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Reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is, as the award indicates, one of the best basketball players on the planet. However, Gilgeous-Alexander has also drawn a negative reputation as a player who manipulates and exploits the league’s rules to draw fouls.
It’s a valid criticism. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 9.2 free throw attempts per game rank second in the league, tied with Trail Blazers breakout star Deni Avdija and behind only Lakers’ superstar Luka Doncic.
In Wednesday night’s 103-100 victory over the New York Knicks, Gilgeous-Alexander’s foul-baiting tendencies again came under the microscope, especially after he seemingly got away with a charge in the second quarter that would have been his third foul of the game.
Knicks Coach Mike Brown Calls Out Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
After his team’s loss, New York coach Mike Brown made it clear that he didn’t appreciate the way that the league officiates the Oklahoma City Superstar.
“SGA, he’s a tough cover, and he does a great job of convincing the referees — probably better than anybody in the league — that he’s getting hit,” Brown said.
Mike Brown CALLED OUT SGA after the loss 😳
“He does a great job of convincing the referees better than anybody in the league that he’s getting hit.” pic.twitter.com/2C8qgz2Z6k
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) March 5, 2026
Nothing Brown said is incorrect. Gilgeous-Alexander absolutely manipulates and the game and referees to draw foul calls. But there’s one major flaw in Brown’s point.
New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson does the exact same thing. While he’s further down the list this season, Brunson had the fifth-most free throw attempts per game of any player in the NBA last season. He draws many of his fouls in a similar fashion to Gilgeous-Alexander, by positioning himself in front of or near a defender and jumping into them.
If Brown wants Gilgeous-Alexander officiated differently, he should expect the same for Brunson. And odds are, he doesn’t want that to be the case.