Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may not be waiting around to see how the NBA’s push-off crackdown plays out.
The league recently said officiating crews will put more emphasis on calling “Off-Arm Push Offs,” a change that could put the Thunder star under a brighter microscope. But Gilgeous-Alexander has already made clear he spends every offseason looking for ways to sharpen his game and become “a more well-rounded basketball player.”
That mindset matters here. If the league is going to watch the off-arm more closely, SGA appears to be adding tools that could help him stay ahead of the whistle.
He has long used push-offs to his advantage, especially when he drives into the lane, stops suddenly and creates just enough room for a clean look. That move has been part of his game for a while. But he’s also not the only player in the league who leans on that kind of contact.
What stands out is the way he’s been working this summer. Gilgeous-Alexander has been adding quickness, both off the dribble and in his shooting motion, while also tightening the release on his jumper. That extra burst should make it easier for him to get past defenders without needing as much separation from an off-arm extension.
It also fits with his offseason push to become more of an off-ball offensive player. If he’s attacking in more ways without the ball, that naturally gives him fewer chances to end up in the kind of situations where an off-arm push-off becomes an issue.
In other words, the Thunder star may already be adjusting in ways that help him navigate the league’s new focus before it ever becomes a real problem.
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