May 20, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) reacts after a play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth quarter during game one of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

20-Year NBA Veteran Defends Shai Gilgeous-Alexander From Major Criticism

Originally posted on Los Angeles Clippers on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated May 21, 2025 3:03 PM ET

The 2024-25 NBA MVP is set to be announced on Wednesday prior to the start of the Knicks-Pacers Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. A race that's down to Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it is believed that Gilgeous-Alexander will end up being the winner of the coveted award.

This comes after his Game 1 performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he scored 31 points to lead the Thunder to a second-half comeback win. While his performance was crucial in OKC's win, it came with a lot of criticism as he earned 14 free throw attempts, some of which were questionable. Coming to his defense, ex-Los Angeles Clippers star Jamal Crawford spoke up.

Pat McAfee: "[SGA] is like a throwback to 5 years ago when everybody was flopping all over the place. Should I hate it?"

Jamal Crawford: "You shouldn't. If you took out all his free throws, he'd still lead the league in scoring."️

(via @PatMcAfeeShow)pic.twitter.com/4LdW3cbfAr
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 21, 2025

Joining the Pat McAfee Show, Crawford defended Gilgeous-Alexander after McAfee shared he hates the foul-baiting that Shai does. "You shouldn't hate it. If you took out all his free throws, he'd still lead the league in scoring," Crawford said.

While there is no doubt that Gilgeous-Alexander does receive some questionable calls, Crawford's take isn't incorrect. Even though Gilgeous-Alexander led the league with 7.9 free throws made per game, the NBA's second-leading scorer, Giannis Antetokounmpo, led the league in free throw attempts at 10.6 per game.

All the 13 times Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was fouled in Game 1 vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves.
One of the fouls was successfully challenged, so technically 12 fouls.
Western Conference Finals, 2025 NBA Playoffs. pic.twitter.com/wbvo2jJGu0
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) May 21, 2025

Given that the argument has plenty of people siding on Crawford's side, it seems as though the NBA could look into how they officiate foul calling, given how players are still able to draw free throws using "non-basketball" moves. As for now, Gilgeous-Alexander will continue to find ways to get to the line and change the game for OKC.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Clippers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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