In a stunning twist of fate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as a starting star for the 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend. Once just a bright, young talent with the Los Angeles Clippers, his journey has been anything but ordinary. A mere year into his career, Gilgeous-Alexander was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a high-stakes deal that brought Paul George to LA. At the time, the Thunder were seen as a team in rebuild mode, but their incredible Thunder’s transformation shocked the basketball world as they clinched a playoff spot the very next season.
Inside the Thunder’s Transformation: Are Shai and Chris the Ultimate Dream Team?
While they fell to the Houston Rockets in the first round, the Thunder’s unexpected success was largely thanks to the influence of Chris Paul, who joined the team in 2019. Even though he spent just one season in Oklahoma City, Paul’s impact reverberated through the organization and, notably, on Gilgeous-Alexander’s career trajectory.
During a recent Media Day, Gilgeous-Alexander opened up about his experience as Paul’s mentee, revealing how their relationship continues to shape him today. “Chris was the first player I was around who was meticulous about everything off the court,” he shared. “He had a specific diet, a strict workout schedule, and watched games with a critical eye. It’s this edge that makes him exceptional, and I’ve embraced that mindset myself.”
Gilgeous-Alexander’s admiration for Paul runs deep, and their bond reflects a mutual respect that transcends their brief time as teammates. In a heartfelt moment during a recent interview on Point Forward, Chris Paul spoke candidly about his friendship with Gilgeous-Alexander. “I get emotional thinking about Shai,” he admitted. “That year in LA was tough for me without my family, but having him around made it easier. He’s not just a basketball savant; he’s a family man, and that connection matters.”
Despite being teammates for only one season, the friendship they forged has endured, highlighting the powerful influence mentors can have in shaping careers and lives.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, excitement surrounds both Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder. With a stellar 57-25 record last season, they secured the top seed in the Western Conference, and Gilgeous-Alexander finished as a close runner-up in MVP voting. Hopes are sky-high that the Thunder can finally return to the NBA Finals for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
Will Gilgeous-Alexander be the driving force to end the Thunder’s championship drought? As the NBA landscape shifts, only time will tell if the bond formed with Chris Paul will be the key to unlocking the Thunder’s ultimate potential.
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