Free-Throw Master: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Embraces Merchant Label to Lead Oklahoma City Thunder to NBA Finals
In the midst of leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 3-1 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become a target for "free-throw merchant" chants from Timberwolves fans. However, the Oklahoma City star is embracing the label and using it as a compliment to his game.
After leading the Thunder to a 128-126 win in Game 4 on Monday night, Gilgeous-Alexander went 12 of 14 from the free-throw line, accounting for all but four of the team's made free throws and two-thirds of its attempted shots from the stripe. He also scored Oklahoma City's final five points from the charity stripe, though he missed a critical one down the stretch that could have put the game away earlier.
Despite the chants and even a callout from ESPN's Doris Burke in the first half, Gilgeous-Alexander is not letting it get to him. In fact, he sees it as a compliment to his game. "In terms of the label, I don’t care," he said. "I never cared...I’ve shot more free throws in a season than I did this season. I think because we’re on top of everybody’s radar, it’s a little more noticeable and now people care about it."
This season, Gilgeous-Alexander led the league with 7.9 made free throws per game and attempted the second-most per game in the NBA behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo. And during the 2022-23 campaign, he beat both of those figures significantly.
With the Thunder just a single win away from reaching their first NBA Finals since 2012, there is absolutely no reason for Gilgeous-Alexander to change his strategy. Like it or not, it's incredibly effective. And while opposing fans may find it annoying, Gilgeous-Alexander is likely to continue using his skills to get to the basket and draw fouls, knowing that it's a successful and easy way to get points on the board more often than not.
As he continues his pursuit of NBA glory, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is embracing his new label as "free-throw merchant" and using it as motivation to lead the Thunder to their first NBA Finals since 2012.
