In a recent episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, host Bill Simmons and former NBA player Tim Legler engaged in a hypothetical discussion about the Oklahoma City Thunder's performance if star player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were replaced by Brandin Podziemski of the Golden State Warriors. Currently, the Thunder boast the best record in the NBA with 64 wins in 80 games. Simmons posed the question directly to Legler, asking how many wins the Thunder would achieve under this scenario. Legler estimated a total in the mid to upper 50s, while Simmons projected 53 wins. This speculation underscores the significant impact Gilgeous-Alexander has had this season, as he averages 31.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game, marking him as one of the league's elite players. In contrast, Podziemski's performance is notably less impactful, averaging 13.7 points and 3.8 assists. This analysis raises questions about the extent of Gilgeous-Alexander's influence on the Thunder's success this season.