Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a greater all-time player than James Harden?

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden are two of the most unconventional superstars in recent NBA history. Both have excelled as dominant scorers who excel at drawing free throws and have had successful second stints following controversial trades. At their peak, Harden was a high-volume 30-point scorer, while Gilgeous-Alexander is more economical in his scoring while maintaining Wilt-like efficiency.

Despite both being all-time greats, Gilgeous-Alexander has surpassed Harden in rankings, having won two consecutive MVP awards, averaged 30-plus points for four straight years, and won a championship ring. Even Vernon Maxwell, a former Rockets favorite, admitted on the All the Smoke podcast that Gilgeous-Alexander is a greater all-time player than Harden, despite his affection for the latter.

The all-time accolades of both players place them among era-defining guards with multiple rings and future Hall-of-Fame status, but Gilgeous-Alexander is considered the better all-time player.