NBA veteran Danny Green gives props where they are due. Green has kept it real when giving his opinions on current NBA players. His take on Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is no different, except it might put Luka Doncic on alert. Green believes both players are future NBA MVPs, but he gave a few more points to Gilgeous-Alexander for his unique style.

“[Luka Doncic] makes the team better. He's closer to [LeBron James] than anybody in that fashion, more of a triple-double guy. I think Shai has a deeper bag,” Green said via Tidal League.

Green acknowledges that both players are offensively skilled, but believes Gilgeous-Alexander has a smoother way of using his body. In addition, Green thinks Gilgeous-Alexander has more of an in-between mid-range game.

Article Continues Below
More Thunder News
Adam Silver, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton
Adam Silver fires back at NBA ratings discussions from fansTomer Azarly ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) and Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) and guard Andrew Nembhard (2) battle for the loose ball during the fourth quarter during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center.
Lou Williams reveals who’s to blame for Thunder’s Game 1 collapsePreston Byers ·
Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (bottom) react after a play against the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center
Why Thunder enter Game 2 confident in its ‘response’ vs. PacersJosue Pavon ·
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
3 adjustments Thunder must make after NBA Finals Game 1 catastrophe vs. PacersRandall Barnes ·
Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) reaches for the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Pacers-Thunder Game 1 hits record low in views for FinalsZachary Draves ·
Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8) reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers during game one of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center
Thunder’s Jalen Williams reveals biggest issue in 4th quarter meltdown vs PacersJosue Pavon ·

Luka Doncic likely respects Green's take on the Thunder guard, but he definitely has an argument against it. While he moves slower than most players, Doncic has a unique finesse to his game too. In December 2022, Doncic put up a 60-point triple-double with an array of moves that seemed video game-like.

At the same time, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bested Doncic in a 2023 Canada-Slovenia FIBA World Cup match. Gilgeous-Alexander scored 31 points as smoothly as Danny Green describes. That game was a preview of the many battles the two future NBA MVP-caliber players will have.

The ever-loaded Western Conference will see historic competition in the race for the NBA Playoffs. Perhaps Danny Green will get an on-the-court look at Doncic and Gilgeous-Alexander to determine who really has the deeper bag.