Shai Gilgeous-Alexander may be a back-to-back MVP, but one criticism continues to follow him through the playoffs.
The Oklahoma City Thunder guard is regularly accused by fans of exaggerating contact to earn fouls and free throws, fuelling the growing “flopping Shai” narrative.
Dillon Brooks recently added to that debate with a viral joke, playing a game called “Unethical Hoops” in which people are challenged to take the ball from Shai without touching him.
And now, a former No. 2 draft pick has weighed in on the matter.
Jay Williams highlights Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stat that sparks debate
ESPN analyst and former NBA player Jay Williams added more fuel to that discussion with a striking comparison involving Victor Wembanyama.
Writing on X, Williams stated: “SGA has fallen on shot attempts 15 times in the last two games. That’s more than Wemby has fallen the entire postseason.”
He added: “The shot chart needs a floor map now.”
The comparison was pointed because Wembanyama is one of the league’s most physical defensive presences, yet Williams claims he has hit the floor less often than the Canadian guard.
For critics, the number reinforced the belief that Gilgeous-Alexander is hunting whistles as much as scoring chances.
For supporters, it can also be read differently. SGA attacks the paint relentlessly, absorbs contact and forces defenders into awkward positions.
That is why the debate is unlikely to disappear. Gilgeous-Alexander’s production is elite, but every fall now becomes part of a wider argument around how he gets his points.
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