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Professional basketball

Steve Nash Thrilled to See Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Become Second Canadian to Win NBA's Most Valuable Player Award

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Steve Nash, the first Canadian to win the NBA's most valuable player award, couldn't contain his excitement when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joined him as the second Canadian to win the prestigious award. Nash, a two-time MVP winner, praised Gilgeous-Alexander's remarkable season, calling him his "favourite player to watch." Gilgeous-Alexander's impressive performance includes averaging 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.72 steals, and 1.01 blocks in 34.2 minutes in 76 games, making him the first Canadian-born player to win the NBA's scoring title.

Key Takeaways:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander became the second Canadian to win the NBA's most valuable player award, after Steve Nash.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.72 steals, and 1.01 blocks in 34.2 minutes in 76 games.
  • He is the first Canadian-born player to win the NBA's scoring title and the second player in NBA history to average at least 32 points and six assists per game and shoot 50 or more per cent from the field in a season.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander has been surging toward this honour for a while, finishing fifth in the MVP voting two seasons ago, then second last season, and ultimately beating out Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokounmpo in voting this year.
  • Nash was more eager to discuss Gilgeous-Alexander's accomplishments on Thursday, praising his exceptional playmaking, passing skills, and court vision, which have landed him in the Hall of Fame.
  • Nash hopes that Gilgeous-Alexander's leadership on the national team will continue to inspire a generation of Canadian basketball players and push the boundaries of what is possible individually and as a nation.

Statistics:

  • Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points in the regular season (2022-2023).
  • He averaged 5.0 rebounds in the regular season (2022-2023).
  • Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 6.4 assists in the regular season (2022-2023).
  • He averaged 1.72 steals in the regular season (2022-2023).
  • Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 1.01 blocks in the regular season (2022-2023).
  • Gilgeous-Alexander became the first Canadian-born player to win the NBA's scoring title.
  • He is the second player in NBA history to average at least 32 points and six assists per game and shoot 50 or more per cent from the field in a season, joining Michael Jordan (1988-89 and 1989-90).
  • Gilgeous-Alexander scored at least 20 points in 72 consecutive games, the longest single-season streak since 1963-64.

Sources:

  • The Globe and Mail, "Steve Nash thrilled to see Shai Gilgeous-Alexander become second Canadian to win NBA's most valuable player award"

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