Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder’s new Scottie Pippen

Key to OKC’s NBA finals appearance and potential title, Jalen Williams is making waves and drawing comparisons to one of the league’s greatest legends. The 24-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder forward operates in the shadow of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, MVP and regular season scoring leader, strangely reminiscent of the relationship between Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen in the 90s.

An acknowledged connection with the Bulls legend

Scottie Pippen himself recognizes the exceptional qualities of the young Thunder player. « He’s quite unique, » says the former Bulls forward about Jalen Williams. « I love watching him play. I see a lot of myself in him. I see a young player becoming one of the league’s best. He’s clearly capable of leading, with Shai, a franchise to multiple NBA titles. »

This comparison doesn’t bother Williams at all. « Maybe I feel like a new generation Scottie, » Williams says, proud of this connection. « And it doesn’t hurt me at all. Shai gets Jordan comparisons, that’s cool, very cool. When you’re compared to players like that, it means you’re doing things right. »

Williams’ statistical progression is impressive: from 14.1 points per game as a rookie, he increased to 19.1 points in his second season, then 21.6 points this year. His assists follow the same upward trend: 3.3, 4.5, then 5.1 per game.

Even greater potential according to Pippen

For Scottie Pippen, evolving in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s shadow isn’t holding back the All-Star, who continues to improve significantly season after season. « With players who have paths like this, you have to be careful: they have no limits. He’s going to become a great player because he still feels underestimated. He always has that motivation, that desire to show what he’s capable of. »

The Bulls legend goes even further in his predictions. « I don’t even want to say he’ll be like me. I see him doing better, I can say that, » assures the six-time NBA champion. « Simply because of today’s basketball. They have an offensive freedom we didn’t have. With this shooting ability, today’s players can become better than those from the past. If this kid continues to shoot like this, I won’t say he can be compared to us. Because that’s not the case: he’s winning. »

Williams perfectly embodies the modern versatile player, capable of playing from point guard to power forward, while maintaining deadly three-point efficiency. His adaptability and basketball IQ make him the ideal complement to Gilgeous-Alexander, forming a duo that could mark Thunder history for years to come.