Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Thunder teammates all posed for one last group photo, and before the flash captured them, wrists were held high.
He’d handed them Rolexes like Oprah, and they all couldn’t wait to show them off.
Yes, on Shai’s day, when he was named NBA MVP, the Thunder star had gift baskets awaiting his teammates. Inside, each of them found their own watch. It was Jaylin Williams’ idea, no surprise considering he lobbied hardest for the Thunder to win the NBA Cup for the prize money. It surfaced one day last season, when SGA first materialized his MVP candidacy.
“He was like, ‘2, what are you going to get us when you win MVP?’ It’s a crazy question to ask,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “But I don’t know what brought it up, but watches was in the conversation. A lot of guys on the team like watches. Who doesn’t like watches?”
When Wednesday’s reality became clearer, SGA knew he had to follow through — a small gesture compared to what he assured them they did for him.
“I would rather have the MVP over a Rolex every day of the week,” the 26-year-old guard said, “and without them I wouldn’t have the MVP, so this is in the slightest what they deserve.”
Here are three more takeaways from SGA’s MVP news conference Wednesday night:
SGA gets emotional thanking his wife, Hailey
Gilgeous-Alexander’s speech was as steady as his play. Every name, every thank you — all until he reached his wife, Hailey Summers.
He’s been elbowed and thrown around like a rag doll on court. He’s been pushed to physical exhaustion. He’s been stabbed in the gut by postseason despair. The world still never saw him break down in tears until Wednesday, when he hoped to thank his wife with wet eyes.
“Sorry, I’m so dramatic,” he paused, wiping his face.
“Hailey Summers, thank you for everything you are for me, for our son, Aries. You were the first person to show me what love really meant. What sacrifice really meant. I can’t wait to spend the rest of this journey called life with you. So thank you for everything. I wouldn’t be the man I am, I wouldn’t be the player I am, I wouldn’t be the father I am without you, so thank you for that.”
