SGA responds to criticism: “When fans start to hate you, you’re doing something right”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander answered criticism over his trips to the foul line with a broader point about the path of NBA superstars:
“Everybody in the history of the NBA has an arc where everyone loves them, and then everyone hates them. LeBron James was hated, and look what he’s done for the game? It’s part of the game. I love it. It’s stuff I dreamed about as a kid”.

The Oklahoma City Thunder leader then expanded the discussion to how fans react when their own stars get calls:
“But you’ll never hear an OKC fan complain about my free throws. You’ll never hear a Denver fan complain about Jokić’s free throws. You’ll never hear a Lakers fan complain about Luka’s free throws. It’s just part of the business”.