Shai Gilgeous-Alexander poised to join Michael Jordan, and two NBA legends in historic milestone

Shai Gilgeous–Alexander is just one step away from completing a dream season. If the Oklahoma City Thunder clinch the NBA championship, the regular-season MVP will join an elite group featuring Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kareem Abdul–Jabbar.

With a championship win and standout performances in the Finals, Gilgeous-Alexander could become only the fourth player in NBA history to win the MVP award, the scoring title, and the Finals MVP in the same season.

The first player to achieve this rare feat was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971, back when he was dominating for the Milwaukee Bucks. That season, the big man led his team to its first NBA title while averaging 31.7 points per game to secure the scoring title. His brilliance on the court earned him both the regular-season MVP and the Finals MVP awards.

It took two decades before another player replicated the accomplishment. Michael Jordan was the second to achieve it, leading the Chicago Bulls to their first championship in franchise history in 1991. Jordan went on to repeat the feat three more times in 1992, 1996, and 1998, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.

Michael Jordan with his fifth MVP award in 1998. @NBALatam

The last player to join this exclusive club was Shaquille O’Neal in 2000. During his dominant season with the Los Angeles Lakers, Shaq led the league in scoring with 29.7 points per game, won the regular-season MVP.

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He then delivered a legendary Finals performance against the Pacers. In the Finals, he averaged an astonishing 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game, earning the Finals MVP as the Lakers secured the title.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander set to end the drought

Now, Canadian star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a golden opportunity to achieve this rare trifecta, something that hasn’t been done in 25 years. SGA earned the regular-season MVP over Nikola Jokic and claimed the scoring title with a remarkable 32.7 points per game.

In the playoffs, he has been the driving force for the Thunder, particularly during the Western Conference Finals against the Timberwolves. Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds in the series, earning him the Magic Johnson Western Conference Finals MVP award.