Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Addresses Critics in Recent Social Media Post

The post addressed the topics of the teams' supposed inexperience, how the trajectory of this team proposed by doubters were projected in jealousy for a team as young and as impressive as this one. More importantly, Gilgeous-Alexander noted how, regardless of the accolades, notable achievements and historic stats racked up, this Thunder team and its legendary season was not getting near the amount of respect it truly deserved—namely due to its youth and "inexperience."

Even when making the playoffs as the first seed out of the West, and convincingly, while garnering 68 wins in a single season, it somehow got worse. More eyes meant more hate and criticism, and with that came the "free throw merchant" title, something that became so prevalent in mainstream NBA culture that even ESPN commentators were regurgitating it—and still, Gilgeous-Alexander wasn't bothered one bit, never feeling the need to take the bait.

He remained poised, calm and determined, only competing against himself day after day as he battled alongside his teammates throughout an arduous and unforgettable postseason run. And with that came an NBA title—something the naysayers can never take away from him, this team or this city.

They'll try to one way or another, though. Whether it's an asterisk on the 2024-25 championship due to a devastating Tyrese Haliburton injury, saying this team is a one-hit wonder or stating that the refs played too big of a role, it doesn't matter.

Gilgeous-Alexander got this city its first ring; he and the Thunder will continue to bet on itself heading into next season, and the haters will be ever-so rampant then, too.