Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has heard the noise before. The “free-throw merchant” label has followed him like a shadow-every big scoring night met with the same tired refrain: too many whistles, not enough real buckets. But here’s the thing-this season, the numbers don’t just push back on that narrative, they dismantle it.
Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 23.8 points per game without free throws. Let that sink in.
Strip away every trip to the line, and he’s still one of the top five scorers in the entire NBA. That puts him right next to elite company-guys who rarely catch the same kind of flak for how they get their points.
So when you hear talk that SGA is padding his stats at the stripe, know this: even with zero free throws, he’s still torching defenses.
And it’s not just about the numbers-it’s how he gets them. Gilgeous-Alexander is scoring from all over the floor.
The midrange game is smooth and surgical. He’ll pull up in your face, glide into the lane with that herky-jerky rhythm, and finish through contact like it’s routine.
The free throws are a byproduct of pressure, not the foundation of his offense. He bends defenses until they break-and when they do, the whistle follows.
Earlier this season, when asked about the "free-throw merchant" chatter, SGA didn’t flinch.
“I don’t care… never cared,” he said. “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 the confidence of a player who knows exactly who he is. And he’s got the receipts to back it up.
In fact, he’s taking fewer free throws per game than he did during his first All-NBA campaign-back when the label barely existed. The difference now?
He’s on the MVP radar, and the Thunder are sitting at the top of the Western Conference.
And while the MVP spotlight shines brighter with each passing week, Gilgeous-Alexander is using that platform to lift his teammates, too. After a recent win, he didn’t hesitate to make the case for Chet Holmgren’s All-Star bid.
“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.”
He’s not wrong. Holmgren is putting together a stellar rookie campaign-anchoring one of the league’s stingiest defenses, knocking down shots, and showing up every night.
He’s been consistent, available, and impactful for the team with the NBA’s best record. And much like the noise around SGA’s game, Holmgren isn’t concerned with outside narratives.
The production speaks for itself.
So while the critics keep talking, Gilgeous-Alexander keeps hooping. Whether it’s at the line, in the lane, or from midrange, he’s proving-night after night-that his game is built on far more than just free throws.
It’s built on skill, poise, and the kind of efficiency that wins games and earns respect. And right now, it’s hard to argue he’s not one of the most complete players in basketball.