“We’re Looking at a Kobe Bryant Being Created”: Lou Williams Heaps High Praise on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander After Stellar MVP Campaign
In the high-stakes world of NBA stardom, comparisons to legends are not given lightly. But when Lou Williams — a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year, respected veteran, and one of the few players to have shared the court with both Kobe Bryant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — speaks, the basketball world listens.
In a recent interview reflecting on this season’s MVP race and the meteoric rise of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams made a jaw-dropping statement:
“We’re looking at a Kobe Bryant being created.”
It’s not just the talent that impresses Williams — it’s the mindset, the leadership, the relentless pursuit of greatness. And coming from a man who intimately experienced Bryant’s legendary work ethic and late-game brilliance, this praise carries serious weight.
From Shadow to Spotlight: The Rise of SGA
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey to NBA superstardom hasn’t been marked by instant headlines or flashy hype. Drafted 11th overall in 2018, the Canadian-born guard quietly honed his craft through his early years with the Los Angeles Clippers — including a season alongside Lou Williams — before being traded to the Thunder in the blockbuster Paul George deal.
That trade may now go down as one of the most one-sided in recent memory.
Over the past two seasons, SGA has blossomed into the face of the franchise and now the 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player, leading the Thunder to the NBA Finals for the first time since the Kevin Durant–Russell Westbrook era. Averaging 30+ points, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds per game, his impact on both ends of the floor has drawn comparisons to the all-time greats.
But for Williams, the numbers only tell part of the story.
“It’s the way he processes the game. The way he wants the ball in the big moments. He’s not trying to be a star — he’s trying to win, and do it at the highest level,” Williams said. “That’s Kobe stuff.”
A Comparison Rooted in Experience
Lou Williams is uniquely qualified to make such a comparison. He spent several seasons with Kobe Bryant during the twilight of the Black Mamba’s career, witnessing firsthand what separated Bryant from the rest.
“Kobe had this edge,” Williams recalled. “He approached every day like he was chasing something, even when he’d already done it all. I see that same energy in Shai now — that hunger, that unshakable confidence.”
Williams also noted that SGA, like Bryant, isn’t afraid of the moment or the criticism. He leads by example, doesn’t shy away from accountability, and lifts the play of everyone around him.
“He’s not loud. But when he walks in the room, you feel it. That’s Kobe,” Williams said.
Cementing a New Era in OKC
Gilgeous-Alexander has transformed the Thunder into one of the NBA’s most exciting teams, paired with rising stars like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. But while OKC’s youth movement is impressive, it’s Shai’s leadership and quiet dominance that have fueled the team’s success.
“He’s got them believing,” Williams said. “He’s doing it the right way — not chasing highlights, but championships.”
With the Thunder currently battling the Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals, SGA’s Kobe-like path to postseason glory is still being written. But whether or not he brings home the title this year, the writing is on the wall: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has arrived — and the league knows it.
A Legacy in the Making
Lou Williams’ comparison is more than just flattery — it’s a signal to the basketball world that a new generation’s torchbearer has been identified.
“Kobe was one of one. But Shai…he’s got that same DNA,” Williams said. “He’s writing his own legacy — and it’s going to be legendary.”
And if Lou Will is right, fans may be witnessing the rise of a player who doesn’t just emula
te greatness — he defines it for a new era.
