Playoff basketball always brings the drama, and this series is no different. The Detroit Pistons evened things up against the New York Knicks with a gritty 100 to 94 win at Madison Square Garden on April 21, 2025. But beneath the scoreline, the real battle is brewing around one player’s craftiness: Jalen Brunson, whose ability to draw fouls is becoming a game-changer.
In Game 1, Brunson got to the line 10 times, more than double anyone else, and turned eight of those into points, helping fuel the Knicks’ fourth quarter comeback. Pistons rookie Ausar Thompson took note, calling Brunson out for “selling fouls” and warning that falling for his tricks is a costly mistake. Game 2 only amplified the chatter. Jalen Brunson repeatedly exaggerated contact, often initiating it himself, especially against Thompson. Seeing this, an NBA veteran had some remarks.
In an episode of Run It Back With Fan Duel TV, DeMarcus ‘Boogie’ Cousins remarked on he incident, saying, “But when I see this and I’m seeing how this series is going to me is just showing that the defense is really bothering Jalen Brunson right now…. But the way that he’s performing and the way that you know he’s trying to sell these fouls is just showing me that the defense (Pistons) is really starting to bother him.”
. @BoogieCousins on Jalen Brunson’s foul-baiting:
“It’s showing that the Pistons defense is really bothering Jalen Brunson right now. … Also to see the young fella’s response to, ‘Is this a tough defensive assignment?’ Detroit’s answer is a nonchalant, ‘No.’” pic.twitter.com/l5cnSH8woH
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) April 22, 2025
Cousin’s remarks rang true, as the two-time All-Star was widely accused of flopping on numerous occasions in Game 2. Brunson has earned a reputation for it by now, with Bill Simmons calling him the best flopper in the NBA, and Jalen Brunson certainly tried his best to get more. One of the most debated moments came in the final two minutes, when Brunson baited a foul on a three-point attempt, a play that had the Pistons’ bench fuming and fans everywhere arguing.
Let’s face it, foul-baiting is one of the most polarizing strategies in the NBA. Some call it smart. Others call it frustrating. But no matter where you stand, it’s a skill that certain players have mastered to perfection.
Move over Jalen Brunson, NBA has more masters of foul baiting
Other than Jalen Brunson, here’s a look at a few stars who’ve made a career out of getting to the line. Curious how they do it?
Trae Young has become one of the league’s most recognizable foul baiters. With his stop and start dribble, sharp changes of direction, and clever use of the floater, he often initiates contact in a way that puts defenders in a tough spot. His size makes it easier to sell that contact, helping him rack up around seven free throw attempts per game.
Joel Embiid is a powerhouse in the paint, but don’t let the physicality fool you—he knows exactly how to draw contact and make it look like the defender’s fault. His footwork and body control allow him to bait fouls subtly, especially when he’s working in the post.
Then there’s James Harden, who brought foul-baiting into the spotlight. His signature moves, the arm hook, the late shot release, and the dramatic reactions, changed the way we think about contact. Love it or not, it’s been a huge part of what’s made him one of the most efficient scorers in history. Gilbert Arenas said it best, albeit with poor choice of words, saying, “He’s a baiter right because he shoots so well… he’s going to bait you… he’s a baiter… is he a novice baiter or is he a master… he’s 35, he’s a master baiter…”
Luka Doncic takes a more methodical approach. He initiates contact on drives and pull ups, often initiating contact by leaning in at just the right moment. His ability to read defenders and control tempo makes his foul drawing tactics look natural, even when they’re not. Using the rules to his advantage is something he has mastered, and many players have taken cues from him in recent seasons.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander plays with a quiet kind of craft. He’s less about the theatrics and more about pace and timing, using his body control to force defenders into bad positions without making it obvious. And finally, Anthony Davis. He’s physical and dominant, which naturally leads to a lot of fouls. While he’s not known for baiting techniques per se, he’s smart enough to take advantage when the opportunity presents itself. Regardless, he is not a master of the ‘art of drawing fouls’ in the same sense as others, say, for example, Trae Young or James Harden.
Each of these players has a different style, but they all understand one thing: getting to the free-throw line is a skill. And that everything is fair in love and war, and this is war, period.
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