It was a moment years in the making. As the spotlight beamed down and the cheers echoed throughout the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stepped up to accept the 2025 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player award. The crowd roared, teammates surrounded him with pride, and fans across the league celebrated the rise of a humble, dynamic star who has transformed into the face of a franchise. But among the packed crowd and NBA elite, one face stood out with a personal, almost poetic connection to the moment: Chris Paul.
For many, Paul’s presence at the MVP ceremony wasn’t just a nice touch. It was symbolic. It was significant. It was necessary.
A Full-Circle Moment
Chris Paul, now a respected veteran in the twilight of his legendary career, had every reason to be in that building. Not for the cameras, not for the clout, but because this MVP moment was, in some small but real way, his too.
When Paul was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the summer of 2019, many thought it was a pit stop on his way out. He joined a team that was supposed to rebuild, not compete. Yet what happened over that 2019-2020 season redefined expectations—for the franchise, for Paul, and most notably, for a young and talented Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Mentorship That Mattered
At just 21 years old, Shai was still finding his footing in the league when CP3 arrived. Paul, known for his attention to detail, work ethic, and floor generalship, took the young guard under his wing. It wasn’t a forced mentorship. It was natural. From film sessions to road trips to practices, Paul poured wisdom into Gilgeous-Alexander—and Shai, ever the student of the game, soaked up everything.
Fast forward to today, and it’s easy to draw the line from then to now. SGA didn’t just learn how to run an offense—he learned how to lead. He learned how to compete. He learned how to be that guy.
“He didn’t just tell me what to do,” Shai recalled during his MVP acceptance speech. “He showed me. Every day. I saw what greatness looked like up close.”
That quote, and the sight of Chris Paul nodding with pride in the front row, spoke volumes.
The MVP Campaign
This season, Gilgeous-Alexander has been nothing short of spectacular. Averaging 30.5 points, 6.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.1 steals per game while leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a top seed in the Western Conference, he has emerged as the most complete two-way guard in the league.
What makes Shai’s rise even more special is how understated it’s been. No drama. No viral declarations. Just hard work, a deep bag of moves, and relentless consistency. His smooth, deliberate pace, combined with surgical efficiency and elite defense, made him the clear MVP choice in a stacked field that included Nikola Jokić, Jayson Tatum, and Luka Dončić.
But ask SGA who helped shape this journey, and Chris Paul is one of the first names he’ll mention.
Respect Among Legends
Chris Paul didn’t have to be there. He’s spent over a decade earning his spot among the all-time greats. He could’ve sent a text, posted a tribute, or kept it moving. But that’s not who he is. For Paul, loyalty, mentorship, and legacy aren’t just words—they’re principles.
He sat courtside as SGA accepted the award, clapped proudly, and even shared a quiet embrace with his former protégé after the ceremony.
“Man, I saw it coming,” Paul told reporters afterward. “When I got to OKC, I knew he was special. His approach, his mindset—it was rare. He’s earned every bit of this.”
That mutual respect doesn’t just highlight a great relationship. It underscores how vital mentorship is in the NBA. Not every rising star gets the benefit of learning from a Hall of Famer. And not every Hall of Famer is willing to invest in the next generation. Chris Paul did. And it mattered.
The Future Is Now
With the MVP trophy in hand and the playoffs in full swing, SGA isn’t just a feel-good story—he’s the leader of a legitimate championship contender. The Thunder have grown around him, built with youth, versatility, and toughness. And the way Shai carries himself—as a quiet assassin, unshaken by pressure—reflects both his natural demeanor and the lessons passed down from CP3.
For Thunder fans, the MVP is both a reward and a promise. A reward for believing in the rebuild. A promise that the best is yet to come.
Legacy Moments
In a league constantly chasing the next big thing, it’s moments like this that stand out: a young star rises, the mentor who helped guide him watches with pride, and the game of basketball continues its beautiful cycle of passing the torch.
Chris Paul may not have won an MVP himself, but on this night, watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander soak in the highest individual honor, he didn’t need to. His legacy was alive in that moment. And sometimes, that’s even more powerful than the trophy itself.
