ALL-STAR GAME: SHAQ'S OGS VS. CHUCK'S GLOBAL STARS

February 16, 2025

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Chuck's Global Stars

Press Conference

Championship: Shaq's OGs 41, Chuck's Global Stars 25

Q. Shai, thoughts on that last game, the breaks in the game, just everything that sort of came with this year's format?

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: Yeah, breaks, I guess, weren't ideal. I would rather play without breaks. But I had fun nonetheless. I feel like it was a little bit more towards the competitive side tonight, which is a good feeling. A step in the right direction.

I guess it's up to the guys that handle all that stuff to figure out what's next and how to keep making it more and more interesting, and hopefully we get there one day.

But yeah, I'm glad it's not my job to figure that stuff out, and I'm excited for the second half of the season.

Q. Shai, the Western Conference changed a lot in the last few weeks, big trades, a lot of movement behind you. But you guys are functionally the same, getting healthier. What kind of challenges do you see from behind coming at you guys here in the second half, and how prepared are you to fend that off?

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: Yeah, the Western Conference has always been tough and will always be tough. Challenges all through the conference, it feels like, from 2 through 11.

The teams are good. It's the best league in the world, best players in the world, and there's never a night off in the West so we know that. The challenges are all over the conference. And in the East, obviously.

But we focus on ourselves for the most part. Make sure we are getting better every day, and hopefully when we see our challenges, we're the best version of ourselves when we see them and we advance.

Q. Shai, what did you learn about Victor Wembanyama as his teammate this weekend, and did he seem more into it than most? He seemed really competitive out there.

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: Yes, competitive, smart, like an interesting guy. I heard he goes to bed at 9:00. I heard he reads a lot. That's cool. It's rare to see from a guy so young. Interesting guy.

Q. Shai, now that the weekend is over, when you look at just the branding, there's so much of your face around the city, billboards, obviously your event with your shoe. Someone who doesn't really do it for all of that, have you taken a moment to take in how you have been dubbed as maybe the next face of the NBA or one of the next faces of the NBA, and what emotions come up when you think about that?

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: Yeah, it's super cool. It's obviously a good feeling. I try not to, like you said, worry about those things. But I'd be lying if I said the kid inside of me isn't excited, doesn't look forward to those moments.

But above all, playing basketball at the highest form comes first, and everything else will follow, and that's what I focus on.

Q. You are now a three-time All-Star, but your fellow teammate Jalen Williams this was his first time. Can you talk about how excited you were seeing him out there alongside you as an All-Star this year?

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: Yeah, first and foremost I guarded the hell out of him. He had two points all night.

But yeah, I'm happy for him. Many more to come. Great player in this league. Does so many things for our team. We wouldn't be the team we are without him and that's clear as day as that's why he's here, and I'm excited for him, now and for the future for sure.

Q. First time you're wearing your shoes in an extensive part of the game?

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: I have been playing in them for quite some time now, testing them and stuff. So, I was comfortable in them for sure.

Q. You mentioned the versatility about wearing them on the floor, off the floor. Why was that so important to you?

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: Just speaks to my personality. I have a personality as a basketball player, and I guess as a fashion guy, as well. So, I wanted to make sure I kind of expressed that in my first shoe.

Q. Shai, obviously huge weekend for you, big sneaker launch. I'm curious when you look back on it, now that it's wrapped up, what's a personal highlight for you?

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: Just being with my loved ones, my friends, my family, enjoying the moment with them was the most special. It wouldn't be even close to fun if I was just enjoying it by myself and them having them by my side has really been special, making me laugh, reminiscing on old times, all the good stuff.

So yeah, I'm happy that they came and proud they get to join in this moment.

Q. Shai, there was a moment during that first break in the first game where Mark [Daigneault] returned to the huddle and I don't know what he said. We asked him about it, but I guess he drew up a play that everybody on the team knew. Was kind of like an inside joke for the other guys. What was that moment like for you, and what's it like to see him this weekend in a setting like this as a guy who maybe isn't into these sort of things?

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: Yeah, he for sure is not.

Yeah, it was like funny. Teams obviously scout and know what plays we're running. That's all it was. Mark was about to drop a play and the guys on the team felt like they had seen it before, and they probably have.

But to answer your other question, yeah, it's good for Coach to get out there, I guess. As long as he doesn't change, and I know he won't. I'm happy for him, all his success. He deserves it.

Q. Shai, I don't know if you heard but Draymond Green said pregame on TNT, with Jimmy Butler now in town the Warriors are going to win the championship. I'm wondering what you think about that?

SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER: I'd expect him to say that being on the Golden State Warriors and playing basketball for them. I would hope he wouldn't say they'd lose. I guess we'll have to wait and see.