OKLAHOMA CITY — NBA officials reportedly opened a formal review Friday into whether Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has quietly expanded the definition of a shooting move to include getting bumped, snapping his head backward, and walking calmly to the free-throw line.
“We’re just trying to determine when the shot attempt actually begins,” said one league official. “Right now, it appears to begin when Shai notices a defender within arm’s reach.”
Investigators are studying a recurring sequence in which Gilgeous-Alexander drives toward the basket, absorbs light contact, reacts as though struck by a compact sedan, and is awarded two free throws.
Officials have tentatively named the maneuver “The Gather, Lean, Whistle.”
“Most players gather the ball, rise, and shoot,” said one anonymous referee. “Shai gathers the ball, gathers the defender, gathers our attention, and then gathers two free throws.”
League analysts are also reviewing whether “getting fouled” should now be classified alongside floaters, pull-ups, and step-backs as a legitimate scoring technique.
“From an efficiency standpoint, it’s hard to argue with,” said one researcher. “Nobody contests you, the clock stops, and the points still count.”
Several defenders said guarding Gilgeous-Alexander has become increasingly confusing.
“You stay vertical, keep your hands back, and move your feet,” said one Western Conference player. “Then the whistle blows and you start wondering whether proximity itself is a foul.”
One defender reportedly attempted to solve the problem by placing both hands behind his back.
He was called for blocking.
At press time, league officials were reviewing another SGA drive frame by frame before determining the foul occurred approximately two seconds before contact.
