Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder didn’t hold back when he joined teammate Alex Caruso on The Old Man and the Three podcast, calling out the national media for what he described as “lazy coverage” of the NBA.
In an era where narrative often trumps nuance, Williams shed light on how mainstream basketball coverage has shifted from substance to spectacle—and how that’s hurting the league’s perception.
“I think a lot of it is the national media just don’t be watching the games… If I’m being honest, bro, everybody’s just kind of like waiting for their… what drives it is like… whatever they push out is what people are going to respond to.”
In his view, the media crafts a story first and fits the facts later, rather than letting real basketball dictate the narrative. That sentiment hit especially hard when he discussed the discourse around teammate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP frontrunner who has been labeled a “foul merchant” by critics.
Shai leads the NBA in drives per game but is only third in free throw attempts behind Joel Embiid and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Despite the data showing he earns his trips to the line through legitimate contact and crafty footwork—particularly a unique side-by-side motion to initiate fouls—he continues to be criticized by those who don’t take the time to break down the film. “
Dude, just watch the games,” Williams added, clearly frustrated.
Caruso echoed those thoughts, going further by calling out the broader culture of highlight-hunting over actual game analysis.
“It’s just become cool to not watch basketball. It’s all about entertainment value… clip farming, looking for highlights instead of the substance of the game.”
The former Laker and current Thunder glue guy reminisced about the SportsCenter of old, where nightly highlights showcased every game equally instead of boiling basketball down to viral moments and tired hot takes.
That shift is evident in today’s landscape, where shows like Inside the NBA—once revered for their mix of humor and hoops insight—have come under fire. Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley have been repeatedly roasted online for admitting they don’t watch certain teams or players before offering sweeping criticisms.
Thunder fans in particular have taken offense at their dismissive takes on OKC’s success this season, with Williams and Caruso giving voice to what many viewers have long suspected: national analysts aren’t doing the homework anymore.
Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander continues to dominate. The MVP favorite is averaging 32.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game while leading the Thunder to a league-best 64-13 record.
He’s the engine of a team that doesn’t rely on superstar stacking or media hype to win—just defense, execution, and chemistry. Yet, rather than being celebrated for his artistry, he’s constantly subjected to scrutiny over how he draws fouls, a narrative that Williams says is manufactured, not earned.
As the playoffs loom, the Thunder aren’t just chasing a title—they’re fighting to rewrite the narrative. And Jalen Williams has made it clear: if you’re going to talk about OKC, at least watch the damn game first.
