Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to receive recognition from former NBA greats.

The 25-year-old OKC Thunder guard is averaging 31.1 points and 6.3 assists per game this season on an OKC Thunder (29-13) team that's second in the Western Conference standings. And after Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Neal called Gilgeous-Alexander one of his favorite players to watch on Jan. 16, fellow Hall of Famer Paul Pierce chimed in on Monday.

During an interview on Kevin Garnett's podcast, "KG Certified," Pierce was asked who his MVP is through the first half of the season.

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"For me, right now, Shai (Gilgeous-Alexander)," Pierce said. "I didn't know at this point that (OKC) was going to be fighting for first place at this point in the season. The numbers dude is putting up and the fluidity that he plays with.

"He's calm and he's cool. He done had some big games against all the top players. ... He giving out a lot of work."

There's truth to what Pierce is saying. He's not the only one who believes Gilgeous-Alexander should be in MVP discussions.

Garnett, a longtime Timberwolves star, went with Minnesota's Anthony Edwards as his leading MVP pick.

The sixth-year guard is ranked No. 3 in the NBA's MVP ladder behind Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is NBA MVP, Paul Pierce says