SGA Addresses FT Criticism, 'Nobody Cared' When Thunder Were 10 Seed, Compares Calls to Luka, Jokic
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn't particularly concerned with criticism that he looks for the officials' whistle and takes an exorbitant amount of free throws.
During an interview with Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated that covered numerous topics, Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned that he's only averaged double-digit free throw attempts once, in 2022-23, but that "nobody cared" because OKC was the No. 10 seed.
Gilgeous-Alexander also provided another reason why he feels fans aren't happy with him.
"I understand why [fans] are frustrated about it, because they're an X, Y and Z fan," Gilgeous-Alexander told Mannix. "They're playing against us, and in the past couple years we've happened to beat their team. And we beat their team because we scored more points. We scored points at the free throw line, midrange, three-point shot, free throw, everything. So I completely understand why they're frustrated.
"But you'll never hear an OKC fan complain about my free throws. You'll never hear a Denver fan complain about Jokić's free throws. You'll never hear a Lakers fan complain about Luka's free throws. It's just part of the business. But I love it, it creates buzz around the game. It creates rivalries. It creates energy. It's what makes the NBA so fun. Honestly, the fact that they care so much is great, because they care, they watch it on TV, the TV deals grow, I get more money. It's how it goes. That's honestly how I see it. So I love it. It's amazing. It makes the games more fun."
"Everybody in the history of the NBA has an arc where everyone loves them, and then everyone hates them," Gilgeous-Alexander added. "LeBron James was hated, and look what he's done for the game? It's part of the game. I love it. It's stuff I dreamed about as a kid."
Gilgeous-Alexander enters Friday averaging 9.1 free throw attempts per game, tied for second-most in the NBA with Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avidja. Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Dončić is first overall with 10.3 FTA.
SGA had 8.8 FTA in 2024-25 (second to Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo's 10.3) and 8.7 FTA in 2023-24 (tied for second Dončić behind only Antetokounmpo's 10.7).
His career-high 10.9 FTA in 2022-23 were third to Antetokounmpo (12.3) and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (11.7). SGA's free throw attempts over the first four years of his career (2018-19 to 2021-22) were 2.4, 5.1, 6.5 and 7.2.
Gilgeous-Alexander may also receive criticism for his free throw attempts simply because he makes a lot of them. He's an 89.2 percent free throw shooter this year and has shot between 87-90 percent from the charity stripe each of the last four seasons.
SGA's play hasn't been immune to chatter from coaches. New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown had this to say after his team fell 103-100 to OKC on March 4.
"SGA, he's a tough cover, and he does a great job of convincing the referees—probably better than anybody in the league—that he's getting hit," Brown told reporters.
Regardless of how people feel about SGA's play, it's working for him. The defending champions have won 10 straight to move to 55-15, the NBA's best record. Gilgeous-Alexander looks well on his way to his second straight MVP season, averaging 31.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
OKC will look to make it 11 straight wins when the team visits the Washington Wizards on Saturday.
