Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Cheesecake Factory Obsession Was Changed by Chris Paul

Chris Paul helped Shai Gilgeous-Alexander get on the fast track to athletic improvement with his leadership by example.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Cheesecake Factory Obsession Was Changed by Chris Paul

SGA, Chris Paul (Instagram images)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a lot of people to credit for enabling his journey to becoming the league MVP. The OKC Thunder superstar was always pinpointed to as a great talent, but reaching his current heights needed him to make a number of changes to how he viewed a career in professional basketball. Chris Paul was an integral figure in making him see the light and get his regime and mindset just right.

The 9-time All-Defensive team selection was only with OKC Thunder for one season – Gilgeous-Alexander’s first there. The Chris Paul trade was viewed as a punishment assignment for the two-time Olympic gold medalist. OKC were expected to tank with him leading the charge and SGA developing. However, he bolstered their baseline play so much that they ended up as the fifth seeds in 2019-20.

It was then that SGA and Paul would form a brotherly bond. Teammates tend to develop close bonds, especially people as expressive and earnest as CP3. But the way he took particular interest in helping SGA transition to a consummate professional. As Paul attended Game 2 of their Conference Finals game at Paycom Center, SGA spoke thus about his impact:

He has been great, not only as a big brother, mentor, but he is like a friend. He is always there to lean on. He was the first guy in my life that I was close with that achieved the things that I want to achieve. And I really lean on him for advice, but not only basketball advice — business advice, taking care of your body advice, handling the family when they don’t live with you.

There are so many things that you deal with as an NBA player, especially of his caliber, that go under the radar. His guidance with that was great, not only on off-the-court issues, not only with all the mentorship, just being there as a friend.

Gilgeous-Alexander then revealed that Paul was responsible for inducing him to take his eating habits and diet seriously. An avid fast food eater and a Cheesecake Factory enthusiast, SGA was impacted by Paul’s vegan diet. He took it upon himself to improve his cravings for unhealthy food, saying “When I was younger, I ate terrible. He showed me how to take care of your body and eat well.“

Chris Paul was given a standing ovation for his OKC Thunder return

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had beseeched Chris Paul to attend a Conference Finals home game for the Thunder. Paul intended to make it to a game; however, he pranked SGA by pretending he couldn’t make it. The 2024-25 NBA MVP was taken aback when cameras showed Paul seated next to SGA’s wife Hailey Summers.

Paul received an affectionate, loud and passionate standing ovation when he was shown on the jumbotron. Despite only playing one season with the lone pro sports team in Oklahoma, Paul has clearly become a folk hero for his hard-hitting play and mentorship during his OKC tenure. He returned to the All-Star game in 2019-20 due to a resurgence. Paul also helped OKC to signature wins all season long.

Paul is a free agent this summer. He finished 2024-25 appearing in all 82 games and setting the record for assists dished by a 39-year-old in NBA history. He could be one of the key difference-makers in the offseason for a contending team. Although he’s clearly on the downward spiral now, Paul is undoubtedly still a positive player on any roster.

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