Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 'Free Throw Merchant' nickname, explained: How Thunder star earned controversial moniker | rssama.com

Shai Gilgeous Alexander's career-best 2024-25 play ended pinch his first MVP grant and a travel to nan NBA Finals. Of course, nan Thunder constituent guard's emergence to stardom intends much criticism, which is portion of nan normal rhythm of superstardom.

For Gilgeous-Alexander, that intends fans and analysts getting disappointment by really often he gets to nan free propulsion line, and they've moreover fixed him a nickname to correspond that. Many group now telephone nan constituent defender a "free propulsion merchant," nan latest NBA subordinate to get deed pinch that criticism.

Here's a breakdown of why Gilgeous-Alexander received that nickname.

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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 'Free Throw Merchant' nickname, explained

Gilgeous-Alexander's occurrence hasn't travel without criticisms, chiefly his penchant for drafting fouls. The Thunder constituent defender has nan expertise to waste — and sometimes create — interaction successful a measurement that leads to officials calling shooting fouls connected nan defense, which has led to fans labeling him arsenic a "free propulsion merchant."

In nan regular season, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 8.8 free propulsion attempts per game, which was 2nd only to Giannis Antetokounmpo. No different subordinate too those 2 averaged much than 8.0 attempts per game. However, while Antetokounmpo made conscionable 6.5 of those attempts per game, Gilgeous-Alexander led nan convention pinch 7.9 made free throws per game.

Standing astatine 6-6 pinch a slender frame, Gilgeous-Alexander has mastered nan expertise to power his assemblage successful a measurement that forces defenders to illegally interaction him. However, that isn't needfully nan astir appealing measurement to watch basketball, truthful fans came up pinch nan nickname.

The nickname reached nan mainstream erstwhile Timberwolves fans chanted nan moniker astatine Gilgeous-Alexander during Games 3 and 4 of nan Western Conference Finals.

Target Center free propulsion merchant chant #2 pic.twitter.com/F7Qc1H1p3M

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Even Doris Burke referenced it during that series.

Doris Burke called SGA a free propulsion merchant AGAIN 😭 pic.twitter.com/Fa7ebCId6y

Even WNBA players sewage successful connected nan fun, arsenic Liberty defender Sabrina Ionescu jabbed astatine Gilgeous-Alexander earlier this year.

However, immoderate players respect Gilgeous-Alexander's ability. Paul George, who was erstwhile traded for nan constituent guard, explained really SGA is capable to get truthful galore calls.

"It's much to it pinch Shai than foul baiting," George said. "He understands really to play beingness and get guys retired of position."

MORE: Complete timeline of Sam Presti's trades starring Thunder to NBA Finals

Despite each nan hype astir nan nickname, Gilgeous-Alexander has maintained his stance that it doesn't fuss him. Additionally, he respects that fans person been trying to get into his caput complete it.

"The fans, they're going to do immoderate they tin to thief their squad triumph and sound maine disconnected my game," "In position of nan label, I don't care, I ne'er cared...I benignant of spot it arsenic a compliment.

Gilgeous-Alexander isn't nan first subordinate to hunt for fouls successful NBA history, but he is presently nan champion of nan bunch, truthful he gets nan criticism.  

MORE: How Paul George blockbuster trades led to nan 2025 NBA Finals

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander free propulsion stats

Gilgeous-Alexander's expertise to tie fouls improved successful his first fewer years successful nan league, arsenic he reached double-digit free propulsion attempts per crippled successful 2022-23. In nan past 2 seasons, he has led nan convention successful free throws made per crippled pinch 7.6 and 7.9, respectively.