In 2024-25, the league had two worthy candidates for MVP. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic have been undoubtedly the highest two. Nevertheless, SGA took house the award on Wednesday afternoon.
The most important knock on Gilgeous-Alexander is that followers and media members are calling him a “foul service provider”. SGA is closely criticized for his skill to get to the free-throw line. Playoff Central is a present on NBA TV, and one of many crew members had an opposing take within the SGA dialog. Former NBA participant Brendan Haywood argued that the “foul service provider” narrative in opposition to SGA is overblown.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the most recent famous person to be criticized for foul-baiting
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks twenty third in free throw makes an attempt amongst gamers who averaged 30+ PPG since 2005 — and simply tenth among the many final 20 MVPs
Possibly the ‘foul service provider’ discuss is overblown 😬
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) Might 22, 2025
On Tuesday evening, the Thunder have been house to face the Timberwolves in Sport 1 of the Western Convention Finals. In a 114-88 win, Oklahoma Metropolis’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 31 factors. SGA went to the free-throw line 14 occasions in Sport 1. Seven of these 14 makes an attempt got here in simply the primary quarter. That led to ESPN recreation analyst Doris Burke calling the 2024-25 MVP a “free-throw service provider” in Sport 1.
It didn’t finish there for SGA. Revered media member Invoice Simmons from The Ringer mentioned that Gilgeous-Alexander is “getting this whistle that nobody else within the playoffs is getting.” Whereas some name SGA a “foul service provider”, Brendan Haywood doesn’t see it that approach. As an alternative, he applauds the 26-year-old for his skill to assault the mid-range and never accept three-pointers. Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA with 21.8 discipline purpose makes an attempt per recreation in 2024-25.
His 8.8 free throws tried per recreation have been second within the NBA this previous season. SGA ranks twenty third in free-throw makes an attempt for gamers who’ve averaged 30+ factors per recreation since 2005. Moreover, he’s tenth in free-throw makes an attempt among the many final 20 MVPs of the league. Does Shai Gilgeous-Alexander foul bait, in fact. Nevertheless, he’s removed from the one participant who does it. All of the criticism goes to SGA due to his staff’s success and his successful MVP. Media members have to cease the overblown narrative of SGA being a “foul service provider”.
