On Thursday night at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder to a 118-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, pushing the series lead to two games. Despite his performance, the NBA MVP has faced criticism for being labeled a “free throw merchant” due to his knack for drawing fouls during games.
Jay Williams Responds to Criticism Surrounding Gilgeous-Alexander
The former No. 2 overall NBA draft pick, Jay Williams, addressed the controversy surrounding Gilgeous-Alexander on social media, pushing back against claims that the star guard is exploiting the free throw system. Williams highlighted the volume of free throw attempts made by Gilgeous-Alexander in the playoffs, noting that while he attempted 125 free throws in 13 games, other legendary players have recorded even higher numbers.
So I just want to make sure I have this accurately, because being correct is important, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a free throw merchant because he gets fouled in the playoffs while averaging nearly 30 damn points a night? Got it,
Williams said.
He compared Gilgeous-Alexander’s free throw attempts to those of icons such as LeBron James and Michael Jordan, pointing out that in 2009, LeBron attempted 188 free throws and Jordan attempted 190 in 1989.
Cool, so let’s just retroactively label MJ as a free throw finesser, or LeBron as a contract connoisseur, how about D-Wade as the original Miami merchant?
Williams concluded by calling Gilgeous-Alexander “unguardable,” urging critics to “stop crying” and focus on playing defense instead. His video commentary gained significant attention, accruing tens of thousands of views shortly after posting.
Context of the Ongoing Playoff Series
The Thunder’s recent win marked an important step in their playoff run, with Gilgeous-Alexander’s leadership playing a critical role. His ability to consistently score while drawing fouls adds a strategic advantage that fans and analysts continue to debate. The comments from Williams underscore the ongoing conversation around how star players’ performances are perceived, especially regarding their styles of play during high-stakes games.
As the series against the Timberwolves continues, Gilgeous-Alexander’s impact on both ends of the court and the way defenders adjust to his game will likely remain a key storyline. How opponents respond beyond complaints about free throw attempts could shape the outcome of the playoff matchup.