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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander highlights why many fans dislike the Oklahoma City Thunder, citing their success and perceived officiating advantages. The Thunder's impressive record and gameplay strategies contribute to this animosity.
Love them or hate them, the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder's success over the last few years is undeniable.
Three straight Western Conference No. 1 playoff seeds. Nearly 180 regular-season wins and 30 postseason victories (and counting). And, of course, the 2025 NBA title. Ho-hum.
The Thunder are a preeminent example of what it means to thrive at the highest level of professional basketball. They are a machine, powered by likely back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander and the NBA's deepest, most talented roster. Whether they admit it or not, everyone in the Association right now would love to trade places with Oklahoma City atop the league's hierarchy. Without question.
For those that hate the Thunder, of which there are many, it's a common refrain to talk about how they've gamed the officials. Shoot, even some of the NBA's more famous (ahem) purple and gold "pots" have called the "kettle" black. How, on one end, a gifted player like Gilgeous-Alexander has maximized accentuating contact for free throws, and, on defense, the Thunder get so physical with the opposition that it's hard to call absolutely everything a foul. While I'm inclined to agree that the Thunder are threading an officiating needle we've seldom seen, and I do understand why it's sometimes so frustrating to watch this sort of behavior from an otherwise great team, let's be very clear about what most people do when they only highlight this specific part of Oklahoma City's puzzle.
It is extreme coping at best, and green with envy at worst. The Thunder are a villain to many, and a compelling one at that, precisely because they're so good. Full stop.
In a new story from ESPN's Tim Keown about the Thunder's ongoing dominance, Gilgeous-Alexander explained this phenomenon about non-Thunder fans perfectly. :
Opposing fans often dislike the Thunder due to their recent success and perceptions that they manipulate officiating to their advantage.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander pointed out that while the Thunder's gameplay can frustrate fans, it is a testament to their skill and success.
The Thunder have achieved three consecutive Western Conference No. 1 playoff seeds, nearly 180 regular-season wins, and 30 postseason victories.

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"It's fun to me," he says [Gilgeous-Alexander]. "The way I see it, the fans [non-Thunder fans], the people that watched the games and root against us, they want their team to win. You will never hear an Oklahoma City Thunder fan complaining about my free throws. You will never hear a [Los Angeles] Lakers fan complaining about LeBron [James'] or Luka's [Dončić] free throws."
He shrugs, laughs and holds his massive hands in front of his chest.
"I get it, guys," he says. "I would hate me, too."
Gilgeous-Alexander is so right. Anyone who complains about what the Thunder accomplish with officiating likely and often ignores it when it benefits their own favorite team and players. There's nothing wrong with that. A spade is a spade. It's just human nature, after all.
Still, it's admittedly really funny to see that a star as special as Gilgeous-Alexander understands this sports fan dichotomy. More than anyone on the Thunder, that is what makes him such a good villain.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander says people downplay hated Thunder with bias