Poker legend Daniel Negreanu reveals his close Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ties with life-changing story

Canadian poker legend Daniel Negreanu reveals one of his lesser-known secrets that tie him to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a close way.

Poker legend Daniel Negreanu reveals his close Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ties with life-changing story

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Daniel Negreanu (via Beet and Instagram)

The Oklahoma City Thunder are rolling like never before and are deemed prohibitive favorites to win the Western Conference. The team has won 61 of its 73 games, stomping opponents by historic margins and setting records along the way. The team is as deep as any in recent NBA history. But the lion’s share of credit for their surge to the top of the West has to go to their MVP candidate, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

SGA, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is nicknamed, given the length of his name, is playing some of the best basketball ever. The 26-year-old has blended agility, athleticism, ability to drive to the hoop and shooting skill in a memorable fashion. He’s also a brilliant defender, able to take on tough assignments and able to switch 1-3. The 6’6″ guard is undoubtedly the best two-way guard in the league while also being the best volume scorer.

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With SGA firing and the OKC Thunder on a franchise record pace, the team is finally getting mainstream sports media to notice their redoubtable play on a nightly basis. Daily NBA show Gil’s Arena, hosted by Gilbert Arenas and Josiah Johnson, recently invited SGA’s father to the show. Vaughn Alexander gave quite a few insights and stories that illustrate the mental makeup and upbringing of his soon-to-be MVP son.

Poker legend Daniel Negreanu happened upon the link to their interview and was pleased to add his own personal story to the lore. According to Negreanu, he was a school friend of Vaughn Alexander, and the two received quite the unfortunate telling-off from their teacher once.

What a crazy world! I have known Vaughan since the first grade and remember our teacher telling me and him we were gonna grow up to be garbagemen! True story Great dad, he clearly has the recipe to turn kids into NBA studs

Daniel Negreanu tweeted

A fan asked the poker star about whether the incident was a formative experience for him in the replies. Negreanu replied in the affirmative. This story shows just how the right kind of motivation can inspire people to achieve the improbable. Negreanu is universally considered one of the greatest poker players ever. The Canadian star has also amassed over $55 million in career earnings from the sport.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is en route to his first Michael Jordan MVP trophy

Truth be told, there are three NBA players who are currently having historic seasons for their own teams. Giannis Antetokounmpo is about to become the only player to record two seasons with 30 points per game on 60% shooting. Nikola Jokic will become the first NBA center to average a triple-double through an entire season. But according to oddsmakers, the Michael Jordan MVP trophy is Gilgeous-Alexander’s to lose.

The reasons are understandable. The Thunder have less than half the number of losses that any other team in the Western Conference has this year. SGA himself is having a historically efficient season for any guard while playing amazing defense. The team is set to crack 68 wins, if not 69 or 70. They are almost certainly going to be the NBA’s top-seeded team after the season finishes.

The oddsmakers currently list Gilgeous-Alexander at -900, meaning you would have to bet $1000 on him winning MVP honors to win $100. Nikola Jokic is the closest competitor, listed at +475. While most NBA fans agree that Jokic is still head and shoulders above his competition as the best player in the world, the Serbian center will likely be a victim of voter fatigue for this year’s MVP trophy.