The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder made an enormous assertion in Sport 1 of the Western Convention Finals.
They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves by 26 factors in a sport that was by no means shut.
As typical, that led detractors to level out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s fixed journeys to the road.
Identical to has occurred to James Harden, Trae Younger or Joel Embiid, the Thunder star is drawing criticism for being a so-called “free-throw service provider.”
ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith doesn’t suppose that’s the case.
“I’m going to say no, and right here’s why I’m going to say no: As a result of the calls he will get, he earns,” Smith mentioned on “First Take.”
.@stephenasmith does not imagine SGA will get too many calls.
What do you suppose? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/P8k529Udd6
— First Take (@FirstTake) Could 21, 2025
As a three-level scorer and an elite shot-creator and mid-range shooter, “SGA” forces the opposing protection to choose their poison, typically resulting in fouls in an try to neutralize him.
Whereas he does provoke contact at instances, he’s legitimately getting fouled, and that’s a byproduct of his scoring versatility.
Gilgeous-Alexander went to the road 14 instances within the win, sinking 11 of these makes an attempt.
Opposite to common perception, he went to the road 8.8 instances per sport this season, with 7.9 of his league-leading 32.7 factors per sport coming from the stripe.
That quantity is barely as much as 9.2 within the playoffs.
He can get factors in a rush, and although he’s not probably the most proficient 3-point shooter, he’s the type of participant who have to be guarded the size of the court docket.
His status could be truthful to an extent, however he’d nonetheless be a proficient scorer with out the free throws.
