This season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 8.8 free throw attempts, making 7.7, but the past two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves have seen an increase. He attempted 14 in Game 1 and 15 in Game 2 as Michael Malone called him a “foul artist” on ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt show. “I think that’s an easy way to put it. Obviously, you watch the last series against Denver. I’ll tell you what, you got to be ultra disciplined,” Malone said. “Yeah, it’s almost impossible. You think about trying to guard the best offensive players in the league nowadays, it becomes almost impossible. Any contact, a lot of times, offensive players like Shai will initiate the contact, will hook his arm, looking to draw that contact.” “He is a foul artist, as I mentioned earlier today,” Malone said. “So discipline, and you’re hoping that the referees read how the game is being whistled after allowing you to be a little bit more aggressive. You can do that. But once again, he’s been living at the foul line. 14 free throw attempts game, 15 tonight, that’s not going to get it done.”Source: Clutch Points
