A common complaint throughout the regular season and postseason is that two-time NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is especially gifted at flopping, earning him numerous free throw opportunities throughout the game.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star shot 641 free throws this past season, making 540 of them. That was the most made of any NBA player, and the second most attempts at the line behind the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic.
And as the playoffs are underway, the flopping accusations continue, with memes often joking that the referees are part of the Oklahoma City roster. When the Thunder win a postseason game or series, there is typically outrage over Gilgeous-Alexander and sometimes, his OKC teammates, drawing a lot of foul calls throughout the game.
NBA legend Reggie Miller knows a thing or two about flopping and recently weighed in on “The Dan Patrick Show,” firing back at critics who claim SGA is getting too many free throws.
Donovan Mitchell Responds to LeBron James Possibly Joining Cavaliers
Patrick indicated that he can understand why fans wouldn’t want to see it in basketball games, but he wasn’t sure it was SGA’s fault or whether the referees are going to change how they call what they see.
“People have way too much time, because it’s SGA’s job to play the game of basketball. He’s not playing the game and officiating the game. Be more upset at the officials and how they have called it. He’s not blowing the whistle for himself,” Miller said.
Miller also mentioned that the SGA is averaging only 8.5 free throws through four games so far in the Western Conference Finals. According to the former Indiana Pacers star, in the two games when he shot the fewest free throws against the San Antonio Spurs, the Spurs were more disciplined on defense.
“People think he’s going to the free throw line 15 times a game. He’s only going eight times, people!” Miller said.
Miller also reminded everyone that you don’t see SGA constantly complaining to the referees after he falls on the court without a whistle, and that he’s only had three technical fouls compared to nine for Luka Doncic, who is always complaining about calls.
“People need to stop this. I’m serious. For as much hate as a two-time MVP gets, this guy has a polished game,” Miller said.
The former Pacers great also mentioned the legendary Michael Jordan, who complained much more and got far more technical fouls than SGA has.
Miller raised an excellent point regarding the Spurs cleaning up their defense, especially in Sunday’s Game 4. During that game, San Antonio used young stars Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, and Devin Vassell to defend Gilgeous-Alexander, who only had seven free throw attempts in the game.
Being aggressive in attacking the basket to score and drawing contact for potential fouls are certainly useful basketball skills, and some players have mastered them better than others, including SGA. Still, it’s up to the referees to make those calls in his favor, or ignore the theatrics and let the teams play on.
It’s also up to the Spurs coaching staff to devise the proper defensive strategy, and to the players to play clean, effective defense throughout the games against the two-time MVP.
SGA and the Thunder are back home in Oklahoma City for Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, which tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday.
More news: James Harden Passes Magic Johnson on NBA Playoff List With Cavs Game 4
For more about the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Read the full article here
