It's no secret that getting to the free-throw line is a huge part of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's game. Free throws are one of the biggest reasons he leads the league in scoring. It's also no secret that a large swath of NBA Twitter hates him for that the same way they hated names like James Harden and Joel Embiid for it.

Despite claiming the 2023 MVP award, Joel Embiid is one of the most criticized players in the NBA, due to his increasing habit of “foul-baiting.” As fans continue to rip him for his habits, Embiid has openly admitted to manipulating the whistle, according to Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain.

The Oklahoma City Thunder made a big statement in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves by 26 points in a game that was never close. As usual, that led detractors to point out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s constant trips to the line.