Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lawyers up to stop flopping mockery

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the most polarizing players in recent NBA history.

Younger fans are drawn to the Oklahoma City Thunder star, whereas the online consensus around him seems to be that he flops and flails way too much.

Considering that, his fellow Canadian NBA player, Dillon Brooks, and Underdog Sports teamed up to advertise a board game called "Unethical Hoops." The game mimics the classic game "Operation" in which players try to remove objects from the board through narrow openings. In the hoops version, players remove basketballs from a board that uses Gilgeous-Alexander's likeness.

It seems that the reigning MVP isn't pleased, as he's lawyered up to send them a cease and desist letter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander takes legal action to stop mockery

“In a letter dated May 22, 2026 obtained by The Athletic, Eric Fishman of law firm ArentFox Schiff LLP, representing Gilgeous-Alexander, asked Underdog to: “permanently cease and desist from any and all use of Mr. Gilgeous-Alexander’s NIL in any and all media, including but not limited to your website (including the Unethical Hoops Website), apps, social media accounts, digital marketing and advertisements, promotional emails, push notifications, affiliate or influencer placements, and any physical goods including but not limited to the board game advertised on the Unethical Hoops Website,” reported Jason Jones of The Athletic.

Gilgeous-Alexander must protect his brand, and any unlicensed use of his name, image or likeness should be frowned upon by his camp. On the other hand, taking legal action likely won't do much to help his reputation among his many critics.

As talented as Gilgeous-Alexander is, watching him fall and contort his body to draw contact in unnatural motion to get to the line over and over can be a tough watch.

He doesn't need all that flailing to make an impact on both ends of the court, which is also likely why he's drawn that much criticism.

That said, that's just a part of the game. People will always target winners, and the OKC Thunder have done more winning than anyone in the league in the past couple of seasons.