Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Attorneys Send Underdog Sports ‘Cease & Desist’ Letter After Dillon Brooks Game Launch

Underdog created "Unethical Hoops," an Operation-esque game mocking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's efforts to draw fouls.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Attorneys Send Underdog Sports ‘Cease & Desist’ Letter After Dillon Brooks Game Launch

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Image credits - Firstsportz)

In Short
  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's attorneys sent a cease and desist letter to Underdog Sports over their game mocking his flopping.
  • The game "Unethical Hoops" features SGA and was created in response to criticism of his foul-baiting during playoffs.
  • SGA's legal team demands the destruction of the game and prohibits the use of his image and name for profit.

The foul-baiting and flopping claims surrounding Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are getting louder with every passing day. The two-time MVP has been facing widespread criticism from the NBA world for his constant flopping during games.

The flopping claims went so far that Underdog Sports created a game called ‘Unethical Hoops’. The game features SGA, and a buzzer would go off for a foul whenever the Thunder guard was touched.

However, it looks like SGA and his legal team have responded to the game. His lawyers have issued a cease-and-desist letter to Underdog Sports regarding the use of his image and likeness without his consent.

The game “Unethical Hoops” is based on the popular battery-operated game Operation. The video saw Underdog join hands with Dillon Brooks as the Phoenix Suns forward explained how the game works.

Using Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the demonstration video saw the video go viral in a few minutes. It showed that a buzzer would go off whenever SGA is touched. However, SGA’s legal representation has asked that all board games be destroyed and that they cannot use his image and name for profit.

SGA and the Oklahoma City Thunder have been heavily criticized for their foul-baiting in these playoffs. During Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs, the Spurs crowd began chanting ‘flopper’ at the Canadian international.

While SGA remained unbothered by the chants, the accusations and allegations are getting stronger. In Game 5 against the Spurs, SGA had 17 free throw attempts out of the Thunder’s 38 free throws. The narrative has been growing over the last two years, but has been louder than ever during these playoffs.

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Fans react to Underdog receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s lawyers

There is no doubt that the video of the game with Dillon Brooks is mocking the reigning MVP. While Brooks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander share a good relationship with each other, Brooks has criticized the officiating when the two clashed in the first round of the playoffs. Hence, it is not very surprising to see SGA’s international teammate feature in the video.

However, the latest cease-and-desist letter to Underdog had fans buzzing across social media.

Fans criticized SGA and his team for taking action over something that actually happens on the court. However, this is about using his image and name without his consent. Hence, it makes sense for his team to make sure it is taken down.

Tyrese Haliburton reveals flopping is taught from youth to NBA

Flopping and foul-baiting have become quite a concern in the NBA. Along with all the antics, the lack of consistency in foul calling from officials is another issue that the coaches and players are unhappy with.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Tyrese Haliburton (Image via WRTV/X)

However, Tyrese Haliburton came out in defense of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the midst of all the criticism. He revealed that flopping is part of how basketball is taught long before players reach the NBA.

It’s for sure being taught. I don’t think head coaches are, but it’s a part of player development before you get to the NBA. It’s something you naturally work on. It’s now a part of the game.

Tyrese Haliburton on The Pat McAfee Show

While the majority of the NBA world criticize SGA for his antics, Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr did not blame the guard. He believed that the 27-year-old was just making the most of the rules of the game.

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