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The Oklahoma City Thunder achieved a 64-18 record this past season, and are now in the hunt for their second-straight NBA Championship behind two-time NBA MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
However, criticisms continue to arise about the way OKC plays the game, particularly regarding their ability to draw whistles from officials and rack up free throws.
Many fans, critics, and sports analysts have highlighted this aspect about SGA and his teammates winning games, including ESPN’s Jay Williams.
The former Duke star and NBA player ranted that he feels the Thunder are disrespecting the game of basketball because of their constant “foul-baiting” approach.
More news:Dillon Brooks Takes Shot at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander With ‘Unethical Hoops’
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter in Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
“As a fan of the game, I just want to see the game respected. There are times where I watch OKC play, I don’t feel like they respect the process of the game. It’s too much foul baiting. When you fall down 95% of every shot you take in the 4th, I get physiologically exhausted,” Williams said while sounding off on ESPN’s “Get Up.”
“I can’t root for that,” he said regarding OKC’s style of play, after indicating he can root for guys like Victor Wembanyama, who plays through the physicality without constant whistles for foul calls.
It’s been a common complaint amongst OKC’s opponents, and it seems Williams hit the nail on the head, as many other players and fans are frustrated with what they’re seeing. The biggest issue is that other players will get fines for bringing it up, while Williams can criticize it freely on ESPN.
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals featured Wemby going off with a monstrous performance against OKC. The Spurs’ big man racked up 41 points and 24 rebounds after watching SGA receive his second NBA MVP Award before the game tipped off.
That translated to a double-overtime win for the Spurs. Game 2 was a different story, with Wemby coming down to earth with fewer points, and OKC evened the series with the less-experienced Spurs.
While foul calls were even at 21 apiece for the two teams in OKC’s 122-113 win, the Thunder shot seven more free throws than the Spurs did. SGA had the most of anyone on his team, going 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
The Thunder ranked 14th in terms of free throws during the regular season, with 1,557. According to StatMuse, OKC’s two-time MVP made the most free throws during the season with 540. Only Luka Doncic ranked ahead of him for attempts, receiving 645 this past season compared to SGA’s 614.
However, the Spurs showed in Game 1 that they are fully capable of defeating this Thunder team, foul-baiting or not. They’ll return to the court for Game 3 at home, beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
More news:Donovan Mitchell Gets Honest After Josh Hart Leads Knicks to Game 2 Win
For more about the Oklahoma City Thunder and the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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However, criticisms continue to arise about the way OKC plays the game, particularly regarding their ability to draw whistles from officials and rack up free throws.
Many fans, critics, and sports analysts have highlighted this aspect about SGA and his teammates winning games, including ESPN’s Jay Williams.
The former Duke star and NBA player ranted that he feels the Thunder are disrespecting the game of basketball because of their constant “foul-baiting” approach.
More news:Dillon Brooks Takes Shot at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander With ‘Unethical Hoops’
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 20: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives around Stephon Castle #5 of the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter in Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Center on May 20, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
“As a fan of the game, I just want to see the game respected. There are times where I watch OKC play, I don’t feel like they respect the process of the game. It’s too much foul baiting. When you fall down 95% of every shot you take in the 4th, I get physiologically exhausted,” Williams said while sounding off on ESPN’s “Get Up.”
“I can’t root for that,” he said regarding OKC’s style of play, after indicating he can root for guys like Victor Wembanyama, who plays through the physicality without constant whistles for foul calls.
It’s been a common complaint amongst OKC’s opponents, and it seems Williams hit the nail on the head, as many other players and fans are frustrated with what they’re seeing. The biggest issue is that other players will get fines for bringing it up, while Williams can criticize it freely on ESPN.
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals featured Wemby going off with a monstrous performance against OKC. The Spurs’ big man racked up 41 points and 24 rebounds after watching SGA receive his second NBA MVP Award before the game tipped off.
That translated to a double-overtime win for the Spurs. Game 2 was a different story, with Wemby coming down to earth with fewer points, and OKC evened the series with the less-experienced Spurs.
While foul calls were even at 21 apiece for the two teams in OKC’s 122-113 win, the Thunder shot seven more free throws than the Spurs did. SGA had the most of anyone on his team, going 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.
The Thunder ranked 14th in terms of free throws during the regular season, with 1,557. According to StatMuse, OKC’s two-time MVP made the most free throws during the season with 540. Only Luka Doncic ranked ahead of him for attempts, receiving 645 this past season compared to SGA’s 614.
However, the Spurs showed in Game 1 that they are fully capable of defeating this Thunder team, foul-baiting or not. They’ll return to the court for Game 3 at home, beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET on Friday.
More news:Donovan Mitchell Gets Honest After Josh Hart Leads Knicks to Game 2 Win
For more about the Oklahoma City Thunder and the NBA, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Related Articles
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