Toronto basketball followers have many causes to tune into the ultimate of the NBA conference-the Raptors season has been within the temper in a very long time.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, born in Toronto, and the high-ranking Thunder in Oklahoma Metropolis settle for his cousin Nickeil Alexander Walker and the Minnesota Timberwolves within the Western Convention Finale.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s father, Vaughn Alexander, mentioned CBC Toronto on Wednesday that it feels “surreal” that his son and nephew compete towards one another.
“Each man wins, I win,” mentioned Alexander. “One in all them will play in an NBA ultimate.”
He skilled Gilgeous-Alexander and Alexander Walker after they have been youngsters.
The 2 cousins, who have been solely born two months away, have performed their complete life collectively, which Alexander says that they create a aggressive atmosphere between the 2.
“They are going to take one another onerous and that their complete life did, however they know on the finish of the day, it’s all the very best,” mentioned Alexander.
He mentioned his son and nephew have been the very best pals since they have been youngsters and performed collectively in the identical workforce till he separated for faculty when Gilgeous-Alexander performed for the Kentucky Wildcats and Alexander Walker for the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Gilgeous-Alexander was moved in by the Charlotte Hornets 2018 within the 2018 NBA design and his cousin was collapsed a 12 months later by the Brooklyn Nets.
Alexander says it does not matter who wins the sequence on the finish of the day, as a result of this can be a “win -win” station for him.
“It is a fairly good downside,” he mentioned. “I am unable to lose, proper? I’ve two youngsters within the Western Convention ultimate.”
“I simply need each to play nicely, be wholesome and have an excellent sequence, and after that I’ll have a good time a technique or one other.”
When requested what it feels wish to compete towards his cousin, Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned that it was very particular.
“He’s actually my second brother. He went via each part of life with me,” he mentioned on Sunday in an interview after the sport.
The NBA stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nickeil Alexander Walker will probably be on their method along with Staff Canada to Paris. The couple is with Dwight Drummond from CBC to debate how rising up within the GTA contributed to the truth that the gamers they’re now and their epic battles for the doorway.
“For each of us, there’s something particular the place we’re. There may be nonetheless one thing particular to compete towards one another. However I am positive to take off his head,” mentioned Gilgeous-Alexander.
On Tuesday night, Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 114-88 within the first recreation of the Finest-of-Seven Convention Ultimate.
The 2 groups will face one another once more for recreation 2 on Thursday night.
