit here and argue with nobody and say that you can compare us. Because you can't," Pippen told ESPN. "He wins."

The Thunder selected Williams 12th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft; he became the first Santa Clara University player since Steve Nash to enter the NBA as a lottery pick. Three years later, "J-Dub" is an All-Star who merited third-team All-NBA and second-team All-Defense honors.

Gilgeous-Alexander could not be prouder.

"'Dub' has made tremendous strides," Gilgeous-Alexander told ESPN. "He is one of the biggest reasons why we're here. Him being able to shoulder what he does every night on both ends of the floor takes a lot of pressure off everyone else around him, including myself."

Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander have combined for 291 points so far in the Finals; only three duos, including Jordan and Pippen in 1993, have accounted for more through five games in the championship series' history. And at just 24 years old, Williams might just be getting started.

"He is a gamer. He is a winner. But he continues to get better in every situation," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "He is a Swiss Army knife, and he's only getting better with every game he plays. I'm excited to see where he ends up."