Mike Greenberg Does Not Enjoy Watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Play Basketball

Oklahoma City Thunder fans probably aren't thrilled with ESPN host Mike Greenberg this week.

With Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals set for this Thursday evening, Greenberg unleashed a rant about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's style of play. The two-time MVP has led the league in free throws made in each of the past four seasons. While he deserves credit for being a crafty scorer, some people believe he's constantly hunting for fouls.

Greenberg declared that Gilgeous-Alexander isn't fun to watch despite averaging 31.1 points per game this season.

"Sometimes, watching him play is agonizing," Greenberg said. "It is not fun. There's a reason this is such a polarizing group. When they're your guys, you love them. ... You have to understand that for the rest of us, watching this style of play is not like watching Steph, it's not like watching Michael Jordan. It's just not. We're watching to be entertained."

Greenberg facing backlash for his take about SGA.

Unsurprisingly, a good portion of the NBA community ripped Greenberg for this rant.

"Efficiency isn't always flashy, but SGA get buckets, style debates won't change the W's he racks up," one fan said.

"Averaging 30, winning a title, winning back to back MVPs is boring to Mr Greenberg, but Mike I find your style Excellent but boring and you have won Emmys and been inducted into the radio and broadcast Hall of Fame," a second fan wrote.

"This type of commentary surrounding him is exactly why I want to see SGA run it up repeatedly," another fan replied.

Gilgeous-Alexander will try to silence his critics tonight and send the Thunder back to the NBA Finals.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 8:27 AM.