Chris Paul's son Chris Paul II drops 2-word reaction on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's New Year bars 

Chris Paul's son, Chris Paul II, admires OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Paul and Gilgeous-Alexander were teammates for a season in 2019-20. The OKC guard grew under Paul's leadership and became an All-Star player.

Chris Paul II, who is just beginning his basketball journey, has declared Gilgeous-Alexander a 'hero.' Here's what the freshman wrote under the OKC star's latest IG post:

"The hero"

Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander continued to drop bars in his Instagram caption.

"I’m not really tryna kick it in the new year, i’m really tryna kick it in a new gear," he wrote.

Chris Paul's son frequently joins Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's fans on social media, showing love to the OKC star. Chris Paul II even poked fun at the MVP candidate in a 15-week-old post after Gilgeous-Alexander became a father.

"unc a father now," Chris Jr. wrote.

Chris Paul II is a high school freshman at Campbell Hall.

Paul and Gilgeous-Alexander landed on the Thunder via trades in 2019. The Rockets dealt Paul, while Gilgeous-Alexander was involved in the mega deal, which saw Paul George go to the Clippers.

That's when the two grew close. Paul and Gigeous-Alexander have been fond of each other since and haven't hidden their relationship's emotional aspects.

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Chris Paul once emotionally revealed details of his bond with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Chris Paul has moved around a lot in the NBA since he was traded to the Rockets. His family has stayed in LA in the meantime. It has been a tough journey for the veteran guard to stay away from his loved ones during his career, and the OKC Thunder situation was no different.

However, life down there was made easier for Paul because of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's presence. The San Antonio Spurs star spoke about their bond in November 2023 on the "Point Forward" podcast, saying:

"I try not to get emotional when I talk about Shai, man, because that was my first year living without my family, without my wife and my kids in LA. "And, man, Shai, he's just a basketball head, right? You show me somebody who loves basketball and crazy about their family, then me and them gonna be tight."

During the Thunder's Media Day in October 2024, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander credited Chris Paul for his ascension into a bonafide MVP-caliber star.

"Chris was the first player I was around that was very particular about the things outside of basketball," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "He was the first person I was around that ate a certain way, that made sure they were lifting a certain amount of times during the week. He would watch basketball games differently... Not watching as a fan."

Gilgeous-Alexander has molded the Thunder into perennial playoff contenders. OKC is the best team in the West with a 27-5 record and is one of the hot favorites to win the title.

Meanwhile, Chris Paul is now with the Spurs, who are looking to turn a corner with Victor Wembanyama in his second season.