If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was a chef, the meat and potatoes of his dish would come at the free throw line.
The NBA’s newest MVP has a smooth jump shot, high basketball IQ, and is a menace on defense.
But his greatest skill is the ability to get to the free throw line. In fact, SGA’s talent for drawing contact has drawn the ire of some basketball fans.
‘Free throw merchant’ has been a moniker fans use on social media to devalue the Thunder guard’s legitimacy as a scorer.
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon asked Gilgeous-Alexander after game four what he thinks of the trope.
“I don’t care. I never cared. I’ve shot more free throws in a season than I did this season,” SGA 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.”
“I don’t care. I never cared. … I kinda see it as a compliment.”
SGA on free throw merchant chants 😅🗣️ pic.twitter.com/F2dwtTxEuv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 27, 2025
Fact check: Gilgeous-Alexander is right.
This season he’s attempted 8.8 free throws per game. He attempted 10.9 per game in 2022-23. It was his first year making All-NBA and the All-Star Game.
The question was triggered because Minnesota fans have weaponized the ‘free throw merchant’ nickname to try and rattle Oklahoma City’s superstar.
It hasn’t been the most effective strategy.
Through four games Gilgeous-Alexander is 40/48 (83%) from the free throw line in the series.
The whole arena chanting “FREE THROW MERCHANT” at SGA 😭pic.twitter.com/WbczU5AKrr
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) May 25, 2025
This all comes after a game where SGA dropped 40 points with 14 coming from the charity stripe.
Now he and the Thunder will return to Oklahoma City, where fans will cheer for every whistle that gives the MVP a chance to score uncontested.
MORE: Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo makes Khris Middleton announcement amid trade rumors
