Nash won MVP in 2005 and 2006 while playing for the Phoenix Suns, but Gilgeous-Alexander is reaching new heights. Nash never advanced past the conference final, but the Thunder is up 1-0 on Minnesota after SGA scored 31 in the series opener. OKC will be a heavy favourite over either Eastern Conference squad if the Thunder advances. The Thunder outscored opponents by an NBA-record 12.9 points per game, which meant Gilgeous-Alexander sat out a number of entire fourth quarters because the team’s lead was so comfortable. Gilgeous-Alexander also has plenty of runway. He’s only 26, while Nash was 31 when he won MVP for the first time. By then Nash was done playing for the Canadian national team. Gilgeous-Alexander helped them win bronze at the World Cup two summers ago and qualify for the Olympics for the first time since the Nash-led team made it in 2000. They will try again for a medal in Los Angeles in 2028. Expect Gilgeous-Alexander to pick up plenty more hardware before then as he builds his case as the best Canadian baller ever. He wasn’t going there about a year and half ago when he told reporters in response to Stephon Marbury saying he was the greatest: “I appreciate that, but Steve is still ahead of me. I’m going to try to catch him, but he’s still ahead of me.” With Wednesday’s win and Oklahoma City on the precipice of a trip to the NBA Final and perhaps more, that’s no longer the case. @WolstatSun