Los Angeles Lakers fans are not very happy with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and made their feelings quite clear on social media. As most of the basketball community should be aware, Shai is a young star currently playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Alongside Chet Holmgren and the rest of his squad, SGA has carried the Thunder to hold one of the best records in the Western Conference.
Although the OKC Thunder have been playing at an elite level to start off the 2023-2024 NBA season, the team ended up losing to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers during their most recent matchup.
As clips from the game soon went viral on social media platforms such as X, SGA’s style of play came under a fair share of scrutiny and criticism.
Lakers fans accuse Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of foul-baiting
Over the past few seasons, one could make an argument that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has taken incredible steps to develop his game and is now a certified star in the league. This season, SGA has been averaging an impressive 30.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists. That makes him the best scorer on the OKC Thunder without question.
Dirty foul merchant player
— 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸’𝗲𝗺 (@dbookownsyou) December 24, 2023
Those who take a close look at the video will be able to tell that SGA drove in and dangerously extended his knee while pulling up for a jumper. If the defense had attempted to contest the shot, there is no denying that a serious injury could have occurred.
peep at the leg man, disgusting af pic.twitter.com/aP9vmJFbpj
— ADHD (@ADHDGoat) December 24, 2023
Since no one got injured because of this reckless play, Shai will not be made to answer for his questionable actions during the matchup against the Lakers. Moreover, SGA could certainly claim that he naturally lifted his knee while entering the shooting motion.
In any case, it is important for fans and players alike to keep in mind that foul-baiting antics could go very wrong. After all, Draymond Green tried to claim the same when striking at Jusuf Nurkic and then earning an indefinite suspension. Hopefully, this kind of behavior will come to an end.