The Oklahoma City Thunder are likely going to secure the No. 1 seed in the NBA this regular season, holding a two-game lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The franchise is being led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his MVP-caliber performances. However, he’s complemented by excellent supporting stars such as forward Jalen Williams.
Williams and other OKC teammates seem to rally behind their leader. After Shai recently received flak for his excessive free throw attempts, Williams stood up for Shai and made the case why he’s owed more free throws on ‘The Young Man & The Three’ Podcast.
“He honestly should go to the free-throw line more. He leads the NBA in drives, and we’re like the lowest free-throw shooting team in the NBA. I think there are like six or seven people ahead of him that shoot more free throws. But because the media doesn’t like certain ways he gets fouled, that gets pushed. Just watch the games.”
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— TheYoungManAndTheThree (@OldManAndThree) April 8, 2025
Shai is averaging 32.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists this season, with many pegging him to secure his first career MVP in a matter of weeks. He will also be on pace to win the first scoring title of his career.
Many believe that the scoring title wouldn’t be possible without his excessive free throw attempts, as Shai is averaging 8.8 attempts and 7.9 makes per game from the charity stripe.
For context, last season’s scoring leader Luka Doncic averaged 33.9 points while shooting 8.7 free throws on 6.8 makes per game. It’s not surprising to see the scoring leader be a proficient free throw shooter, with 2022-23 scoring champion Joel Embiid averaging 33.1 points with 11.7 free throw attempts and 10.0 makes per game.
To claim Shai is not receiving enough free throws is a bit ridiculous. If we’re talking about pure fouls on players, the likes of Stephen Curry and LeBron James should be furious they’re receiving half the free throw calls that Shai has been given this season.
Shai’s free throw proficiency already has rival fans chanting against him, so this attempt by Jalen Williams will likely infuriate fans even more.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Isn’t Bothered By His ‘Free Throw Merchant’ Tag
Shai has already used similar arguments to Williams to justify why he is the beneficiary of so many free-throw calls. He openly admitted he doesn’t care for haters claiming he’s a free throw merchant, explaining why he deserves most of the calls he gets through his driving frequency and by his ability to manipulate contact.
“None at all. In the past couple of years, I led the NBA in drives. So I think, naturally, I’m going to get fouled on drives. Usually, you get fouled on drives more than jump shots. I think that’s just a natural part of the game.”
“And then I learned a few tricks through the trade along my way. I’ve turned it into a skill a little bit. As far as what people say, I don’t really care. As long as it’s efficient offense and my team wins, I’ll get it done.”
The greatest scorers do find ways to find themselves going to the free-throw line an awful lot, as we’ve seen previously. Maybe his proficiency of getting to the line is a result of him ascending to the club of some of the greatest scorers in NBA history.
