Sam Presti Defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander From Social Media Criticism Irks Fans – “He’s 4 People… SGA and 3 Refs”

Sam Presti spent a good chunk of his exit press conference defending leading superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Sam Presti Defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander From Social Media Criticism Irks Fans – “He’s 4 People… SGA and 3 Refs”

Sam Presti defends Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Image via FirstSportz)

It has been a few days since Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his Oklahoma City Thunder ended their championship defense. That generally means that GM Sam Presti will be tasked to figure out improvements if they are to extend their championship window.

Some argued after their loss to the San Antonio Spurs that injuries to Jalen Williams and a couple of others made it difficult for them to put up an even fight.

On the flip side of that argument are those who pointed out how the Thunder had far more firepower than they enjoyed last season. It is just that they did not get the job done.

Many pointed fingers at Chet Holmgren, labeling the center as one of the primary reasons for losing the West Finals. Some even asked Presti to trade away the 24-year-old.

However, not everyone was willing to place everything on the Gonzaga alum’s shoulders. There were also criticisms directed at Gilgeous-Alexander.

His drop in efficiency was evident against the Spurs, and the naysayers believed that once the officials stopped favoring him, the 2025 Finals MVP was not the same player who the league and the Thunder believe he is.

Relative to Shai and the narrative on that, he’s playing against 6 people. He’s got 5 defenders, and the 6th defender is social media.

Sam Presti told reporters

Essentially, one of the best executives in all of basketball just defended his most important player by suggesting the latter is playing against social media narratives.

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Fans tear into Sam Presti for defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s antics

The problem fans had with this opinion was that the very defense made it clear that Sam Presti and the Thunder organization know what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is accused of on a nightly basis.

More than his exceptional talent, his foul-baiting and flopping are the narratives that are slowly becoming a part of his legacy. Fans decided to remind the GM what they see every time SGA plays, examples of which are below.

Presti added that Gilgeous-Alexander will be subjected to this until social media finds its next target. He was trying to suggest that these narratives are untrue and that his two-time MVP is just facing the wrath of social media.

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Sam Presti explains why Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has changed the NBA

Reporters at the Oklahoma City Thunder press conference revealed that Presti spent a considerable chunk of time defending Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. One of the points he made was how the point guard plays the game.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Sam Presti after winning the 2025 title
Gilgeous-Alexander and Presti after winning the 2025 title (Image via NBA Central/X)

He’s brought the midrange back to an art form. He’s transcendent for any generation, any player. That’s why older players love his game. It’s also one of the reasons why he gets fouled a lot, because he plays in the midrange. Because we don’t call the landing space fouls in the midrange the way we do at the 3-point line.

Sam Presti said

This was him taking a shot at other teams that rely on three-pointers to prove how his biggest superstar is different in his abilities. SGA’s mid-range game is what makes him dangerous, and that is why he believes the Canadian is ‘transcendent.’

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