Alex Caruso Sounds off on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Alex Caruso you could have heard the noise round Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s bodily protection and the free-throw debate that has adopted the defending champions all through the playoffs.

He isn’t shopping for the concept that the dialog ought to overshadow what Gilgeous-Alexander is doing.

Caruso defended his Thunder teammate in an ESPN story by Tim MacMahon and Anthony Slaterpushing again on criticism of Gilgeous-Alexander’s whistle and Oklahoma City’s defensive model because the Thunder put together for Game 4 in opposition to the Los Angeles Lakers. Oklahoma City leads the sequence 3-0 and may full the sweep on Monday night time in Los Angeles.

Caruso stated the complaints about Oklahoma City’s physicality are “humorous” and framed the bigger query this manner: Should the league reward “good, tough defense,” or maintain transferring away from it?

That is the context surrounding Monday’s elimination recreation. The Lakers have spent components of the sequence annoyed with the whistle. The Thunder have spent the sequence punishing them within the second half, profitable Game 3 by 23 factors after outscoring Los Angeles 74-49 after halftime. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander completed that recreation with 23 factors and 9 assists, whereas LeBron James had 19 factors, 8 assists and 6 rebounds.

Alex Caruso’s SGA Defense Adds Fuel Before Thunder-Lakers Game 4

Caruso’s feedback land on the middle of the Thunder-Lakers sequence as a result of the officiating dialogue has develop into a part of the matchup.

After Game 2, Lakers coach JJ Redick criticized how LeBron James was being officiated and pointed to James having simply 5 free-throw makes an attempt by way of the primary two video games of the sequence.

That is the place the distinction turns into particularly attention-grabbing. Gilgeous-Alexander has develop into one of many NBA’s most scrutinized foul-drawing stars, however Caruso argued the criticism misses the larger image.

Caruso instructed ESPN that Gilgeous-Alexander’s whistle “could be better,” a notable protection from a teammate identified extra for hard-nosed protection than public exaggeration. He additionally praised SGA as “such a good human” and “such a good player,” whereas crediting him for with the ability to “block it out.”

That issues for Oklahoma City as a result of the Thunder haven’t simply survived the noise. They have performed by way of it whereas transferring one win from the Western Conference finals.

The Lakers’ frustration can be not taking place in a vacuum. Oklahoma City’s protection has bothered Los Angeles’ ball-handlers, pressured turnovers and turned video games with depth. In Game 3, the Lakers dedicated 17 turnovers that turned 30 Thunder factors, in accordance with Reuters.

For the Thunder, that’s the actual level. If the dialog turns into solely about SGA’s whistle, it ignores what number of methods Oklahoma City has overwhelmed Los Angeles.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Stats Stack Up With LeBron James’ Playoff Run

The free-throw criticism round Gilgeous-Alexander additionally turns into extra difficult when his numbers are positioned in context.

ESPN famous that amongst guards who’ve averaged no less than 30 factors in a qualifying scoring-title season, Gilgeous-Alexander’s 9.0 free-throw makes an attempt per recreation this season ranked thirty second. His 8.8 makes an attempt in 2024-25 ranked thirty third, and his 8.7 makes an attempt in 2023-24 tied for thirty fourth.

In different phrases, SGA will get to the road loads, however not at some unprecedented historic stage for elite scoring guards.

He has additionally backed it up with manufacturing past free throws. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 28.3 factors, 7.0 assists and three.3 rebounds by way of seven playoff video games whereas capturing 51.6% from the sector. He can be trying 9.7 free throws per recreation within the postseason.

LeBron, in the meantime, has been sturdy however much less explosive statistically in these playoffs. James is averaging 23.1 factors, 7.8 assists and 6.1 rebounds by way of 9 postseason video games, whereas capturing 46.1% from the sector and trying 6.1 free throws per recreation.

That comparability isn’t meant to decrease James. At 41, he stays the Lakers’ most necessary wholesome participant with Luka Doncic sidelined. But it does present why the Thunder have had the higher hand within the star-player argument.

SGA has been the cleaner engine. LeBron has needed to carry a Lakers group that has struggled to maintain his offense, particularly after halftime.

The Game 4 stakes are clear: James wants a classic elimination-game response to increase the sequence, whereas Gilgeous-Alexander can transfer Oklahoma City one step nearer to a different championship push.

And if the dialog once more turns towards whistles, Caruso has already made the Thunder’s place clear. Oklahoma City sees the criticism as noise, and SGA’s means to disregard it has develop into a part of the group’s id.

Eric Anderson is an award-winning sports activities journalist masking the NBA, MLB and NFL for Heavy.com. He additionally focuses on the buying and selling card market. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized retailers together with The New York Times, Associated Press, USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson