Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ‘I’M HIM!’ after clutch logo shot is the best new reaction

Gilgeous-Alexander has the kind of confidence to take that shot because he knows he can make that shot. That’s who he is. He is him.

After his late-game 3-pointer on Thursday, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had the coolest celebration of the season.

Oklahoma City was up by one possession with less than two minutes remaining in the game when Gilgeous-Alexander dribbled the ball up the floor. The Thunder held a lead over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center and needed to score again to solidify their lead. The shot was amazing but his reaction is what made it particularly special.

You can watch the video of Gilgeous Alexander’s shot and subsequent celebration below and feel free to watch it a dozen times because it’s so awesome:

If you watch closely and have a talent for reading lips, it certainly seemed like the 23-year-old guard started pointing to himself and yelling “I’M HIM” as if he were Pete Weber celebrating a bowling victory.

After the game, Joe Mussatto got confirmation from the man himself (via The Oklahoman):

Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t just yell after burying the shot. He pumped his right arm and flexed in front of his teammates. He doesn’t often show that kind of emotion.

“I wasn’t gonna yell at first,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I was gonna be calm, but Ty (Jerome) got me hyped.”

After not initially divulging what he yelled, Gilgeous-Alexander eventually gave in.

“I’m him.”

I’M HIM. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made sure the whole world know who he is. Because he said I’M HIM.

Apparently, that’s the kind of confidence you need to take such an audacious shot attempt in the fourth quarter against the Lakers in Los Angeles.

For anyone who watches Oklahoma City even somewhat regularly, it’s not surprising that Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t need an assist from his teammate to get the bucket. He currently leads the league with 8.5 points per game scored in isolation, via Synergy. According to PBP Stats, he also leads the league with 18 “self-created” 3-pointers.

But it’s easy to see why Gilgeous-Alexander was especially fired up and yelped out what he did after the ridiculous make. He is one of just seven players who has hit a shot from at least 34 feet so far this season, per Basketball-Reference.

While he is someone who has long been able to create his own scoring opportunities, he’s not exactly the kind of guy who’s pulling up from the parking lot. This one was different.

After the game, he told reporters that the shot is something he practices. But this is only the tenth time he has attempted a shot from at least 30 feet since he began his professional career in 2018-19.

To put that in perspective: Damian Lillard (308), Trae Young (256), Stephen Curry (180) and Luka Doncic (102) have all attempted at least 100 shots from that range in the same span.

When he does fire from that deep, however, he knows how to pick his spots. He is 2-for-3 (66.7 percent) when shooting from at least 34 feet. Just for the sake of comparison, Carmelo Anthony is just 1-for-77 (1.3 percent) on shots from the same distance.

Gilgeous-Alexander has the kind of confidence to take that shot because he knows he can make that shot. That’s who he is. He is him.

So next time you’re balling up a piece of paper up and throwing it into a trash can, instead of yelling “Kobe” again, try shouting “I’M HIM!” and see how it fits. If it doesn’t work and you prefer the classic, you can always go back to yelling “Kobe” next time.

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