One of the most consistent themes in basketball and the NBA is both fans and players alike being upset with the match officials for getting calls on the floor wrong. There is not a single playoff series, or even a game that goes by without someone complaining about how the game was called. Many stars are famous for berating the officials, none more so currently than Luka Doncic.
Doncic is widely considered the best young player in the league, but another that’s making his mark on the NBA is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Oklahoma City not being in a position to win means that Shai flies under the radar, but he has quietly been putting up some truly elite numbers this season. And one thing that people have noticed about his game is that he rarely has a word to say to the officials about any calls that should or shouldn’t have gone his way.
Speaking after a monster 33-point and 14-rebound performance in a loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, Gilgeous-Alexander was asked about how he manages to keep his cool with the officials and gave a surprisingly mature answer.
“I just feel like as an official, you can’t be perfect. And every player wants every official to be perfect. I guess I kind of understand that there are missed calls just like we turnover the basketball and make mistakes …and I get plenty of foul calls.”
This take shows just how mature SGA is despite only being 23 years of age. the understanding that officials are also just humans that are trying to do a job is often lost on sports fans and indeed sports players, so this is a very level-headed take from Shai. Gilgeous-Alexander is fast becoming a star in the league, averaging over 24 points this season and with an attitude like this, he is sure to find success soon.
