Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder star guard, just hit a hugely important career milestone. In fact, he just won his first NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award! He’s guided the Thunder to a league-high 68 wins this year. This truly awe-inspiring performance cements his legacy as one of the game’s greatest players. In a wonderful turn of fate, Chris Paul himself dropped by to help commemorate the special day. He’s played with his new teammate before in Gilgeous-Alexander and has been a close mentor and friend since.
The silver lining to the MVP announcement of Gilgeous-Alexander is the pinnacle point of extreme hard work and dedication. Not just the first scoring title, but no surprise, his second place finish in MVP voting last season. Denver’s Nikola Jokic earned the honor of being an All-Star captain. This time, though, he bested Jokic by an even wider margin, a testament to his development as a player. Most impressively, the 26-year-old averaged 24.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.3 assists on the season.
During the NBA Bubble in Orlando in 2020, Gilgeous-Alexander and Paul had developed a close friendship. Their bond extended well past the world of basketball. Paul proved an invaluable mentor to Gilgeous-Alexander, showing him the ins and outs of professionalism and how to care for your body.
“He showed me how to take care of your body and eat well,” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Eating was a part of what I had to change, and Gilgeous-Alexander remembers his diet completely shifted under Paul’s influence. He admitted right from the beginning that he was a “chain restaurant junkie.” He heavily consumed The Cheesecake Factory and fast food, with late-night slices of Domino’s Pizza his biggest vice.
Looking back on his previous food habits, he said, “When I was younger, I ate foods that were awful. But under Paul’s tutelage he gained an appreciation for how to eat and stay fit. This shift towards a more plant-based diet has undoubtedly played a role in his incredible performance on the court.
His ever-burgeoning growth doesn’t just stop on the hardwood, as Gilgeous-Alexander has opened himself up to new avenues in entertainment. He is one of five NBA players starring in Netflix’s second season of “Starting Five,” which highlights the lives of professional basketball players both on and off the court. Paul will appear as a series regular on the show. This will increase their bond, as they’ll be documenting their experiences on film alongside each other.
Paul may have co-produced “Starting Five,” but he was just getting started. He made his way to an artists’ reception honoring Gilgeous-Alexander and took to Twitter to congratulate Luguentz Dort on being selected to the NBA All-Defensive first team. Paul said afterwards that it was an honor to be there for Gilgeous-Alexander during a huge moment like this.
“That is my family right there. I wouldn’t miss it for nothing,” – Chris Paul
It’s a perfect relationship born from mutual respect and admiration for one another. This credit to Paul’s influence on Gilgeous-Alexander touches on how crucial Paul’s impact has been on his growth as a player and person.
“He has been great, not only as a big brother, mentor, but he is like a friend,” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Their tight-knit relationship was on display when Paul made a surprise appearance to join Gilgeous-Alexander in celebrating his recent birthday. The budding star admitted to still being surprised by Paul’s surprise appearance.
“It was amazing. It caught me off guard. I had to like double take. I was like, ‘Who is that sitting with my wife?’” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Gilgeous-Alexander’s journey from a promising rookie to an MVP winner exemplifies the impact of mentorship and guidance in professional sports. His rookie season next to Paul in 2019-2020 had him putting up 19 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Those formative experiences definitely laid the groundwork for the success he enjoys today.
When Gilgeous-Alexander thinks about what he’s picking up from Paul, it boils down to learning how to stay focused and disciplined.
“All season long, we’ve got into the habit in focusing on the next game and worrying about what is in front of us. It is no different in this situation,” – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
This aggregative mindset has undoubtedly been a central force of nature in his Season-Long success this past-Season. It’s that maturity on and off the floor that continues to inspire his teammates, and fans of the game in general.
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