The Oklahoma City Thunder has been generating buzz this season, particularly regarding its relationship with fouling. Their top-ranked defense is largely due to a historic talent for making opposing teams commit fouls, which often involves some clever, subtle grabs before they can make a pass. On offense, much of OKC’s success hinges on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s knack for scoring easy points from the free-throw line.
There’s definitely something noteworthy about Gilgeous-Alexander, who many believe might be a frontrunner for the MVP award in 2025. He’s really mastered the skill of drawing fouls. In 2023, he made a compelling case for MVP with a fifth-place finish, largely thanks to his impressive average of 10.9 free throws per game—this ranks as one of the highest averages for guards since 2000.
After Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, critics had plenty to say about SGA’s foul-drawing tactics. In that game, he struggled in the first half while the Minnesota Timberwolves were vying for an early lead, shooting only two-thirds from the floor and wasting critical possessions by chasing fouls instead of actually playing the game. It’s almost like watching someone fuss over a pickup game—flopping doesn’t really work when players are just calling it as they see it.
I cast my hypothetical MVP vote for Gilgeous-Alexander this year and have admired his game since his Kentucky days. That said, some of his antics in Game 1 were a bit cringe-worthy; honestly, just play the game!
Eventually, Gilgeous-Alexander came through. The Thunder transformed their game from a fourth-quarter deficit to a decisive win, thanks in large part to SGA’s shooting finesse. He finished with 31 points and nine assists. Admittedly, he was still looking to draw fouls late in the game, but this time he was focusing more on making actual shots rather than flops. Various factors shifted the game towards a blowout, showcasing SGA’s incredible agility and scoring touch.
The matchup between SGA and Anthony Edwards highlights the importance of length and skill in showcasing superstar guards. Edwards possesses a phenomenal blend of speed and power, adept at attacking the rim and pulling off impressive dunks. However, his progression this season has gone deeper than sheer athleticism. His decision-making against defenses has noticeably improved, and his ability to shoot pull-up threes has become quite remarkable. Last season, Edwards averaged 6.7 threes per game; this year, that number jumped to 10.3, largely inspired by Steph Curry’s style.
Why do top NBA players take so many threes? It boils down to finding advantages. With Edwards’ pull-up threat, he forces defenders to adjust; if they overcommit to stopping his drive, he can easily pull up for a shot. It’s impressive that a player who seemed far from elite shooting when he entered the league from Georgia has transformed into a top shooter this season.
On the other hand, Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t known for taking a ton of threes; he averaged 5.7 per game this year, placing him 53rd in the league. Instead, he showcases his effectiveness by repeatedly getting to the foul line. While this may frustrate some fans who find the game pace tedious, it’s undeniably an effective strategy for generating offense.
Drawing fouls is indeed a skill, and SGA excels at it. While players like Edwards are explosive and straightforward in their approach, Gilgeous-Alexander is more elusive, like a snake weaving through grass. He deftly utilizes his handle and stops on a dime, making it challenging for defenders to contain him. His off-arm becomes a weapon as he expertly avoids fully extending it for offensive fouls.
In Game 1, he took 17 shots. Want to draw free throws? The key is consistently attacking the paint. Like a seasoned boxer, SGA understands leverage and how to exploit it when his opponent is off balance.
SGA’s average of 8.8 free-throw attempts per game ranks him second in the regular season, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 10.6. That’s quite a few, though it’s crucial to note that he isn’t on the list of players with at least nine free throw attempts per game for this season. In fact, his free throw attempts decreased in the playoffs.
Most of the fouls drawn per game in this playoffs: Giannis Antetokounmpo – 10.2, Jalen Brunson – 7.4, Luka Doncic – 7.0, Nikola Jokic – 7.0, LeBron James – 6.6, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 6.6, Donovan Mitchell – 6.6.
Gilgeous-Alexander is notably one of the league’s most mid-range-focused players, scoring 48% of his field goals from that zone this year, ranking in the 94th percentile. He accomplished that with a 51% success rate, which places him in the 98th percentile.
Critics argue that today’s NBA players, especially stars, rely too heavily on three-pointers, which many teams seem to emulate. However, with Gilgeous-Alexander, it’s different; he scores from mid-range like Jordan and Kobe did, while the Thunder utilize a strong boundary defense. Yet, basketball remains a game dominated by size, and hitting 51% from mid-range isn’t necessarily enough to tip the scales. SGA’s strength is in his ability to reach the foul line while players like Edwards focus on three-point shooting. Without getting consistently to the line, winning in the NBA becomes significantly more challenging.
It’s tough to shake off a reputation once it’s established, and it seems Gilgeous-Alexander might always carry the “grifter” label. However, emphasizing this aspect detracts from the brilliance of his overall game. He’s having one of the better seasons for a guard since the era of Jordan, and his ability to shoot and draw free throws is just part of what makes him so exceptional.
