Did Shai Gilgeous-Alexander get philosophical to impress Malika Andrews? Fans on X thinks so [VIDEO]
SGA Turns Malika Andrews Interview into Life Philosophy
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder star and reigning 2024-25 NBA MVP, is already known for his thoughtful, introspective approach both on and off the court. But during a recent appearance on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” SGA gave an answer so philosophical it went viral instantly—and it had everything to do with Malika Andrews.
In the interview, Andrews asked the Thunder guard a seemingly straightforward question about what defines a young NBA superstar. But instead of a stats-driven answer or self-promotion, SGA launched into a reflective breakdown of how stardom is not something you achieve alone.
“It’s for the world to decide and their opinions,” he said. “I guess as a collective more people think you’re a superstar or more people think you’re face of the league than not and I guess you become that and you walk into it. But I don’t think that’s something like has a formula. I think it’s just like a feel thing.”
That clip, clocking in at just under 80 seconds, immediately exploded across social media.
The Meme: Do NBA Players Give Deep Answers to Impress Malika?
What made the moment go viral wasn’t just SGA’s poetic phrasing. It was the running joke among NBA fans that players try harder to impress Malika Andrews—not just with their outfits, but with their words.
An X post from @HaterReport_ summed it up perfectly: “They gotta stop letting Malika Andrews interview people bruh. She asked SGA a simple question and bro turned into a philosopher lmaoooo.”
This post alone sparked thousands of interactions and revived a long-standing internet joke. The meme suggests NBA stars, enamored with Andrews’ poise and presence, can’t help but wax poetic in her interviews. Though humorous in nature, the meme has legs because of how consistently players offer up unexpectedly thoughtful responses in her presence.
Is There Truth Behind the Joke?
While the meme is clearly a fan-driven joke, there’s some truth behind why it resonates. NBA interviews are often filled with routine soundbites and rehearsed answers. But in Andrews’ interviews, players like SGA, Ja Morant, and Jayson Tatum have all given surprisingly reflective, confident, or vulnerable answers that fans love to dissect.
Take Ja Morant’s infamous 2023 moment when Andrews asked who Memphis feared in the West. His reply? “Nobody in the West.” The answer became a viral moment of bravado that fans later jokingly claimed was an attempt to impress Malika.
Or look at Jayson Tatum’s 2022 interview where he discussed fatherhood and legacy in an unusually emotional segment. Again, fans playfully credited Andrews for the shift in tone.
SGA’s Consistency Speaks for Itself
Despite the memes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s reputation for deep thought didn’t start with this interview. In fact, his philosophical leanings are well-documented.
In a January 7 piece in Viaggio Sport titled “Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: My Lessons,” SGA reflected: “Basketball is like life: What you give to the game, the game will give back to you. You can’t cheat it. Do things your way, and in the end, you won’t want to have any regrets or doubts.”
After winning the 2025 Western Conference Finals MVP, a Reddit post praised his humility. “I love that he passes his MVP trophy around to his teammates,” one user wrote. In his official MVP speech, SGA said, “This award is your award too” to his teammates, and thanked his wife Hailey Summers for showing him what “sacrifice really meant.”
That authenticity aligns with the thoughtful way he answered Andrews’ question. He’s not playing to the cameras. He’s just being himself.
Fans React: Split Between Humor and Respect
As with most viral moments, fan responses were split. One X user, @SinaiNot, argued, “That’s not a simple question lol. You could debate for hours about what makes a superstar… His answer is totally valid.” Another, @feanor_legend, joked, “He does this with every question. Doesn’t matter who’s interviewing him.”
Then there were those who leaned fully into the meme. @AdmAdderall said, “Bro was like ‘hmmmm what an excellent question’ as soon as Malika started talking.”
Most people on social media are aware of the ongoing meme about Malika Andrews. Perhaps the player most attached to this running joke was Jordan Poole.
What It Says About NBA Media Today
SGA’s response and the fan reaction highlight an interesting shift in NBA culture. Today’s stars are more brand-aware, emotionally intelligent, and thoughtful. They know the power of media and the influence of their words. Andrews, whose interviews often feel more like conversations than interrogations, brings that side out.
That dynamic—authentic players + composed interviewer + high visibility show—makes moments like this inevitable. In SGA’s case, it was the perfect storm.
Final Thoughts: Deep or Flirtatious? You Decide
So, was SGA trying to impress Malika Andrews? Maybe. Maybe not. What’s more likely is that he was being exactly who he’s always been—reflective, grateful, and serious about the game and life.
What’s even more likely is that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is simply focusing on the NBA Finals. At home, he has his wife, Hailey Summers, whom he married in 2024. In addition, the two share a child. Summers is holding down SGA’s family. Meanwhile, he is competing in the NBA Finals for the first time.
Making it to the championship round, following a historic season is huge. Having just led the Thunder to a 68-14 record and the NBA Finals, while winning the season MVP is no small feat. As a result, the world wants to hear from SGA. In turn, he has a lot he wants to say to the world. So, Malika Andrews was his sounding board.
The meme that NBA players turn into philosophers in Malika Andrews’ interviews is hilarious, but it also sheds light on something real: how the right interviewer can draw out the best in athletes. For SGA, that meant a philosophical masterclass on what it means to be a superstar.
Whether it was game, growth, or just great TV, the world was watching—and laughing.