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Thunder’s Jalen Williams calls out ignorant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander haters
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- Thunder’s Jalen Williams calls out ignorant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander haters
Thunder's Jalen Williams calls out ignorant Shai Gilgeous-Alexander haters appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
There is no doubt that the Oklahoma City Thunder are the best team in the NBA. The defending champions have yet to lose in the 2026 NBA playoffs, but their successes have led to a lot of hate. The team has been villainized, and soon-to-be back-to-back MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander , in particular, has been heavily criticized by the basketball fandom.
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The Thunder guard puts up huge numbers, but some fans have grown to dislike his playstyle and the way he goes about securing huge statistics. Gilgeous-Alexander is incredible when it comes to drawing fouls, but many think he goes out of his way to foul bait. His on-court production has been ruled "unethical" by many, but Jalen Williams doesn't think this is fair.
"People don't actually know what they're watching with Shai," Williams said to ESPN. "They just see numbers and don't understand the experience. I wish everyone could sit courtside once in their life just to watch what he does."
Williams, Gilgeous-Alexander's All-Star teammate, sees the brilliance of his MVP running mate on a day-to-day basis. Gilgeous-Alexander does everything. He can rebound, score from all three levels, defend, and facilitate for his teammates. His versatility and sustained dominance have played a part in why he is so hated, but fans shouldn't overlook how masterful he is on the hardwood just because the Thunder are the "easy" team to route against right now. The hate doesn't bother the Kentucky product , though.
"My favorite part is watching him handle it," head coach Mark Daigneault said about his star player. He's unflappable. It doesn't bother him. He puts it in its proper place by framing it as something that comes with the territory of being great."
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These playoffs have arguably cemented Gilgeous-Alexander's case as the best player in the NBA , even over Nikola Jokic . While Williams has been there to support his team from the sideline, Oklahoma City would love to have him back for the Western Conference Finals. Williams missed all of round two with a hamstring strain.
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