OKC Thunder superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has his team one win away from yet another trip to the NBA Finals. He's led this hobbled Oklahoma City squad despite enduring massive amounts of criticism for his supposed foul-baiting and underwhelming playstyle.
The controversy has only been heightened in the Western Conference Finals against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.
After five games, it appears the league has chosen its horse.
Following the Thunder's Game 5 win on Tuesday night, Wemby went straight to the team bus without addressing the media, a serious offense in the NBA's eyes.
In the past, players have been fined $25,000 as a consequence. Wemby, however, received a mere slap on the wrist, and pundits didn't disagree.
The Athletic's Sam Amick even complimented the big man, attributing the decision to "how he sees the seriousness of his team's situation."
NBA clearly choosing Wemby as golden boy over Thunder cornerstone
This is hardly the first time Wembanyama has been the recipient of the NBA's good graces.
Last round against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he was ejected for a hard (and seemingly intentional) elbow to the neck of forward Naz Reid.
He received no suspension.
This was in stark contrast to the league's reaction when Ron Artest acted similarly in a playoff series against the Thunder in 2012. He was suspended for seven games, with then-commissioner David Stern labeling it as a "violent act."
All the while, Shai has received nothing but criticism during this postseason.
Just recently, the Get Up crew commented on whether his playstyle is affecting his legacy. They claimed that no one is trying to emulate SGA, and "one of these things is not like the other" when he's compared to NBA greats.
Shai also lit the media world on fire when he responded unfavorably to a question about teammate Isaiah Hartenstein's defense on Wembanyama. He clearly didn't hear the question, and it sounded like he took a shot at the big man.
He cleared it up after the game, but that didn't stop social media from taking the soundbite and running with it.
The two-time MVP has been widely known for his near-perfect media responses, but apparently, it just takes one small slip-up to tarnish that reputation.
SGA has been chosen as poster boy... for flopping
While Victor Wembanyama receives the "golden boy" treatment, SGA has been cast as the face of the NBA for a less desirable reason.
After nearly every game, the point guard has been under heavy scrutiny for his trips to the free-throw line.
Meanwhile, Wembanyama is averaging 2.2 more free throws in the Western Conference Semifinals than he did in the regular season.
Even in the Spurs' previous series, he was seen catapulting himself onto the floor from a light touch in the back by Wolves forward Julius Randle.
While the world lambasts Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they are busy showering Victor Wembanyama with unrequited praise. It is no mystery who non-Oklahomans are rooting for in this series, yet it's the Thunder who are on the brink of a trip to the NBA Finals.
Whether the rest of the league likes it or not, SGA seems to have the upper hand against his newfound nemesis.
Add us as a preferred source on Google