Heavy lies the crown, as the adage goes. That couldn't be truer for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder . As they prepare for their title defense in the upcoming season, the pressure will only mount.

Gilgeous-Alexander, in particular, will be under intense scrutiny after leading the Thunder to the crown last season and winning his first MVP and Finals MVP trophies. He also earned his first scoring title.

The jokes about him getting a lot of free throws will grow louder. He has been mocked as the “Free Throw Merchant.” Last season, SGA averaged 8.8 free throw attempts per outing. It increased to 9.1 free throw shots per game in the NBA Finals, where the Thunder faced the Indiana Pacers .

Gilgeous-Alexander's nemesis in the series, Andrew Nembhard, wa

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