Winning the NBA Finals is the pinnacle of professional basketball achievement — the moment when greatness is forever etched into the sport’s history. But when a player combines that with both the scoring title and the league MVP award in the same season, they enter a truly elite club. If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) manages to pull this off in 2025, he will become just the fourth player in NBA history to achieve this rare and remarkable triple crown.
The Triple Crown of NBA Greatness
The scoring title, MVP, and NBA championship are individually impressive feats. Each reflects a different dimension of a player’s dominance:
- Scoring Title: Leading the league in points per game highlights a player’s offensive prowess, consistency, and ability to carry the team’s scoring burden.
- League MVP: The Most Valuable Player award is given to the individual judged to have the greatest impact on their team’s success during the regular season, balancing leadership, efficiency, and influence.
- NBA Championship: Winning the Finals is the ultimate team achievement, demanding peak performance under the fiercest pressure and against the toughest competition.
To combine all three in one season is a testament not only to individual talent but to a player’s ability to lead, inspire, and deliver when it counts the most.
The Exclusive Club
Before Shai, only three NBA legends have ever completed this trifecta in the same year:
- Michael Jordan: The man widely considered the GOAT, MJ did this six times during his career, showcasing his unrivaled scoring, leadership, and clutch playoff performances.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, Kareem combined unstoppable scoring with dominant team success in his prime.
- Wilt Chamberlain: Known for his overwhelming physicality and scoring records, Wilt achieved this remarkable feat early in NBA history.
These players not only won the triple crown but also transformed the game during their eras. If SGA joins this group, it signals his arrival as one of the all-time greats.
Why Shai Is On Track
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 2024-2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular. Emerging as the cornerstone of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s resurgence, he has:
- Averaged over 31 points per game, making him the favorite to clinch the scoring title.
- Led the Thunder to a top seed in the Western Conference, dominating as the team’s undisputed leader and clear MVP candidate.
- Demonstrated improved efficiency, court vision, and leadership — qualities that reflect MVP-caliber play beyond just scoring.
Shai’s unique blend of size, skill, and poise allows him to score in multiple ways — from crafty mid-range jumpers to explosive drives and even a reliable three-point shot. But he’s more than just a scorer. His ability to make teammates better, control the pace, and defend when needed adds to his overall value.
The Finals Stage: The Ultimate Test
Winning the NBA Finals requires more than regular-season brilliance; it demands grit, resilience, and the ability to perform under extreme pressure. Shai’s playoff performances have already hinted at his capacity to rise to the occasion. Throughout the 2025 postseason, he’s carried the Thunder with clutch shots, relentless defense, and unwavering focus.
The Finals present the toughest challenge: defending champions, intense scrutiny, and a series of do-or-die games. But Shai’s growth, both mentally and physically, makes many analysts believe he’s ready.
If he can lead OKC to the championship — while maintaining his scoring dominance and MVP form — he will complete a season that only the greatest in NBA history have ever managed.
What This Means for Shai’s Legacy
Achieving this rare triple crown will instantly elevate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s legacy. Instead of being viewed as a rising star or potential superstar, he will be seen as an all-time great, forever mentioned in the same breath as Jordan, Kareem, and Wilt.
It’s a transformation from a phenomenal scorer and leader to a legend whose season defined an era.
- Hall of Fame Guarantee: This achievement alone would cement his place in basketball history.
- Endorsements and Marketability: With history on the line, Shai’s profile will explode worldwide.
- Influence on Future Generations: Young players will study his game, leadership style, and resilience.
The Challenges Ahead
Of course, nothing is guaranteed. The road to this historic feat is treacherous.
- The physical toll of a long season and intense playoff battles could challenge Shai’s stamina.
- Opponents will focus heavily on slowing him down, devising defensive schemes tailored specifically to him.
- Pressure mounts with each game, and maintaining peak performance while carrying so much responsibility is daunting.
But Shai has shown remarkable mental toughness. His calm demeanor and ability to adapt suggest he can meet these challenges head-on.
A Season for the Ages
The 2025 season stands as a potential watershed moment for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the NBA. If he pulls off this triple crown, it will be a reminder that greatness is as much about consistency, leadership, and timing as it is about talent.
The league loves stories like this — a young, humble star rising through hard work and determination to stand among the legends.
Final Thoughts
If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins the NBA Finals in 2025, on top of securing the scoring title and league MVP, it will mark one of the most extraordinary individual seasons in NBA history. He will join a legendary group of three players who achieved this rare trifecta, solidifying his place among the greatest to ever play the game.
For fans, basketball lovers, and even casual observers, watching Shai chase this historic milestone adds an incredible layer of excitement to the season.
Can he do it? The signs say yes. And if he does, the NBA will have a new legend to celebrate — a player who not only scores points but captures hearts and inspires generations.
👀🔥
