Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Isn’t Protected – Quite the Opposite: Van Gundy’s Analysis
Stan Van Gundy flips the narrative around Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: according to the former NBA coach, the Thunder star doesn’t get all the foul calls he deserves
The debate around the fouls drawn by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a constant topic across the NBA. Some accuse him of “hunting contact,” while others praise his offensive IQ. What came as a surprise, however, was Stan Van Gundy’s take during the matchup between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the former NBA head coach completely turned the narrative on its head.
According to Van Gundy, the Thunder star is not actually getting all the whistles he should, despite being widely considered one of the league’s best players at absorbing contact.
I’m not sure he’s getting all the fouls he should.
Stan Van Gundy
A skill that is often misunderstood
Over the past few seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander has established himself as one of the most complete offensive players in the NBA. His ability to get to the rim, change pace, and use his body to create separation has resulted in him averaging more than eight free-throw attempts per game for four consecutive seasons.
Those numbers have fueled criticism and suspicion, but according to Van Gundy they only tell part of the story. In his view, Shai doesn’t “look” for fouls – he generates them because he’s constantly in control of the action, forcing defenders into difficult decisions.
The game against the T’Wolves tells a different story
And yet, in the 123-111 loss to the Timberwolves, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander attempted just five free throws, making all of them. A figure that feels out of sync when weighed against the amount of contact he absorbed and the aggression he displayed.
The former Clipper finished with 30 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal, shooting 12-of-18 from the field. A strong performance, but not enough to prevent the loss after a rough first quarter that ended with Oklahoma City trailing 34-22.
Thunder still in control, but…
Despite the defeat, the Thunder remain firmly atop the Western Conference with a 38-11 record. Their cushion over the Spurs and Nuggets is still comfortable, though the upcoming matchup against Denver will be a meaningful test, especially on the road.
The feeling is that the discussion around fouls and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t going away anytime soon. And Van Gundy’s comments may reopen a broader question: is it really the defender who’s being penalized – or is the offensive player not being protected enough?