In today’s NBA, only Giannis Antetokounmpo shoots more free throws per game (10.4) than MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (8.9). This dynamic, of course, tends to make some NBA fans reflexively recoil.

Alexander, loyalty is law. It's the creed of the Thunder's face of the franchise, a starter in Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game by an overwhelming vote.

According to OptaSTATS, he has scored at least 20 points in each of his last 50 games where he played under 40 minutes. The next longest streak of that nature is only 30 games. When SGA is pulled out of a game early, it's because he's done more than enough to earn the rest and put the game out of reach for his opponents.