Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Is Silencing the “Free-Throw Merchant” Talk - One Bucket at a Time
For years, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had to hear the same tired refrain: that his scoring prowess is inflated by trips to the free-throw line. The “free-throw merchant” label has hung around like an unwanted shadow, ready to reappear any time he lights up the scoreboard.
But here’s the thing - the numbers just don’t back that up anymore. In fact, they never really did.
This season, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 23.8 points per game excluding free throws. That’s not a typo.
Strip away every single point he earns at the line, and he’s still producing at a top-five level in the league. That puts him shoulder to shoulder with the NBA’s most elite scorers - the kind of players who rarely get questioned for how they get their buckets.
So let’s be clear: Shai isn’t living at the line. He’s thriving from the field.
Watch him play and it becomes obvious. He’s a three-level scorer in the purest sense.
Whether it’s the silky pull-up from midrange, the slippery drives through traffic, or the tough finishes through contact, Gilgeous-Alexander is creating offense in ways that go well beyond drawing fouls. The free throws?
They’re not the foundation - they’re the byproduct of a player who keeps defenses on their heels and forces them to make mistakes.
And if you’re wondering how he feels about the narrative, he’s not losing sleep over it.
“I don’t care... never cared,” Gilgeous-Alexander said earlier this season. “I think because we’re on the top of everyone’s radar it’s a little more noticeable and now people care about it. Kind of see it as a compliment.”
That’s a veteran answer from a player who’s clearly locked in on bigger goals. And he has every reason to be.
He’s attempting fewer free throws per game than he did during his first All-NBA campaign - back when the “free-throw merchant” label wasn’t even part of the conversation. The difference now?
He’s leading a team that’s winning. A lot.
With Oklahoma City sitting atop the Western Conference, Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t just in the MVP conversation - he’s right at the front of it. His all-around game, leadership, and relentless scoring have powered the Thunder to the best record in basketball. And as he continues to deliver night in and night out, those old narratives are fading fast.
But Shai isn’t just elevating himself - he’s lifting up those around him, too.
After a recent win, he made a point to advocate for rookie big man Chet Holmgren, who’s been a revelation in his first full season.
“Chet is most definitely an All-Star,” Shai said. “From the moment he stepped foot on the court with the basketball team, we’ve been #1 in the West. That’s no coincidence.”
It’s not just talk. Holmgren’s numbers back it up. He’s anchoring one of the league’s stingiest defenses, putting up career-best stats, and - maybe most importantly - doing it consistently for a team that’s winning at the highest level.
Much like Shai, Holmgren isn’t campaigning for recognition. He’s letting the work speak. And right now, both players are making a strong case - not just with stats, but with wins, leadership, and impact.
So the next time someone tries to downplay Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game by pointing to the free-throw column, just point them to the scoreboard - and the standings. Because the Thunder star isn’t just scoring.
He’s leading. And he’s doing it in a way that leaves no room for doubt.