Characters | The friendship between SGA and NAW is far more than just cousins ​​who matched in the division finals

(This article was published on May 27, and the author is Andscape's reporter MarcJ.Spears, and the content of the article does not represent the translator's views.)

Minneapolis - Vaughan Alexander has a double-sided pendant hanging around his neck, engraved with two NBA players in his heart. On one hand, he is his superstar son and 2025 NBA Most Valuable Player Shea Gilgers Alexander, and on the other hand, he regards his nephew, Minnesota Timberwolves defender Nikil Alexander Walker. These two cousins, who have deep brotherhood, are fighting for a spot in the NBA Finals.

"They are not just cousins," Vaughan said. "They are more like brothers, best friends who have grown up together since day one. They sleep in the same bed and spend most of their lives under the same roof."

"They are cousins ​​in blood. But emotionally, they are brothers. He is my sister's son, but to me, he is like my son."

The Thunder will host the Timberwolves at home in Oklahoma City for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals on Thursday. Currently, Gilgers Alexander and the Thunder are leading 3-1, just one step away from advancing to the NBA Finals.

When asked about the fact that it was only one step away from childhood dreams - entering the NBA Finals, Gilgers Alexander said: "It's hard, and if I say it's not difficult, it's a lie. We know how close we are to the goal, but at the same time we feel so far away. To defeat such a team, it takes a lot of effort and do the right thing. We have to play one goal, one minute, one minute, and hope we can win the game in the end."

Gilgers Alexander was recently named MVP, and Alexander Walker was the key substitute for the Timberwolves. They have played side by side in high school, AAU league and Canada's national men's basketball team. But in the Western Conference Finals, the friendship between brothers obviously retreated second.

"For both of us, it's very special to be able to get to this point today, and competition is even more special." Gilgers Alexander (Shay), said, "But I do want to do my best and beat him completely."

Speaking of the results he expected, Nikil Alexander Walker (Shay), said: "He got the MVP, I went to the finals. For me, that's great. If I can win the championship ring this year, he can get the MVP, so we're all happy."

Vaughan Alexander was a basketball star at George Vanill High School in Toronto, and he won the North York League championship in his senior year. On July 12, 1998, he welcomed their son Shay in Toronto with former Olympic track and field athlete Charmane Gilgeous. Not long after, Vaughan's sister Nicole gave birth to Nikir in Toronto on September 2 of the same year.

The two brothers and sisters Vaughan and Nicole are close and they live very close as the children grow up. Since Nikil's father was not around, Vaughn took on the role of his father enthusiastically.

"My uncle Vaughan has been there to support me," Nikil said. "He taught me a lot about life lessons about being a man and what men should do in some cases. I didn't fully understand why he was so harsh on me at the time, especially when I was young and without my father, there were a lot of anger to deal with. Looking back now, I understand the meaning of those lessons."

"The lessons he taught me at that time and what he tried to teach me because he was my uncle, and I would think, 'Why is he so harsh on me?' Actually, he just hoped I could understand how it felt to be a man."

Vown said: "I treat Nikil as my son. His father was not always with him, so he needed a father image."

Nikil often went to Vown's house when he was young and spent time with his uncle. It was during that time that he formed a brotherly relationship with his cousin Shay and Shay's younger brother Thomas. Former Virginia Tech men's basketball coach Buzz Williams once affectionately called Nikil and Shay "Irish twins", a term used to describe siblings born within one year of the same mother.

"If you know how close we are, he's like another brother of mine," Shay said. "We went through every stage of our life together, from picking up basketball to going to preparatory school to entering the NBA, we went every step together."

Nikir also said, "We're about a month and a half a year apart. So, he's been by my side throughout my life for as long as I can remember. My mom and his dad Vaughan were very close, like brothers and sisters. We played basketball together since we were young, and we were often together, and it could almost be said that his dad became my second dad."

Vaughn asked Shay and Nikir to start playing basketball from children's toy basketball stands. They started formal training at about 5 or 6 years old. As they get older, they often go to YMCA and play ball together in nearby parks. Vaughan often lets them compete with each other, inspiring their fighting spirit and desire to make progress. Sometimes, one-on-one basketball games can get quite intense.

"This causes them to fight every day, 100%," Vaughan said. "When I go home, I always see someone crying, or someone’s face is beaten beyond recognition, and who cries depends on who wins." Vaughan said that when he found that 5-year-old Shea and Nikil could do what most 10-year-olds could do, such as shooting with both hands or moving their feet, he knew they would be special basketball players in the future. He stressed the importance of working hard, training harder and self-confidence than others. Vaughan recalls that the two boys temporarily alienated him at the age of 9 because of his strict requirements.

Although Shay was expected to get the MVP, Nikil was still shocked when he learned the news.

"I was in an Oklahoma hotel room and I couldn't believe it," Nikil recalled learning that Shay had received the MVP. "Sometimes you think, 'What the hell is going on?' God is real. It's really great. Sometimes you really need to pinch yourself and take a step back because you may miss the journey you are going through in the pursuit of excellence and achieve your goals." Shay said at the MVP press conference that he thanked his father for teaching him to play basketball. He also mentioned that it was the family education that kept him humble.

"My family never let me be complacent or complacent about things outside," Shay said. "They are always honest and candid to me, and they are consistent no matter what I have achieved or what I have not achieved. They are the same people no matter whenever I walk into the house.

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" It's very inspiring for me. Not only does it show their qualities as human beings, it also teaches me to be balanced in life in order to keep moving forward and succeed."

Due to scheduling mistakes, Vaughn did not attend the MVP award ceremony in Oklahoma City on May 25. So he held a viewing party with his friends in Toronto and prepared a Shay MVP cake and T-shirt. On May 26, Vaughn was also present when his son took over the MVP trophy from NBA president Adam Xiao Hua.

"I was so excited," Vaughn said, "chewing loudly in the restaurant."

For Nikil, his NBA journey was full of more challenges.

Nikil played for the Pelicans from 2019 to 2022, and as a major substitute, he averaged 9.9 points per game. On February 9, 2022, he was involved in a deal involving three teams that brought CJ McCollum to the Pelicans and he was sent to the Utah Jazz. During his time with the Jazz, he had a decrease in role (average 13.3 minutes per game and scored 5.5 points in 51 games), and then he was sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with defender Mike Conley in another three-party deal on February 9, 2023.

"I used to send him some hymns and spiritual readings. He is a Christian, and I will send him prayers and share inspirational quotes from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant." Nikir's mother said, "I often talk to him, call him, and do everything possible to make him remember who he is. If the outside world doesn't tell you who you are, sometimes you forget that you may think you are not good enough because of the different things others say to you. But I just want to keep reminding him that although the situation is different now, his world is still different. You have been brilliant, but now the situation has changed. Just keep aware of your identity."

After worrying about the possibility of playing overseas, Nikir signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the Timberwolves in the summer of 2023. Today, he plays a major role as a substitute for the Timberwolves and is expected to become a highly sought-after free agent this summer.

Vaughn believes his nephew is heading towards the NBA stardom.

"Shay has an amazing rise, and Nikil is the opposite," Vaughn said, "but they are all my relatives. So I can understand how to tell a kid, 'Hey, don't worry you're not getting attention now, or the coach has an opinion on you, or you're cut by the team. If you really have the strength, keep working. The truth will eventually surface…'"

"We know how to deal with tough times. Because we believe in ourselves, we bet on ourselves. That's what Nikil is doing now. He's a free agent this year and the prospects look good."

In Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals, Nikil came out to the bench and scored a team-high 23 points and hit five three-pointers. Shay was not surprised by his cousin’s performance.

"He performed very well tonight, and I don't think he missed very much," Shay said. "I'm not totally surprised. I know what kind of player he is. It's only a matter of time when he can do his performance tonight, and it's a matter of time. And on a stage like this - it feels like half-time against each other - it's very interesting."

As the playoffs this year, the two families realize that the Thunder and the Timberwolves have a chance to meet in the Western Conference Finals. The Timberwolves advanced first, they beat the Golden State Warriors in five games, while the Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 Life and Death.

When the Western Conference Finals showdown between the Thunder and the Timberwolves was officially confirmed, Vaughan's sister sent a challenging message. “After the showdown came out, I immediately received a text message from my sister, and she said, ‘The showdown is now on, it’s a war.’” Vaughan said.

"This is our dream for a lifetime," said Shay.

Some lieutenant generals of the Alexander family entered the NBA Finals for the first time, but at the same time, some people stopped here and could not continue to move forward, without a compromise.

However, Vaughn's love for his two sons will never change. "When Shay attacks and Nikil defends, I will say, 'Come on, Shay. No, don't do this. Nikil, defend him. No, no, Shay, bounce.'" Vaughan said with a smile, "It's crazy, brother. But at the end of the day, it's a happy trouble."

Original text: MarcJ.Spears

Compiled by JayChan