The Oklahoma City Thunder is now just one win away from reaching their first NBA Finals since the good old days of 2012. This has only been made possible by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s incredible effort and stunning performance throughout the season, especially in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. The MVP finished the night with 40 points, and topped it off with nine rebounds and ten assists, falling just shy of a triple-double. However, that would be the last thing on his mind right now, given that he came in clutch in the final 15 seconds, scoring five of his six free throws to seal a close 128-126 victory over the Timberwolves. While this close win was special, being in front of a jam-packed Minnesota crowd made it much more special for SGA. But why?

If you are unaware a major accusation has trailed the Thunder point guard throughout the season. Yes, we’re talking about the ‘Free Throw merchant’ moniker that has been bestowed upon the league’s MVP. Despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander showcasing his incredible ability to score buckets several times, the fans have jumped on this negative narrative to criticize him for his style of play in the postseason. Recently, this criticism crept into the broadcasting booth. During Game 4, ESPN’s announcer Doris Burke decided to join the Minnesota fans in commenting on SGA’s style of play. So, when the Thunder star was fouled by Rudy Gobert, she couldn’t help but give her take. “This is why he’s called the free-throw merchant,” Burke said. 

Surprising? Yep. While this behavior is accepted from the opposition fans, the announcer should remain neutral while calling games. This upset the OKC fans big time, and rightly so. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a classy response to this major accusation after a dominant 40-point performance. “Like the way I see it is like. The fans, they’re going to do whatever they can do to help their team win and knock me off my game. Being the head of the snake for our team, like, and that’s their job.” SGA said to the reporters. “That’s what created home court advantage. That’s what creates a fan base, that creates the energy in the building. They don’t want Oklahoma City to win. So, I expect nothing less.” The OKC point guard stated that he expected nothing else from the fans. In fact, he thinks that it’s their job to rattle the opposition, which is true indeed. 

However, he has never let this bother him or his game. “In terms of the label, I don’t care. I have never cared.” He stated. Well, SGA has indeed shot more free throws this season than the previous season. However, that doesn’t imply his inability to score from the field. If anything, he’s found a great way of helping his team. What’s more, he doesn’t lead the league in free-throw attempts this season, Giannis Antetokounmpo does. Antetokounmpo averages 10.6 attempts per game while SGA is second with 8.8 attempts. That should be enough to give you some perspective. 

Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also sent out a stern warning to the Minnesota fans after Game 4. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sends a clear message to Minnesota fans after Game 4

You might think that being labeled as the Free Throw Merchant is the only negative narrative doing rounds about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. However, you’d be wrong. The fans seem to have beef with the OKC Thunder superstar. Well, you cannot blame them, given that the Thunder have been a force to reckon with this season. So, the fans do anything that could give even an inch of ground against the first-seeded Thunder. So, they boo SGA and of course, call him a free-throw merchant in case the booing doesn’t work. That’s because they want to put him off his regular game. 

However, does it work? Maybe sometimes. But more often than not, SGA silences them. That’s because they are unaware that he enjoys playing the villain when the Thunder are on the road. “It’s super fun. It’s more fun than, like- I don’t know about more fun, but it’s pretty up there with being at home. The whole building’s against you, chanting whatever they’re chanting, screaming whatever they’re screaming, and it’s your job to go out there and play basketball and kind of shut them up. It’s definitely fun, it definitely adds more to the game. I enjoy it for sure,” Gilgeous-Alexander said after the emphatic win over Minnesota. 

The 26-year-old All-Star guard pointed out that he enjoys it when the whole arena is against him. He likes proving them wrong and silencing them. Of course, we’ve witnessed this several times this season. He did just that in the last moments of Game 4 when he scored five free throw attempts to seal the win for OKC. However, he gave the away fans their flowers, stating that it was what they were supposed to do. He’s had to wait his turn to silence the Wolves fans after the Timberwolves ran riot in Game 3, handing OKC their biggest playoff defeat by beating them 143-101. Moreover, he’ll have another chance to silence them as the Thunder look to make it to their first finals in over a decade.