“Modern Kobe”: Oklahoma State’s Unwanted Statistic Exposed as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Divides Opinion After Timberwolves vs OKC

“It’s so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton. You know they really do. They foul all the time and then you know, you can’t really touch Shai.” Earlier this year, Chris Finch revealed his frustration about playing against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Co. The biggest reason – SGA’s ability to get to the free throw line and put his opponents in foul trouble. Some accuse him of being a “free throw merchant” while some deem it a rare skill, but either way, it gets results. And that’s exactly what happened last night.

During Game 1 of the West Finals, Shai toyed with the Timberwolves’ defense and went to the free throw line fourteen times. Out of his 31 total points, eleven came from the charity stripes. Moreover, his ability to generate fouls forced Jaden McDaniels to foul out with over five minutes remaining in the final quarter. With SGA providing the massive edge, Thunder took advantage and blew out the visitors by 26 points.

Well, SGA was the only player on either team with double digit free throw attempts. The closest was Anthony Edwards with seven. The gap was so evident that veteran broadcaster Doris Burke even pointed it out during the live broadcast, “There’s a reason NBA Twitter likes to call him the free throw merchant, Mike.” Even after the game got over, Ant-Man and Julius Randle were caught laughing at the box score during the postgame presser. Although it’s not clear what exactly they were laughing about, many speculate it to be the massive free throw disparity between Shai and the rest. “It’s crazy.” Edwards remarked. Even the hoop community was divided by the way SGA got his points in Game 1.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring tactics generate mixed emotions after WCF Game 1 win

Obviously, many fans love the way Shai plays. After all, he is the MVP frontrunner and was this season’s leading scorer, averaging 32.7 points. So, they defended him amid the criticism by making a bold comparison, “We’ve got modern Kobe in our midst and people complaining.” Although SGA doesn’t have the accolades or legacy of Kobe Bryant yet, he definitely has shades of The Black Mamba in his game.

We’ve got modern Kobe in our midst and people complaining https://t.co/8N3VOh3phg

— Harrison Hamm (@harrisonhamm21) May 21, 2025

Of course, Kobe was also a lethal scorer, who once averaged 35.4 points in the season and attempted over ten free throws per game for three consecutive years. He was a master at generating fouls. Now, SGA has also mastered that skill, and averaged 8.8 free throw attempts this year. So, there is some similarity between him and the Lakers legend. Another netizen pointed out that many players, past and present, have used free throw shooting as a key weapon in their arsenal and Shai deserves to do the same if it’s within the rules, “The Thunder got the entire NBA world hate-watching & talking about FTs. We watched Kobe, Bron, Dirk, MJ, Wade, Giannis, Magic, AD, Mitchell, Rose, Pierce, KD, Morant, Butler, Harden, AI, Malone, Hakeem, Shaq, Sabonis & Barkley all shoot 20+ FTs in a playoff game.”

However, not every netizen was this positive about it. Many also criticized the Thunder star for his tactics, even throwing shade at the people of OKC, “OKC fans ignoring the reffing is a perfect example of why their state ranks 49th in education. Zero critical thinking. Wolves got outplayed easily but not acknowledging that is a malpractice for basketball.” Per multiple reports, Oklahoma state ranks second last in America in education, and one fan highlighted that stat to point out their bias toward officiating.

OKC fans ignoring the reffing is a perfect example of why their state ranks 49th in education

Zero critical thinking

Wolves got outplayed easily but not acknowledging that is a malpractice for basketball

— Timberwolves Muse (@Wolvesmuse) May 21, 2025

One even questioned the legitimacy of a call where Shai initiates contact with Jaden McDaniels and falls to the floor as if he was the one who got hit, “Another insane SGA flop. There is no way this is a foul in the NBA let alone a foul in the playoffs where ‘it’s supposed to be more physical.’ Shai goes into McDaniels and flops. It’s obvious. Doris saying ‘idk how he finishes this play’ lol there was no contact.”

Another insane SGA flop. There is no way this is a foul in the NBA let alone a foul in the playoffs where “it’s supposed to be more physical.” Shai goes into MvDaniels and flops. It’s obvious. Doris saying “idk how he finishes this play” lol there was no contact pic.twitter.com/UbgIJk7swh

— will jones (@Will_d_jones) May 21, 2025

Of course, this is also the reason many don’t think SGA deserves to win MVP this year. Sure, he is the league’s leading scorer and the best player on the best regular season team. But Nikola Jokic has averaged a triple-double with far less free throw attempts despite being a Center. “I don’t know a single Wolves fan that dislikes Jokic or the Nuggets. I don’t know a single Wolves fan that likes SGA and the Thunder. It’s because one plays the game the right way and the other doesn’t.” A fan remarked. Although Shai will likely end up winning the MVP despite the criticism, it’s clear that not everyone is a fan of his playing style.

However, he doesn’t seem to care as long as his team is winning. He even addressed the ‘free throw merchant’ accusations earlier this year, “I think naturally, I am going to get fouled on drives. Usually, you get fouled on drives more than jump shots, so that’s just like a natural part of the game. And then I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade along my way. And 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.” What is your opinion on Shai’s high free throw volume?

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