Oklahoma City Thunder Star Reflects on Influence of Chris Paul

In a recent interview, Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander opened up about the significant impact Chris Paul had on his development as a professional basketball player. Reflecting on their time together, Gilgeous-Alexander stated, "Chris really was the first person to show me what it meant to be a professional."

Gilgeous-Alexander noted that Paul's influence extended far beyond the basketball court, emphasizing the importance of preparation and self-care. He mentioned, "He was always doing extra. It was more so off the court than on the court. It was the things you don't think about as a kid. As a kid, you're taught to just work super hard, but you're not really taught nutrition and taking care of your body, getting massages, getting treatment, those type of things he was always on top of.”

This foundation laid by Paul during their time as teammates in the 2019-20 season was pivotal for Gilgeous-Alexander, who saw his scoring average soar from 10.8 points per game as a rookie to 19.0 points per game while playing alongside Paul. The Thunder, who faced low expectations after moving on from stars Russell Westbrook and Paul George, made a surprising playoff run that season with a 44-28 record, ultimately falling to the Houston Rockets in the first round.

While the following seasons were challenging for Oklahoma City, the team leveraged high draft picks to acquire talents like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. Their perseverance paid off as the Thunder achieved a remarkable 57-win season in the 2023-24 campaign, culminating in a championship victory in the 2024-25 season. Currently, Oklahoma City leads the NBA with a stellar record of 23-1.

As for Chris Paul, he has faced challenges of his own, recently beginning the season with the Los Angeles Clippers. Reports suggest that Paul's leadership style clashed with the team's dynamics, leading to his departure on December 3. Nevertheless, his time in Oklahoma City was marked by an exemplary display of leadership, which Gilgeous-Alexander continues to credit for his growth.