The free throw is a failure to the opponent collapse! What is Alexander s ability to make fouls?

Although those who are famous all over the world also slander the world, the biggest controversy for Thunder's MVP star Alexander comes from the number of free throws he committed fouls. So what is Alexander's ability to commit fouls? This issue of the column will help you understand through in-depth data analysis.

Alexander was controversial in the playoffs due to free throws, and Timberwolves home fans even cited the billboard of "free throw merchants". Judging from the number of free throws in each game in the playoffs, Alexander's fouls and standing on the free throw line is not stable. The highest 15 free throws in a single game came from the second game against the Timberwolves. 15 free throws in a single game are not a very high number in NBA history. In addition, he does not always get more free throw opportunities in every game. If you look at it in a single game, it is hard to say that he is a star who continues to receive the care of the referee.

At the same time, Alexander averaged 9.2 free throws per game this season, which is the fourth most per game in the league, and he is not the most per game in the playoffs in a single season. He is even lower than Doncic and Mitchell among the defenders. In terms of absolute numbers, even if Alexander has received some care from the league referees, he is not the most profitable player;

Alexander is the player with the most breakthrough attempts per game in the playoffs this season. He averaged 20.2 breakthrough attempts per game. It is well known that breakthroughs are more likely to cause physical confrontation and cause opponents to foul free throws. Although Alexander averages the most breakthroughs per game, he has ranked fourth in the league after breakthrough. Judging from the relationship between breakthroughs and free throws, although Alexander has won more free throws, it is not the highest level.

Based on the number of free throws per game and the number of breakthroughs, many people also spoke up for Alexander, believing that although he received some care, he actually did not take too much care within a reasonable range, and the criticism of him by his opponents and fans is unreasonable. So what level is Alexander's average of 9.2 free throws per game this season among the league players in recent seasons? Due to different positions in the arena, the outside players in the playoffs are selected here to compare:

Devin Booker 10.3 times in 2024, Edwards 7.8 times in 2023, Morant 9.7 times in 2022, Tatum 9.8 times in 2021, Doncic 10.7 times in 2020, Harden 8.9 times in 2019, James 9.7 times in 2018, Westbrook 14 times in 2017, and Harden 9 times in 2016. In terms of the number of games, Alexander's average of 9.2 times per game is even the downstream level among the outside players with the most free throws per game in the past 10 years.

Of course, if you use absolute free throws, it may be biased. After all, the mobile phones consumed by each person will be different. Here we will use the proportion of free throw scores to compare:

Alexander accounted for 22.6% in 2025, Booker accounted for 22% in 2024, and Edwards accounted for 20.9% in 2023. Morant was 20.2% in 2022, Tatum was 29.4% in 2021, Doncic was 22.6% in 2020, Harden was 23.5% in 2019, James was 21.3% in 2018, Westbrook was 29.9% in 2017, and Harden was 28.6% in 2016. In terms of free throw score proportion, Alexander's 22.6% is at the mid-level of the outside free throw king in each season in the past 10 years.

Therefore, Alexander can be said to have won more free throws, but the range is within a reasonable range. Even this season is not an exaggerated level. If compared with his foul-making free throws in the past 10 years, he can only be considered a mid-level level. It can be considered as less than the top and less than the bottom. Compared with ordinary stars, he has indeed won more free throws, but he is obviously still a distance away from the real foul-making master.