Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the most efficient scorers in NBA history. He combines pristine shot-making and strong drives to the rim with a knack for getting to the free-throw line, albeit controversially.
While his “flopping” rubs plenty of NBA fans and media the wrong way, one analyst thinks Gilgeous-Alexander isn’t to blame for the league’s flopping problem.
Analyst Blames Flopping Epidemic on NBA and its Officials, Not Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
On the latest episode of “Pardon My Take,” Barstool Sports’ Dan Katz (Big Cat) and Eric Sollenberger (PMT Commentator) detailed why they don’t blame the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar for flopping.
“As for the flopping, I always just think it’s an NBA problem. It’s not as much of a player [problem]. People want to put it on the players … but it’s the refs,” Katz said. “If the refs don’t reward it, or if there is some type of punishment after the game … It would be out of the game … I’m not mad at SGA for a competitive advantage. I’m mad at the NBA for not being able to figure that out.”
NBA should be to blame for the flopping problem not SGA pic.twitter.com/NMb2NQX6Gn
— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) May 26, 2026
The league introduced flopping technical fouls before the start of the 2023-24 campaign. If an official calls a player for a flop, any player on the floor for the opposing team can shoot one technical free throw. However, officials rarely make these calls, and flopping technical fouls are far more common on the defensive side of the ball. Katz wants the league to emphasize calling techs on players who flop to get easy points at the charity stripe.
Gilgeous-Alexander shot 9.0 free throws per game during the 2025-26 regular season. That number has increased to 9.8 free throws per game through 12 postseason contests. He has five playoff games with double-digit free-throw attempts.
The two-time MVP takes every advantage he can find to score, and free throws are certainly a big part of his game (although reducing his game to just free throws takes away from his offensive brilliance in any other areas).
Sollenberger argued that the NBA needs to punish players after games to slow down the flopping issue.
“You have to be able to do it after the game … If it’s one of the crazier ones, there’s absolutely no discussion about whether or not there was contact, issue them a technical foul after the game. You can do it upon review,” he argued.
The NBA does have the ability to fine players for flopping after games; they start at $2,000 and that increases for repeat offenders. However, just like with the flopping technical fouls, the NBA very rarely issues these fines to players even for blatant flops, but perhaps they need to start punishing players more.
