Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s father has spoken out in protection of his son.
Vaughn Alexander used to play basketball and coached son Shai Gilgeous-Alexander within the earlier years, earlier than he elevated to change into top-of-the-line guards within the sport.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is likely one of the favourites to win the MVP award this season, which would be the first time for a guard since James Harden who gained it in 2018.
He helped the OKC Thunder group end as the highest seed within the West final season and is repeating the identical in 2024-25 as properly.
Regardless of all he has performed this marketing campaign, there have been lots of people who’ve criticised Shai Gilgeous- Alexander for foul-baiting.
Nonetheless, his dad has are available help and silenced the critics.
SGA makes an attempt 8.9 free-throw makes an attempt per sport, which ranks second within the league.
Talking about his capability to attract fouls, Alexander stated on ‘No Chill with Gil’ podcast : “It’s really a ability. You return to Iverson and Kobe and the blokes that do it…
“Once I beat you and you may’t get better and keep in entrance of me, it’s a foul, m*********r.”
Alexander additionally acknowledged his son’s sport is totally different from others and loads of drawing fouls is all the way down to his skillset.
“On the finish of the day he’s altering paces, he’s not attempting to blow by you together with his velocity and dunk it out and contact the moon.
“In fact it’s a must to have some athleticism with it, nevertheless it’s his first step is what it’s towards, he’s not gonna run a 50-yard sprint the quickest, his first step will lure you, he’ll change tempo, he’ll change route on you, in order that’s gonna result in fouls generally,” added Alexander.
Alongside the MVP award, the Defensive Participant of the race can be heating up.
Draymond Inexperienced and Evan Mobley have been main the conversations, however former Boston Celtics legend Kevin Garnett has put SGA’s title within the listing of gamers that additionally must be thought-about for the award.
Talking on the ‘KG Licensed’ podcast, he stated: “Shai don’t get sufficient credit score.
“I believe Shai’s offence shadows his protection.
“You don’t see his deflections, you don’t see his steals, I really thought he was one of many uncommon gamers to win MVP and nonetheless be in talks to be DPOY, I believe he’s that lively.
“I like Shai, it could say one thing to even be thought-about for DPOY.”
The Thunder star has a defensive score of 106.8 which is just second to his personal teammate Jalen Williams.
He’s averaging 1.8 steals per sport and can be enjoying a significant position within the group’s defensive brilliance.
Whether or not he achieves the glory by successful each the trophies is a query that solely time can reply, however even when he doesn’t, SGA’s season might go down as top-of-the-line particular person one for any guard within the league.