Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speaks fondly of Chris Paul as he attended his MVP presentation
With only four teams left, the Western Conference Finals have brought big-name stars to the little ole Paycom Center. From Adam Silver to Stephen A. Smith, the Oklahoma City Thunder's 118-103 Game 2 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves was the center of the NBA universe.
A few notable Thunder legends were in attendance. No offense to TV personality Kendrick Perkins, but Chris Paul's presence meant a little more to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After all, he was his mentor in their sole season together in 2019-20.
Both were traded to the Thunder in the same offseason. Gilgeous-Alexander from the blockbuster Paul George deal and Paul from the Russell Westbrook deal. The 2019 summer saw OKC plant the seeds of its current run as the title favorite.
Paul enjoyed a bounce-back season as he led the Thunder to the playoffs while mentoring Gilgeous-Alexander. The future Hall-of-Famer's stay in OKC only lasted one season before he was shipped off to the Phoenix Suns the following offseason. But his impact can still be felt.
Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 38 points on 12-of-21 shooting, eight assists and three rebounds. He shot 1-of-2 from 3 and went 13-of-15 on free throws. He also had five steals. The MVP winner talked about Paul's role in his life after hilariously realizing he was in attendance when he sat next to his family courtside.
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"He's been great. Not only as a big brother mentor but just like a friend. He's always there to lean on. He's the first guy in my life where I was close with that achieved the things I wanted to achieve," Gilgeous-Alexander said about Paul. "I really lean on him for advice. Not only basketball advice, but business advice, taking care of your body advice. Handling a family when they don't live with you. There are so many things you deal with as an NBA player, especially his caliber, that go under the radar and his guidance with that has been great."
The Thunder's point guard lineage might be one of the richest in the NBA. From Russell Westbrook to Paul to Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC has never lacked a high-end starting one.
The 26-year-old's MVP trophy presentation was the peak of several years of hard work. Paul's attendance was ceremonial as he was his Jedi Master when he was still a Padawan.
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