In the spring of 2024 — before the Most Valuable Player trophies and could-be title runs — a celebrated part-hooper, part-philosopher from Oklahoma took to social media, pondering aloud a simple question: “No offense, but how are you supposed to defend this?” 1,023 buckets, one scoring title, and 400 defenders later, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s buzzsaw through the Western Conference bracket confirmed that said inquiry went answerless a full year later. As if absorbing additional superpowers after claiming the NBA’s most celebrated individual prize, Gilgeous-Alexander blessed the video reels, perhaps most notably through a size-up stepback 3-pointer that boosted the Oklahoma City Thunder’s halftime advantage. Well-positioned for an offensive masterclass by then, Gilgeous-Alexander kept the bucket-getting display flowing thereafter, highlight among them arriving after an off-hand, and-one bank shot, a midrange score that sparked Game Two’s runaway result. Eclipsing 30+ points in each of his last five postseason appearances, Gilgeous-Alexander’s blend of consistency and execution led to nightmares for the Minnesota Timberwolves on May 22, 2025. The box score read as follows: 38 points (on 12-of-21 shooting, and 13-of-15 on foul shots), three rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and a 3-pointer. · May 22, 2025