Shai Gilgeous Alexander Hails Chris Paul For Thunder Rise

Merlin sees Shai Gilgeous Alexander credit Chris Paul with teaching him how to be a pro. "Chris really was the first person to show me what it meant to be a professional," Shai said, pointing to off court routines like nutrition, massages and treatment as "the things you don't think about as a kid." They paired in the 2019 20 season, helped an underdog Thunder reach the playoffs, and Shai's game grew as Oklahoma City later rose to a title and now sits atop the league. Merlin notes that veteran habits ripple through a franchise. Paul led by example even if his style later clashed in Los Angeles. Those small practices often separate good players from great ones. If Shai keeps that discipline and the Thunder sustain their talent pipeline, their run looks crafted not lucky.