LeBron Literally Applauds SGA for NBA MVP Award in New Video amid Fan Criticism of Win

LeBron James congratulated Shai-Gilgeous Alexander for capping off the Oklahoma City Thunder's series sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers by winning his second straight NBA MVP award.

James applauded Gilgeous-Alexander's accomplishment around the 34:30 mark of Thursday's episode of his Mind the Game podcast with Steve Nash.

"First of all, should clap it up. Salute... You get props where props is due," James said. "Shai had one of the most efficient NBA campaigns that we've seen in NBA history.

"Did it at a high level no matter who was in and out of the lineup. He's missed his Robin a lot of the season in J-Dub, and he still kept it going."

Gilgeous-Alexander, who played most of the season without fellow star guard Jalen Williams, maintained his ongoing NBA-record streak of 140 straight regular-season games with at least 20 points.

He finished the season ranked second only to James' Lakers teammate Luka Dončić with 31.1 points per game before becoming the 14th back-to-back MVP in NBA history.

With Williams still on the sideline, Gilgeous-Alexander then helped the Thunder start out the playoffs with consecutive sweeps of the Phoenix Suns and Lakers.

Gilgeous-Alexander has also drawn criticism for leading the NBA in free throws made per game for three straight seasons.

James said Thursday he felt Gilgeous-Alexander deserved the award after establishing himself as an offensive threat on the level of Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

"I think he's very deserving. Nobody can sit here and be like, 'How the hell did Shai win again?'" James said. "Nobody can sit here and say that. To go up against them for four games, and obviously in the regular season as well, he does things to a defense, does things to opposing teams that you have to just simply account for.

"He's No. 2 and 3 on that scouting report. He's the head of the snake, and they have a great team... but at the end of the day, Shai sets the tone."

James continued, "If you don't treat him with the same level of respect you treat Giannis with— when Giannis get a rebound, everyone talks about, get back and low to Giannis... and you don't look at Shai like that from a physical standpoint, because you look at him, you're like, 'Okay, well he's not 6'11". He's not bulky strong like Giannis. He's not super physical like Giannis downhill.' But then you realize he absolutely is when you're on the floor."

Spurs-Thunder Highlights

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Gilgeous-Alexander most recently helped the Thunder bounce back from opening the Western Conference Finals with a double-overtime loss to the San Antonio Spurs by scoring 30 points in Wednesday's series-tying Game 2 win.

The Thunder will hope the two-time reigning MVP is once more able to step up potentially without Williams, who exited Game 2 with a recurring hamstring injury, when Game 3 tips off Friday night in San Antonio.