“I Play by the Rules”: Jalen Brunson Slaps Down Foul-Baiting Accusations

New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson is one of the trickiest scorers in the NBA. He can shoot it from almost anywhere on the floor, making it hard for defenders to slow him down. Brunson is also a threat on the charity stripe, shooting 82.5% in 4.0 attempts throughout his career.

In the recent episode of "The Underground Lounge," Brunson shut down the accusations of being a foul-baiter. He defended himself, saying that he plays by the rules.

“I play by the rules, I’m not a foul baiter. I just play by the rules,” Brunson said. “Be disciplined on defense. Don’t reach.

The host of the podcast, former NBA player Lou Williams, wasn't convinced. Williams told the Knicks star that there have been times when he took advantage of the contact the defense had on him. However, Brunson explained himself and said that there are differences in how he generates contact.

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“I don’t jump backwards, go look, go watch the film… If you’re running full speed, I’m gonna shoot, and if you foul me, you foul me. I’m not saying, ‘Oh, I need to get fouled.’ I’m gonna see if there’s contact, and I’m shooting the ball, regardless. I’m going to score… Jumping straight up versus jumping backwards are different.”

This season, he's making 84.7% of his shots from the line on 6.8 per game. The most he's attempted this year was 13 shots from the charity stripe, which he did twice.

On Sunday, Jalen Brunson led the Knicks to a 132-125 win over the Miami Heat. Brunson had 47 points and shot 100% from the line on 11 attempts.

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Fans react to Jalen Brunson's argument being not a foul-baiter

Fans had various reactions to what Jalen Brunson said. Although the Knicks star is firm in his belief that he doesn't generate contact like certain players who are labeled as "foul-baiters," fans say otherwise. Here are some of what the fans said.

"He runs in front of people and stops and waits for them to crash into him and then hurls himself on the ground like he was shot," a fan said. "He plays basketball like he's committing insurance fraud." "Gaslighting at its finest, I don't blame the players though I blame the league for allowing it," another fan commented. "Says the guy who grabs defenders arms to hit him in the face to bait a call 😂" one fan said.

Fans continued to argue that Jalen Brunson is a "foul-baiter."

"Every foul baiter says 'I just play by the rules' 😭😭😭" a comment read. "He said that with a straight face," someone commented. "I need a 10 minute flopping supermix posted right now," one fan commented.

Fans still believe that he draws fouls in a certain way that paint him as a foul-baiter in the league.

Edited by Reign Amurao