‘Free-throw merchant’ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes heat from NBA media

One storyline from Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals was Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to get to the free-throw line.

The Thunder guard got to the line 14 times, half of which came in the first quarter alone, with some attempts being generated by questionable calls. That frequency spurred ESPN NBA analyst Doris Burke to say, “There’s a reason NBA Twitter likes to call him ‘The Free Throw Merchant,'” during Tuesday night’s broadcast.

Two high-profile NBA pundits are also pointing out SGA’s propensity to draw whistles. Following Game 1, former ESPN NBA writer and new Ringer employee Zach Lowe appeared on The Bill Simmons Podcast to give his takeaway from the game.

“If you’re Minnesota,” he said, “the one thing that you’re going to come out of the game, is ‘We have to get a better whistle on these SGA calls.'”

“I feel like Shai is getting this whistle that no one else in the playoffs is getting,” Simmons replied. “These little touch fouls or these bumps where you’re not sure who initiated the bumps and he’s just getting it.”

The fact that Burke mentioned SGA’s reputation on the broadcast, and now similar sentiments are cropping up among some of the most popular voices in the sport, suggests that this could become a driving narrative throughout the series.

NBA officiating has been at the forefront of media coverage this season. Throughout the playoffs, many have derided the league’s officials for allowing too much physicality, which is partly why SGA’s perceived treatment is drawing scrutiny.

But this is not a new story. League MVPs have long been accused of getting a favorable whistle.

While Tuesday’s questionable calls might lend some credence to that point of view, SGA has been top-three in free throw attempts per game for three consecutive seasons, long before he was MVP. He’s skilled at getting to the line, full-stop.

It’s not the most fun for fans, but it’s a reality of modern-day basketball. Getting to the free-throw line is a skill, and it’s on defenders to adapt.