The conversations around fouls and how they’re called in the NBA have been raging for years, with fans and media analysts often criticizing specific players for exploiting these rules to maximize free throw attempts. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is being accused of being a foul-baiter himself, NBA podcaster Bill Simmons awarded the title to New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson.
“I had a Brunson thing for you.. He’s becoming the pre-eminent flopper in the NBA. I have to put him… It’s just a bunch of things, he’s doing on offense and defense. Kudos him because it’s working.”
“But I think Hart is getting older, maybe his best flopping days were in the 2018-19 range. Trae Young was there for a second but I think some of the rule-changes have gone over the top of his head a little too much.”
” Brunson is top of the game. He’s bluffing on picks, coming off screens when someone bumps into him on a drive. He’s flopping for charges. I think he’s the complete package, it’s some of the best flopping I’ve ever seen.”
Bill Simmons: “I think Jalen Brunson‘s become the preeminent flopper in the NBA… Harden’s getting a little older…Trae Young was there for a second…Brunson’s top of his game…the complete package. It’s some of the best flopping I’ve ever seen”
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This is quite the take from Brunson, who averaged 6.8 free-throw attempts per game. He’s improving his season scoring number with 5.6 points from the line to create a total figure of 26.0 points. Getting to the free throw line is a skill but it is something that the fans don’t understand.
Brunson does have a drive-heavy game which often finds him bumping into bigger defenders in the paint. As a result of that defensive attention, Brunson could just become a more consistent passer instead of throwing up a shot with the hope they’d get a foul.
Other prime candidates for Simmons’ prize of ‘flopper of the year’ would include the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was criticized by the same Minnesota Timberwolves fans who beat them last night.
Wolves fans were tired of seeing Gilgeous-Alexander going to the line 8 or 9 times per game (second-most in the NBA) while leading the scoring and making the most free throw shots (8.0 FTM). So, Simmons’ take for Brunson should apply to the 6’6″ point guard going to the line far more often than the 6’1″ guard.
The NBA keeps adjusting rules on fouls and the players keep adjusting to it. As long as it’s a winning way of playing, players will try to exploit that. Brunson is doing the same and shooting a ton of free throws at his size. He should be expected to continue doing so, which will likely make Bill Simmons rather upset at what he’s watching.
Brunson will continue doing what he needs to lead the Knicks to wins after helping the franchise secure a 37-20 record so far this season. They could be real contenders with Brunson at the helm but have been struggling against the best teams in the NBA.
Free throw-oriented styles often fall flat in the Playoffs, so the Knicks have to hope their quality is good enough without Brunson relying on calls in the postseason. It doesn’t look like he’s doing it right now as egregiously despite what Simmons is saying, but it is a factor in his style that could cause problems.
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