ESPN Reports: Minnesota TimberWolves head coach Chris Finch is currently facing backlash for publicly berating Oklahoma City point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over….

Head coach Chris Finch of Minnesota Timberwolves left on the Oklahoma City Thunder for how they play; their style results in a lot of fouls while their star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander receives calls in his favor for little contact.

Following their 131-128 OT victory, he hammered this in the post-game press conference.

Playing this team frustrates me greatly since they foul a lot. Indeed, they do. They pollute all the time, constantly. And then Shai is not really reachable. It’s a really annoying thing, and playing through it calls a lot of mental courage.”

Comparatively to OKC’s 29 times, the Timberwolves were the ones that made more free throws and visited line 39 39 times in this game. On the night, Shai separately made 17 free throws as Finch expressed a well-known criticism on Shai’s technique.

With a second-leading free throw count in the league this season, Shai goes to line 8.9 times per game. Although Giannis Antetokount is ahead of him, being a large player he has more bruising downhill play-style. Shai leads the league in free throw makes; thus, his 32.4-point average this season is much improved by the 8.0 points he gains at the line.

Fans and pundits have labeled Shai a bad merchant; indeed, she has had to answer these remarks to the public previously.

“none at all.” I guided the NBA in driving a few years ago. I therefore naturally expect to get fouled on drives. Usually, you fouled on drives more often than on jump shoots. That seems to be simply the way the game is designed naturally.

Later on, though, I picked some tips from the trade along the road. I have somewhat converted it into a talent. Regarding what people say, I not really give a damn. I’ll finish it as long as it’s efficient offensive and my team prevails.

Shai is currently utilizing this play style advantage, which has been observed of other historical players. James Harden and Trae Young have come under fire recently doing the same; even players like Dwyane Wade used a similar approach in their prime.

One other issue is the fouling caused by the other team defenders. Many supporters have noted the physicality of defenders like Lu Dort in particular, when officials pass him because of the rough style of his play. The Thunder match Playoff physicality year-round, and it’s evident that coaches like Finch follow this approach.