Decrypt Alexander s free throw code: Is it a technical crush or a league "own son"?

In recent years, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), the leading star of the Oklahoma City Thunder, has risen rapidly with his gorgeous style and comprehensive technology, becoming one of the most dazzling stars in the league. However, with his personal data and team record soaring, there is also a topic that fans and commentators talk about (or argue endlessly) - his "unreasonably high" free throws per game. For a time, SGA seemed to have become a "newbies" on the free throw line, and various discussions were rampant: Is this kid relying on his unique foul skills in martial arts, or is he "special care" of the league behind him, and wants to promote him as the next storefront?

To be honest, in the league for so many years, there have been more "body whistles", "superstar whistles" and even "black whistles". What is the trick behind Alexander's free throw data? Is it true kung fu or unspoken rules?

To figure out why Alexander got so many free throws, he must first start with his technical characteristics. This kid is not relying on the referee to "feed" him. He is the first-rate ability to "find food" himself. The unique breakthrough rhythm and unpredictable footsteps are the "first torture" of the defender. One of the most prominent features of Alexander is his breakthrough that glides like a spirit snake. He is tall and long (the official height of Antetokounmpo is 224cm in wingspan. Although Alexander does not have such accurate data, his wingspan advantage is obvious), the breakthrough does not rely on absolute speed and explosive power, but is full of a unique sense of rhythm. He is good at using large-scale changes in direction and speed, combined with various advanced steps such as European steps, hesitation moves, cross steps, etc., making the defender dance like he was dancing on the ice, making his true intentions elusive. His startup is often not the fastest, but the subsequent rhythm changes and pace combinations are extremely deceptive.

This "snake dance move" is a devastating blow to the defender's balance and position. When a defensive player tries to keep up with his unpredictable rhythm, it is easy to lose his center of gravity, resulting in fouls such as invasion of cylinders, thugs or blocking during assisting or re-defense. Alexander is also very good at using the ductility of his body to actively seek and create physical contact during the breakthrough process, putting the defender in an unfavorable penalty situation. As former NBA player JJ Redick said when commenting on an impact player like Antetokounmpo: "Giannis (Antetokounmpo) is like a beast, he will definitely be fouled... When you watch the game, you will feel that, yes, they pulled him six times. Just pull his arm and pulled him six times. In this case, he will of course be fined 20 goals! Those are real fouls! "Although Alexander's style is different, the logic of creating fouls through rhythm and footsteps is the same.

In the basket confrontation, Alexander showed an extremely high ball quotient. He knows how to proactively find more favorable contact points in confrontation, or to amplify the degree of violation through a reasonable body posture (within the scope permitted by the rules) to "help" the referee make a call. He is especially good at skillfully converting a defender's slight touch into a shooting foul during an imminent shot or shot. This ability to "take out" free throws is an important reason for his high free throw count. The reference materials mentioned that Antetokounmpo won free throws in low posts and at the basket. For example, he would use traditional center moves such as "turning around and hooking" to complete the score and possibly create fouls, while Alexander used the method of defending to create similar effects at the basket. The scenes of "and-one" in Alexander's game are common, which is an intuitive reflection of his ability to confront and foul under the basket. Even when facing multiple teams, he still has a way to find room for attack in the cracks of people and win the whistle.

Alexander predicts and lures, allowing the defensive players to make foul actions at unfavorable times and positions. For example, when the opponent is eager to steal, he will take the initiative to make physical contact; when the opponent jumps to block, he will take the initiative to find physical contact and make shooting moves. It should be emphasized that this is different from the "non-basketball action" fouls caused by the league. It is more of a combination of high-ball merchandising and top technology, and it is a game within the framework of rules. Some of his fouls are considered "textbook-level" cleverness, such as sudden slowdowns during a breakthrough, allowing the chasing player to hit him. The number of fouls caused by shooting actions (including shooting after breakthroughs) per game must be the top level among players in the same position.

Alexander is not just going to break through, his mid-range shot is also quite threatening. Whether it is an emergency stop jump shot or a throw at various rhythms, it has a stable shooting percentage. This forces the defender not to let him go easily and must be close to the defense. Because of fear of Alexander's mid-range shooting, defenders are more likely to lose their defensive balance or overreact when they are close to defense. Once Alexander suddenly starts a breakthrough after using a fake shooting action, the defender often causes a foul due to shifting the center of gravity forward or lack of reaction. The threat of central shot also provides a solid foundation for him to commit fouls before breaking through, making it difficult for defenders to make decisions between "shot" and "storm", and it is easier to make mistakes. The rules and swearing standards of the

NBA have been evolving. In recent years, the league has had several obvious trends:

Fighting against "non-basketball actions" fouls: The league clearly stated that it would further improve the phishing standards and issue rules for players who deliberately create fouls to ensure the smoothness of the game. Protect the players who break through the ball with the ball, and the referee's call will become stricter for the thugs and blocking fouls during the breakthrough process. Encourage offensive fluency: reduce unnecessary physical confrontation and make the game more viewing. According to a study by The Sport Journal, rule changes are designed to make games faster and provide more freedom for offenses. NBA referee development and training vice president Monty McCachin also said that the league will not change the scale of calls in the playoffs, and emphasized that calls for non-basketball actions will be insisted on.

The focus is now on. Does Alexander's technical characteristics—breakthroughs centered on rhythm changes, foot swaying as the sway, and the ability to finish the end in confrontation—are exactly the same as the current offensive approach encouraged and protected by the league? The answer is yes. Under the current rules, his playing style is easier to get favorable penalties. This is not "care", but that he has become one of the "version answers" of this era and is a reflection of the strong adaptability of rules. If the league emphasizes the call for fouls on the shooting hand, and Alexander is particularly good at creating such contact when shooting, then his increase in free throws will be a natural result.