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OKLAHOMA CITY— The Thunder’s latest MVP recipient—four if including James Harden, who was drafted by the team before earning his award in Houston—feels honored to join such an elite fraternity.
“In any discussion about me being mentioned alongside those two extraordinary players,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remarked regarding Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, “it’s something that’s difficult to articulate.”
However, Gilgeous-Alexander is straightforward about what sets him apart from his predecessors: their inability to secure a championship during their time in Oklahoma City.
“I’m aiming for a title,” he stated.
His MVP accolade is merited, particularly due to his outstanding season in 2024-25. Not only was he the league’s scoring leader, accomplishing this efficiently, but he also ranked high in steals and amassed an impressive number of blocks for a point guard. These achievements underscored his influence on both ends of the court.
Yet, had the Thunder not tallied 68 victories and secured the top position in the Western Conference, another player might have claimed the MVP award.
Success was the pivotal factor distinguishing him from finalists Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Gilgeous-Alexander significantly contributed to winning more than anyone else this season, and his aspiration for a championship—where the Thunder has a shot next month—drives him, as it undoubtedly should.
In celebration of his MVP achievement, Gilgeous-Alexander gifted his teammates Rolex watches. Speaking from a podium on Wednesday at the team’s training facility, his teammates donned custom shirts celebrating his MVP victory.
While accepting the 2024-25 Kia NBA MVP award, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shared his appreciation for the support he receives from the Thunder organization.
“As a collective, we prioritize the right objectives,” he conveyed about the Thunder. “We focus on winning, self-improvement, and each other’s achievements. It’s all about concentrating on how to elevate ourselves. Each day brings new learning opportunities on what we can do to win tomorrow—whether that’s in practice or during a game.
“Adopting that mindset allows you to excel and enhances the team’s overall performance. That mentality has transformed this group.”
At the center of it all is Gilgeous-Alexander. He couldn’t pinpoint the moment he felt he was operating at an MVP level, but the evidence suggests he has been doing so for at least the past two seasons, during which he has received MVP votes. He finished as runner-up to Jokic last season.
He joined OKC via a blockbuster trade in the summer of 2019 that sent Paul George to the Clippers. At that time, George was the spotlight, and Gilgeous-Alexander—coming off a respectable rookie year—was seen more as an additional piece in the trade, overshadowed by the five first-round picks and two swaps included.
The Thunder intended to rebuild using this future draft capital in hopes of discovering the next Paul George. Little did they know that Gilgeous-Alexander would ultimately prove to be far more valuable than the star they acquired.
Given the ball and the opportunity, he took it upon himself to put in the effort, evolving into one of the league’s most innovative and potent scorers—especially in the mid-range area—enabling the Thunder to construct their roster around him.
Gilgeous-Alexander dazzled with remarkable highlights on his journey to winning the 2024-25 Kia NBA MVP.
Suddenly, this eventual MVP, who had been cut from his junior varsity team in the eighth grade, realized he was living his dream.
“There were nights when I thought I wasn’t good at basketball,” he reflected. “And then there were nights when I felt like the best player in the world, before I actually was. It’s been a rollercoaster. My approach is to remain steady through it all. Once I figured that out, it truly helped me. During my lowest points in confidence, maintaining that mindset allowed me to confront those challenges head-on.
“I always believed I could become a great player because I understood the value of hard work, focus, and controlling what I could. I’ve made significant progress, but I never anticipated this outcome.”
With the MVP secured, along with a scoring title and the associated rewards, what’s next for Gilgeous-Alexander? Aside from pursuing a championship?
“Everything is still on the table,” he declared. “When I picked up a basketball at age 9, I didn’t think, ‘I want to be an All-Star.’ I thought, ‘I want to win this tournament.’ Winning is paramount, and if you don’t win, nothing else matters.
“That’s the perspective I carry in competition, whether it’s with friends or in a recreational league later in life; it’s always about striving to win. That’s my current mindset.”
Indeed, it’s about winning. Securing the MVP is just the first step toward accumulating victories. If he stays on this path, Gilgeous-Alexander may well distinguish himself from two other Thunder legends.
“I know Kevin, I know Russ,” he reflected. “They each had dreams and were dedicated to hard work, just as I am. And this is what can unfold.”
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Shaun Powell has been an NBA writer for over 25 years. You can reach him via email here, see his archives here, and follow him on X.
The perspectives expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its teams, or Warner Bros. Discovery.
