One of the biggest talking points in the NBA at the moment is the number of fouls called on certain players.
Defending MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson are two prime examples.
Both point guards take a lot of free throws and have been accused of baiting the referees into calling fouls.
Brunson has now defended himself from the critics in a conversation with three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams.
- READ MORE: Why Paul Pierce thinks the New York Knicks’ NBA Cup win is a dead end
Jalen Brunson for MVP?
Jalen Brunson has been on fire in the month of December averaging close to 30 points per game while shooting 50 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from three.
Jalen Brunson denies foul-baiting NBA referees
Williams asked Brunson about the foul-baiting accusations on The Underground Lounge podcast.
Brunson, who recently led the Knicks to the NBA Cup, maintained that there is nothing wrong with his style of play.
“I play by the rules. I’m not a foul-baiter,” he explained. “I just play by the rules. Be disciplined on defense.”
Brunson was then questioned about jumping into defenders to trick the referees into thinking he was fouled.
“I don’t jump backwards. Go look,” he responded. “Go watch the film. I jump straight up. You’re running full speed.
“When I’m going, and the defender is on the screen. You’re supposed to trail or get back in front.
“If I’m running full speed, I’m going to shoot. I’m going to shoot, and if you foul me, you foul me.
“I’m not saying, ‘I need to get fouled.’ I’m going to see if there’s contact, and I’m shooting the ball regardless. I’m going to score.”
Only Brunson knows whether he is trying to bait the officials, but whatever the case may be, his method is effective.
START, BENCH, CUT: New York Knicks edition
- Mikal Bridges
- Josh Hart
- OG Anunoby
Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
How Jalen Brunson’s free-throw attempts compare
Jalen Brunson ranks only 18th in the NBA for free-throw attempts per game (6.8), less than most fans would expect.
Brunson only takes 0.2 free throws more than teammate Karl-Anthony Towns, despite playing two more minutes on average.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic (12.1) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9.5) shoot plenty more than the Knicks guard.
Given the discrepancy between him and some of his rivals, perhaps Brunson should actually go to the line more often.
Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say