Non-Thunder fans get mad at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for shooting so many free throws. Here's an idea: Stop biting on his pump fake and he won't get to the line so much. You'd assume that would be an easy ask of opponents, considering Shai pulls out the move every single game. But they can't resist. They're obsessed with jumping when Shai pump fakes. And when a defender bites on a fake, they've given up their leverage, leading to a foul more often than not.
You can be mad... But don't get mad at Shai! Get mad at the defenders who keep falling for it!
Shai's pump fake has quickly become a signature NBA move, and it might be the most effective in reaching its goal because the alternative is Shai actually shooting a midrange shot, where he's one of the best in the game (54% from 10 to 16 feet last season).
Basically, once Shai is about 15 feet away from the hoop, defenders are already in trouble. Then, they have to decide whether to risk a foul or risk him missing a jumpshot. Neither is a winning strategy. Hence, why the MVP is the MVP — the best technique for trying to stop him is basically just "hope for the best."
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's pump fake continues to baffle opponents
I've said it before, and I'll likely say it again; the moral panic about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's free throw shooting is just that; an overblown phenomenon that has a basis in reality but quickly devolves into hysteria. It's essentially like when people were yelling about the Harry Potter books leading children into witchcraft. Except Shai's pump fake really might be witchcraft, so that's actually not a great example.
Yes, he shoots a lot of free throws because he gets fouled a lot. Other players don't shoot as many free throws — not because they're morally above the idea of getting to the line often, but because they're physically incapable of doing it! If drawing tons of fouls is such a cop out, then why doesn't every player do it?
Because they can't. Simple. They don't have the requisite bag to shoot a bunch of free throws, and they definitely don't have a pump fake like SGA does. Until either everyone gets really good at drawing fouls or the NBA seriously changes some rules, the pump fakes will continue. And so will the trend of defenders biting on said pump fake.