Candace Parker has never shied away from bold takes, but this time, the heat is on her. In the span of one broadcast, she went from analyst steering the conversation to becoming an internet target, with fans calling out her latest claims as out of touch. One moment saw her drop a poorly timed brand plug, the other was a shaky take on a rising NBA star. And the backlash just isn’t slowing down.

The conversation began with a serious topic: Damian Lillard’s diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right calf. The Milwaukee Bucks guard, a seven-time All-NBA selection, faces a life-threatening condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, often in the legs, and can lead to a pulmonary embolism if the clot travels to the lungs- something that requires immediate attention. Lillard, now on blood-thinning medication, requires constant monitoring, sidelining him indefinitely. TNT analysts addressed the gravity of this news with the weight it deserved. But then came Parker’s pivot.

Mid-discussion, she veered into a plug for Adidas, a brand she’s endorsed since her playing days. Of course, as expected, many sounded off. It wasn’t just an awkward slip—it was a glaring misstep that felt insensitive. Highlighting the same, an X user named Jetstape remarked, “Candace Parker plugging @adidas during a serious moment about Dame’s blood clot is weird. Get better Dame. That’s what matters, not Candace’s shoe deal”. Did she misjudge the mood, or was it a contractual obligation gone wrong? Either way, the public didn’t buy it.

But that wasn’t all. In another discussion, Parker’s comments on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) ignited another wave of criticism. “A lot of kids now say they model their game after PG-13, but I think a lot of kids in a couple years are going to say they’re going to model their game after SGA because, Shaq, you said it at the break, like there’s nobody really that plays like him and that he plays like. He plays off of two feet, he does it with ease. People knock him by calling him, you know, foul baiting or whatever it is.”

Her praise of SGA’s “smooth” play didn’t sit well with fans who view him as a “foul merchant.” The numbers tell part of the story—SGA has attempted 606 free throws this season, second only to Giannis Antetokounmpo. For context, James Harden, another player notorious for drawing fouls, sits at 507 attempts. The backlash has been brewing for some time, especially after a controversial moment against the Clippers when SGA avoided a foul call after grabbing Ivica Zubac’s wrist in a crucial moment.

Even Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch chimed in on the frustrations around OKC’s defensive tactics: “It’s so frustrating to play this team because they foul a ton. They really do. They foul, they foul all the time,” Finch said in February 2025. “And then you can’t really touch Shai. It’s a very frustrating thing, and it takes a lot of mental toughness to play through it.”

Parker continued: “So I just think, you know, to be on a team and not be hated as the leader, to really bring out the best in your guys, be the coolest dude in the room when you walk in, but also be the smoothest on the court, to me, I think that says a lot about SGA.”

Well, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander might have the swagger, but not everyone is buying it.

Candace Parker under fire for her take on SGA: Fans push back on her hot takes

Social media was quick to push back. One user wrote, “Another day, another horrible take by Candace Parker smh.” Maybe this user was talking about Parker’s last year take on Jalen Brunson when she agreed with Las Vegas Aces head coach Becky Hammon on Brunson being too small to be the top option for the Knicks.

Another fan piled on, tweeting, “@NBAonTNT @CandaceParker please stop capping. No one is modeling their game after SGA. He is foul-baiting. Idk why y’all have such a hard time being honest.”

It’s true that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander benefits from a favorable whistle, but context matters. His relentless rim pressure is a major factor—according to NBA tracking data, SGA leads the league with 33.0 drives per game, far ahead of even Giannis Antetokounmpo. The next closest? His own teammate, Josh Giddey, at 22.0 drives per game. When you’re attacking the paint at that volume, drawing fouls isn’t just strategy—it’s inevitable.

“Shooting 20 FTs a game is smooth now?” a fan sarcastically remarked.

But the numbers tell a different story. Despite the criticism, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t even the most frequent visitor to the free-throw line. In fact, 10 players average more free-throw attempts per game than him this season. Leading the pack? Karl-Anthony Towns, who tops the list with 12.0 attempts per game. And in a twist of irony, Josh Giddey—SGA’s own teammate and one of the league’s top drivers—ranks second.

Another fan outright dismissed Parker’s claim, countering, “Nah, it’s Tatum. Flagg and Castle already have said they have.” The response quickly gained traction as more fans pointed to rising stars who have publicly credited Jayson Tatum as their inspiration.

Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, has openly stated his admiration for Tatum’s game. In an interview with On3.com, Flagg confirmed, “I always say I like to model my game after Jayson Tatum. And Grayson Allen too, with how hard he plays, and the grit he plays with.” For a player widely regarded as a generational talent, Flagg’s words hold weight, reinforcing Tatum’s influence on the next wave of NBA stars.

Spurs rookie Stephon Castle echoed a similar sentiment when asked about his basketball role models. “Jayson Tatum,” Castle said without hesitation, according to USAB.com. “I’m like the point guard version of Jayson Tatum. That’s what I’ve always said.”

One fan predicted doom for the NBA’s entertainment value, saying, “What’s the worst that can happen… declining ratings from more free throws every game!”

While the league saw double-digit percentage declines early in the 2024–25 season, it has since rebounded slightly. According to Nielsen, the NBA is averaging 1.76 million viewers across ESPN and TNT entering the second half of the season—a 5% year-over-year decline. And for some fans, the culprit is clear: too many free throws, easy calls, and a lack of defense.

As for Candace Parker, a once-unquestioned voice in basketball analysis, she now faces an unfamiliar challenge: fans pushing back hard against her takes. Whether she doubles down or pivots, the backlash isn’t fading—it’s only getting louder.