Describing SGA as a foul merchant seems extremely disingenuous.

[Duke4life831]

I just think he’s the guard version of Embiid. What I mean by that is, there is no denying how elite he is as a player. His level of being an elite player doesn’t rely on the foul bating.

But I think that just makes it more frustrating, just like with Embiid. Embiid doesn’t need to fall to the ground on any kind of impact to be an elite player. Just like SGA doesn’t have to act like he got shot every time he drives and there is just a tiny amount of contact (which he initiates a good amount of time).

Again no questioning he’s an elite player. Outside of a healthy Kawhi, SGA to me has the best mid range game in the game right now. I could watch that all game long.

But ya the foul stuff just gets so tiresome to watch.

[Castle Black]

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

Read on Twitter

[Capn'O]

It's not a narrative, it's a reality that some basketball fans do not enjoy watching SGA and that therefore they may decide to pass on watching OKC games. I think everybody would prefer to enjoy watching the product.

As you know, the number free throw attempts is not necessarily indicative of how a game is officiated - it applies both at the team and player level. With SGA, it's not so much about volume as it is about how he manufactures some of these free throws.

How is it a "reality" when "some" people do not like SGA?

Both cannot be logically coherent. It's only your reality homie.

It is a reality that I do not enjoy watching SGA.

I didn't say he was inherently not enjoyable to watch. I just don't enjoy watching him play, and a number of people feel the same way, for reasons that some of them have explained.

There's nothing incoherent about it.

Nobody should be forced to liking SGA's style of play. We all watch him and form our opinions. If you like watching him play, good for you, I'm not trying to convince you not to.

I say this as somebody who is a huge fan of SGA's contortionist abilities to find space where none should exist, his acrobatic finishes, his delicate touch from midrange, his tireless work to become a three point threat, and his ascension from a mediocre defender to one of the best in the league;

That mfer hunts for fouls and embellishes contact in a way that would make Reggie Miller blush.

[Rendei]

Watching SGA play, I don't have any real issues with anything that he does. But the whistle he gets is ridiculous. If they just didn't award him with minimal contact fouls all the time, which he almost always initiates, it'd be great. But he does get awarded with a boatload of those calls, and it's hard to watch.

[bbms]

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/the-real-problem-with-shai-gilgeous-alexanders-foul-baiting-is-that-it-works/

what's the difference between this article and reddit shitposting? essentially the same category of analysis.

[10DayContract]

11/14 Free throws game 1

If that's not a free-throw merchant I don't know what is. There's no way you can't watch this man and call it real basketball. Falls to the ground every time you touch him

Are Freethrows not part of basketball??? SGA is basically the best in the world at drawing fouls. What’s wrong with that? Are fans just going to complain when anyone gets to the line a lot?

More often than not: They. Can’t. Guard. Him.

If you played basketball, you’d understand that his skill set is sooooo damn valuable. Should he be ashamed at getting to the line by putting guys out of position?

Why is NBA discourse only about being pissed about a guy who’s clearly better than everyone else at manipulating the defense to get fouls? 9 times out of 10, he was fouled. Like wtf?

[bbms]

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck...

Read on Twitter

i thought this was extremely inelegant

[DB23]

100000%

I’m confused at what people are watching. SGA is SUPER slippery and shifty. You can’t bump a guy while he’s driving. I don’t understand what people are seeing but this foul merchant stuff is dishonest.

He is super slippery and shifty, he also launches himself into the defender whenever he feels they are out of position. Maybe it’s smart, but it’s also annoying to watch.

And he gets a favorable whistle, usually that stuff isn’t called in the playoffs.

So yes i think a free throw merchant tag is fair.

Defenders can alternatively give him more space so they don't find themselves having to recover and be out of position to draw those fouls, but I'm sure SGA would be more than happy if you want to give him space instead.

You could say the same about how harden played.

I’m not commentating on the legality, just the ugliness which it certainly is. Foul baiting is just hard to cheer for. And I guess it’s annoying when the refs fall for it. Seems really inconsistent with how the playoffs have been ref’s to date. Just see the dubs/ Houston series for reference.

[FarBeyondDriven]

listen, all of these high usage chuckers that don't play defense are foul merchants. They're goal is to draw fouls first and foremost. It's awful looking basketball and horrible for an already terrible league. Silver is legit one of the worst commissioners in the history of sports

[Lo Wang]

listen, all of these high usage chuckers that don't play defense are foul merchants. They're goal is to draw fouls first and foremost. It's awful looking basketball and horrible for an already terrible league. Silver is legit one of the worst commissioners in the history of sports

This take is incredibly biased showing the depth of the delusional takes we're dealing, which lines perfectly with your handle.

SGA doesn't play defense? Is this your position?

The anti-Shay crowds are getting more delusional by the minute.

[Lo Wang]

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck ..

It's probably not a duck.

Your logic is based on perception, which is a logical deception in and of itself.

[Lo Wang]

How is it a "reality" when "some" people do not like SGA?

Both cannot be logically coherent. It's only your reality homie.

It is a reality that I do not enjoy watching SGA.

I didn't say he was inherently not enjoyable to watch. I just don't enjoy watching him play, and a number of people feel the same way, for reasons that some of them have explained.

There's nothing incoherent about it.

Nobody should be forced to liking SGA's style of play. We all watch him and form our opinions. If you like watching him play, good for you, I'm not trying to convince you not to.

I say this as somebody who is a huge fan of SGA's contortionist abilities to find space where none should exist, his acrobatic finishes, his delicate touch from midrange, his tireless work to become a three point threat, and his ascension from a mediocre defender to one of the best in the league;

that mfer hunts for fouls and embellishes contact in a way that would make Reggie Miller blush.

Only two conclusions can point to your sentiment:

1. You're the fan of the opposing team.

2. You didn't watch the games.

No other conclusions can be drawn.

P.S. You're not a fan.

[Capn'O]

It is a reality that I do not enjoy watching SGA.

I didn't say he was inherently not enjoyable to watch. I just don't enjoy watching him play, and a number of people feel the same way, for reasons that some of them have explained.

There's nothing incoherent about it.

Nobody should be forced to liking SGA's style of play. We all watch him and form our opinions. If you like watching him play, good for you, I'm not trying to convince you not to.

I say this as somebody who is a huge fan of SGA's contortionist abilities to find space where none should exist, his acrobatic finishes, his delicate touch from midrange, his tireless work to become a three point threat, and his ascension from a mediocre defender to one of the best in the league;

that mfer hunts for fouls and embellishes contact in a way that would make Reggie Miller blush.

Only two conclusions can point to your sentiment:

1. You're the fan of the opposing team.

2. You didn't watch the games.

No other conclusions can be drawn.

P.S. You're not a fan.

Well, clearly you, Lo Wang, are a fair and objective arbitrator of such matters and I will not be discussing this further with you.

[Lo Wang]

It's not a narrative, it's a reality that some basketball fans do not enjoy watching SGA and that therefore they may decide to pass on watching OKC games. I think everybody would prefer to enjoy watching the product.

As you know, the number free throw attempts is not necessarily indicative of how a game is officiated - it applies both at the team and player level. With SGA, it's not so much about volume as it is about how he manufactures some of these free throws.

How is it a "reality" when "some" people do not like SGA?

Both cannot be logically coherent. It's only your reality homie.

It is a reality that I do not enjoy watching SGA.

I didn't say he was inherently not enjoyable to watch. I just don't enjoy watching him play, and a number of people feel the same way, for reasons that some of them have explained.

There's nothing incoherent about it.

Nobody should be forced to liking SGA's style of play. We all watch him and form our opinions. If you like watching him play, good for you, I'm not trying to convince you not to.

I agree you don't like him, but why weave a fictitious narrative?

[Lo Wang]

I say this as somebody who is a huge fan of SGA's contortionist abilities to find space where none should exist, his acrobatic finishes, his delicate touch from midrange, his tireless work to become a three point threat, and his ascension from a mediocre defender to one of the best in the league;

that mfer hunts for fouls and embellishes contact in a way that would make Reggie Miller blush.

Only two conclusions can point to your sentiment:

1. You're the fan of the opposing team.

2. You didn't watch the games.

No other conclusions can be drawn.

P.S. You're not a fan.

Well, clearly you, Lo Wang, are a fair and objective arbitrator of such matters and I will not be discussing this further with you.

Why?

I appreciate your insight.

[Jeremy Lin 7]

11/14 Free throws game 1

If that's not a free-throw merchant I don't know what is. There's no way you can't watch this man and call it real basketball. Falls to the ground every time you touch him

Are Freethrows not part of basketball??? SGA is basically the best in the world at drawing fouls. What’s wrong with that? Are fans just going to complain when anyone gets to the line a lot?

More often than not: They. Can’t. Guard. Him.

If you played basketball, you’d understand that his skill set is sooooo damn valuable. Should he be ashamed at getting to the line by putting guys out of position?

Why is NBA discourse only about being pissed about a guy who’s clearly better than everyone else at manipulating the defense to get fouls? 9 times out of 10, he was fouled. Like wtf?

Go to your local LA Fitness and start calling fouls like the "contact" SGA gets.

I dare you. You will get laughed out of the court. No one is questioning his other skills. It's the constant foul baiting and flopping that turns the NBA into Soccer dives. SGA is acting like Neymar out there. Give SGA an Oscar because he's got you fooled.

[Lo Wang]

11/14 Free throws game 1

If that's not a free-throw merchant I don't know what is. There's no way you can't watch this man and call it real basketball. Falls to the ground every time you touch him

Are Freethrows not part of basketball??? SGA is basically the best in the world at drawing fouls. What’s wrong with that? Are fans just going to complain when anyone gets to the line a lot?

More often than not: They. Can’t. Guard. Him.

If you played basketball, you’d understand that his skill set is sooooo damn valuable. Should he be ashamed at getting to the line by putting guys out of position?

Why is NBA discourse only about being pissed about a guy who’s clearly better than everyone else at manipulating the defense to get fouls? 9 times out of 10, he was fouled. Like wtf?

Go to your local LA Fitness and start calling fouls like the "contact" SGA gets.

I dare you. You will get laughed out of the court. No one is questioning his other skills. It's the constant foul baiting and flopping that turns the NBA into Soccer dives. SGA is acting like Neymar out there. Give SGA an Oscar because he's got you fooled.

There's a reason why you're no longer in the league Jeremy Lin.

Warned for baiting. -b

[Jeremy Lin 7]

Are Freethrows not part of basketball??? SGA is basically the best in the world at drawing fouls. What’s wrong with that? Are fans just going to complain when anyone gets to the line a lot?

More often than not: They. Can’t. Guard. Him.

If you played basketball, you’d understand that his skill set is sooooo damn valuable. Should he be ashamed at getting to the line by putting guys out of position?

Why is NBA discourse only about being pissed about a guy who’s clearly better than everyone else at manipulating the defense to get fouls? 9 times out of 10, he was fouled. Like wtf?

Go to your local LA Fitness and start calling fouls like the "contact" SGA gets.

I dare you. You will get laughed out of the court. No one is questioning his other skills. It's the constant foul baiting and flopping that turns the NBA into Soccer dives. SGA is acting like Neymar out there. Give SGA an Oscar because he's got you fooled.

There's a reason why you're no longer in the league Jeremy Lin.

Lol deflecting from the actual point. Just admit Shai is a flopper and FT Merchant

[Chanel Bomber]

How is it a "reality" when "some" people do not like SGA?

Both cannot be logically coherent. It's only your reality homie.

It is a reality that I do not enjoy watching SGA.

I didn't say he was inherently not enjoyable to watch. I just don't enjoy watching him play, and a number of people feel the same way, for reasons that some of them have explained.

There's nothing incoherent about it.

Nobody should be forced to liking SGA's style of play. We all watch him and form our opinions. If you like watching him play, good for you, I'm not trying to convince you not to.

I agree you don't like him, but why weave a fictitious narrative?

It's not that I don't like him, by all accounts he seems like a decent person. I just don't enjoy watching him play, and him having a favorable whistle is part of it. Hunting for fouls by seeking contact has always been part of the game. But SGA has a tendency to fall onto the ground without contact (essentially dive), or lock other players arms and then flail as if he were shoved, that I simply find unenjoyable to watch. These plays shouldn't be rewarded because they violate the spirit of the game. And very few players in NBA history have been nearly as enabled to break the rules - formal or informal.

Maybe you're seeing these things differently and you think there's no intent behind these occurances - that is your prerogative. But there's no need for you to go on seemingly a moral crusade to tell people they're wrong for seeing what they see and feeling the way they feel about it.

[Lo Wang]

Go to your local LA Fitness and start calling fouls like the "contact" SGA gets.

I dare you. You will get laughed out of the court. No one is questioning his other skills. It's the constant foul baiting and flopping that turns the NBA into Soccer dives. SGA is acting like Neymar out there. Give SGA an Oscar because he's got you fooled.

There's a reason why you're no longer in the league Jeremy Lin.

Lol deflecting from the actual point. Just admit Shai is a flopper and FT Merchant

I will only if you're willing to admit you were nothing more than a fluke and never belong in the NBA.