Amid the ongoing West Finals, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring tactics have become a hot topic of debate. While many consider him the best scorer in the league, others deem him a foul baiter and a free-throw merchant. And it looks like ESPN broadcaster Doris Burke is siding with the latter. During last week’s Game 1, she brought up the infamous tag on Live TV, “There’s a reason NBA Twitter likes to call him the free throw merchant.”

Then, she did it again during tonight’s Game 4. After Shai drew a shooting foul on Rudy Gobert, Doris said, “You see Rudy try to contend with him. But his left arm is reaching in there and as soon as Shai feels that and there is contact on the elbow. This is why he is called the free throw merchant.” However, this time, her colleague Richard Jefferson stepped in to defend the reigning MVP.

“Well, every guy in the league is allowed to gather when they feel the defender’s arm, and by the way even I averaged 8 FTs a couple different times.” Jefferson remarked, highlighting that Shai’s scoring tactics are well within the rules and every player in the league has the freedom to adopt them. Moreover, it’s nothing new. During the 2007-08 season, Richard averaged 8.3 free throw attempts per game. As expected, he had his best scoring season that year, averaging 22.6 points.

A few seasons prior, he attempted 8.2 free throws per game. Lo and behold, it resulted in his second highest scoring season, at 22.2 points. And Jefferson was not even the best scorer in the league at the time. So, why is it frowned upon when Shai uses the same strategy to accumulate his points?

Further strengthening his point, RJ said, “Every player in the league can do this. Now he drives more, he does it more… For me, the free throw merchant stuff, the numbers prove that it’s not true. It’s just a frustrating thing.” Amid the debate, SGA is surprisingly unbothered by the constant criticism.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander unfazed by ‘free throw merchant’ tag as playoffs success proves his point

While debates swirl around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s scoring approach, the newly crowned MVP remains unfazed by the outside chatter. Earlier this season, he addressed the conversation head-on, explaining how his ability to draw fouls has become a key part of his game:

“I think naturally, I am going to get fouled on drives. Usually, you get fouled on drives more than jump shots, so that’s just like a natural part of the game. And then I’ve learned a few tricks of the trade along my way. And I’ve turned it into a skill a little bit.”

Indeed, few players in the league attack the rim as relentlessly as SGA. That constant pressure on the paint creates natural opportunities for contact—and, in turn, for whistle-friendly moments. It’s not about exploiting the game; it’s about understanding it. And like any elite scorer, Shai has simply learned how to turn that understanding into a weapon.

He also had a pointed response for his critics: “As far as what people say, I don’t really care. As long as it’s efficient offense and my team wins, I’ll get it done.”

And that’s exactly what he did. In response to the criticism, most notably from Doris Burke, SGA delivered a masterclass, dropping a playoff career-high 40 points with a near triple-double with 10 assists and nine rebounds in Game 4. More importantly, he led Oklahoma City to a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference Finals.

So if getting to the line and converting is part of what helps his team win, SGA has no intention of changing his approach. That’s not gaming the system—that’s playing it to perfection. Do you agree?