Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Faces Criticism
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, is under fire for his alleged flopping. On Tuesday, Lakers' first-round pick Cameron Carr took a blunt shot at the Thunder star's reputation for drawing fouls.
Carr, the No. 24 pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, was asked about who he would prefer to guard between Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He chose Edwards, citing the Thunder star's flopping.
The Lakers were bounced out of the Western Conference semifinals by the Oklahoma City Thunder in four games. Luka Dončić's absence was a significant factor, but the team's supporters were frustrated with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's alleged favorable calls from the referees.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has developed a reputation as a flopper over the past few seasons. Opposing fans often mock his foul-baiting style with "free-throw merchant" chants.
According to NBA analyst Tom Haberstroh, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander "fell on 20 of his 187 field-goal attempts, a rate of 10.7%." He also has the most falls on whistled shots, going down on 19 of 37 attempts that ended with a foul.
Carr's comments might come back to haunt him once the season starts. With defensive ace Marcus Smart's return uncertain, the Lakers could throw Carr into deep waters and test him against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The OKC franchise cornerstone is known for his deliberate foul-hunting, which became a hot topic in the playoffs. An X account called the "House of Lowlights" featured a short video of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hitting the floor after contact, garnering 22.9 million views.
Carr's defensive upside is impressive, with 45 blocks in the Big 12. His scouting report highlights his potential to become a versatile defender, able to match up with both guards and wings.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's reputation will likely be a topic of discussion throughout the season. The Lakers' rookie has already made his thoughts clear, and it will be interesting to see how he fares against the Thunder star.
The NBA community is excited to hear Carr's thoughts on guarding some of the league's best players. His comments on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's flopping have already made headlines, and it will be interesting to see how the situation develops.