Former Oklahoma City Thunder Star Has 1 Perfect Response to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Free Throw Merchant Allegations 4 May 24, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) dribbles the ball against Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half in game three of the Western Conference Finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images

Former Oklahoma City Thunder Star Has 1 Perfect Response to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Free Throw Merchant Allegations

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated May 30, 2025 9:47 AM ET

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been labeled a “free throw merchant” by his haters because of his uncanny ability to draw fouls, and one of the team’s former stars recently chimed in with his thoughts.

Paul George talked about Gilgeous-Alexander during a recent “Podcast P” episode, and the Philadelphia 76ers swingman said he isn’t buying into the league MVP’s foul-baiting allegations.

“It’s more to it with Shai than him foul baiting… He just understands how to play physical and get guys out of position. That’s why he’s so deadly,” George said about Gilgeous-Alexander.

Minnesota Timberwolves HC Addressed Edwards' 1st Half Performance 3 May 22, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the fourth quarter during game two of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Gilgeous-Alexander recently won the Magic Johnson trophy for the Western Conference Finals MVP award after leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012.

Oklahoma City Thunder News: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander draws bold claim from one-time NBA champion after WCF win

Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce recently floated the idea of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the face of the NBA after the latter guided the Oklahoma City Thunder back to the NBA Finals.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 40-Point Game Leds Team Past the Lakers 1 Apr 2, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) gestures after scoring against the Detroit Pistons during the first quarter at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

“We’re talking about an all-time run right now by this kid,” Pierce said on FS1’s Speak. “If we’re gonna be talking about faces of the league, if they win the NBA championship, we gotta start looking at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.”

“68-win team. Number one seed. They just dominated in the conference finals. They made Ant-Man look like a mere mortal (with) the suffocating defense. When I look at championship teams, I try to look to look for chinks in the armor, this is one oft he more complete teams that I’ve seen in quite some time,” he added.