Former Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone shared his thoughts on the challenges of defending Oklahoma City Thunder guard and newly crowned NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander during an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. Malone emphasized that Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to draw fouls complicates matters for defenders, as they must exercise extreme discipline to avoid foul calls.
“You’re dealing with a professional foul artist,” Malone remarked, noting that offensive players like SGA often initiate contact to get the whistle in their favor.
Gilgeous-Alexander, fresh off his MVP recognition, demonstrated his scoring prowess in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where he led the Thunder to a 118-103 victory with a game-high 38 points. His performance included an impressive 12-of-21 shooting from the field and a remarkable 13-of-15 from the free-throw line.
During the regular season, SGA excelled at getting to the charity stripe, averaging 8.8 free-throw attempts per game, which ranked him second in the league, just behind Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Gilgeous-Alexander also led the league with 7.9 successful free throws per game, boasting an impressive shooting percentage of 89.8%.
Discussions have emerged regarding the fairness of foul calls in Gilgeous-Alexander’s favor, with Malone describing some of these calls as “favorable.” His comments add to the ongoing debate about the balance between skilled offensive players and the officiating in the NBA.
Malone, who led the Nuggets for a decade and won a championship during his tenure, acknowledged that while he appreciated Gilgeous-Alexander’s talent and performance, he would have chosen Nikola Jokić, his former player who finished second in the MVP voting, if given a vote.
With the Thunder just two wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012, Gilgeous-Alexander continues to shine in the playoffs, solidifying his status as a top player in the league. His growth and contributions to the Thunder are generating excitement among fans and observers alike, highlighting a promising future for the franchise.