Every night, there’s that one player who effortlessly destroys defenses, making it appear far too simple. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been that guy this season. The Oklahoma City Thunder player has been sinking shots with surgical accuracy, cooking opponents like a master chef. However, the discussion around SGA has begun to change as the MVP race gets closer. Critics argue that his free-throw-heavy strategy is inflating his numbers and that he is profiting too much from refereeing. Every time a player routinely reaches the line, the complaints begin to pour in.
Enter Lou Williams, a man with a wealth of experience in crafty scoring. The defamation doesn’t sit well with the former Sixth Man of the Year. Sweet Lou is responding with some perspective as some start to wonder if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s game is still viable without the whistle. What was his message? Favorable calls aren’t the only factor contributing to Shai’s success; this man is a bucket-getter. Furthermore, Lou isn’t allowing the skeptics to change the story because the MVP contest is still open.
While in conversation with @RunItBackFDTV, which was shared on X, Lou Williams divulged, “Here’s the other side of that, coach. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 48 points that game. Only 10 of those were free throws. We can’t blame all of this on refereeing.” emphasizing again that SGA’s arsenal is fully equipped with versatility making him an immense threat from all sorts of positions and not just free-throws. He also said that looking for fouls and blaming the referees is not the way to go.
Lou Williams says SGA’s mastery as a scorer is misunderstood:
“Here’s the other side of that, coach. SGA had 48 points that game. Only 10 of those were free throws. We can’t blame all of this on refereeing.”@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/3ETOH4pyQv
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) March 17, 2025
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wasn’t always the dominant force he is today. Coming into the league, few anticipated just how quickly he would ascend into superstardom. Over the past few seasons, he has methodically refined his skill set, transforming from a reliable secondary option to the focal point of an emerging contender in Oklahoma City. However, recent criticisms over his performances saw his MVP contention drop from first to second this week. Here’s hoping he clinches his top spot back.
The MVP race: Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still in the running?
The MVP debate is at an all-time high as the NBA season draws to a close. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander made a compelling argument as the Thunder swept up the Western Conference standings early in the season. He was among the front-runners due to his exceptional efficiency, two-way domination, and game-controlling skills. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s hold on the prize appears to be waning as the competition intensifies. The pressure on OKC’s star increased when Nikola Jokić formally passed Shai in the MVP rankings this week. The competition has never been closer, with Giannis Antetokounmpo still dominating in Milwaukee and Nikola Jokić continuing to put up ridiculous numbers in Denver.
A key element in this change? Storytelling. Voter weariness is a factor, and these discussions are frequently dominated by the league’s top players. Despite his exceptional play, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s reputation has suffered in some quarters due to the belief that he depends too heavily on free throws. Despite the statistics to the contrary, many contend that his game lacks the dynamic quality of some of his MVP competitors. Shai isn’t quite eliminated from the race, though. His name will stay in the running if he finishes well, guides OKC to a top seed, and keeps performing well in crucial situations. However, when the season draws to a close and Luka overtakes him in the rankings, he will need to make a big statement to regain his place among the best.
At the end of the day, the MVP race is far from over. Like Lou, everybody thinks Shai still has time to make a statement, but with Jokić surging and Giannis staying dominant, the pressure is on. If he wants that trophy, he’ll need a monster finish. Either way, one thing’s for sure, Shai Gilgeous Alexander’s game speaks for itself, whistle or not.
The post “Can’t Blame….Refereeing”: As Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP Grip Loosens, Lou Williams Fires Back at Critics appeared first on EssentiallySports.