Knicks star blasted for foul-baiting: 'Level beyond even peak Harden'

The New York Knicks had plenty of complaints for the officials following a loss in Game 2 versus the Detroit Pistons, but are the Knicks fooling themselves?

New York’s head coach Tom Thibodeau was sure to notify the press about the free throw disparity, arguing that Knicks star Jalen Brunson isn’t getting the same type of calls from the refs as Pistons star Cade Cunningham.

Not everyone shares Thibodeau’s viewpoint, though, even basketball fans without bias toward the Knicks.

NBA scout Nate Duncan posted a scathing critique of Brunson’s alleged foul-baiting tactics, providing an alternative perspective on the foul situation for the Knicks.

“Brunson has become my least favorite watch in the league,” Duncan wrote.

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“It's a shame because with his skill level he should be one of my favorites, but the referee baiting is never ending. He does something on seemingly every possession on both ends. It's a level beyond even peak (James) Harden.”

Harden was famous for foul-baiting during his days with the Houston Rockets, leading the NBA to re-consider how it officiates foul calls.

Perhaps Duncan is right and Brunson isn’t getting calls because NBA refs are fed up with his tactics or otherwise not fooled by them.

Whatever it is, Brunson needs to figure out a way to lead his team to victory in one of the following two road games in Detroit.

If the Knicks were to go down 3-1 headed back to Madison Square Garden, it would become incredibly difficult for New York to play loose enough offensively to overcome the Pistons’ defense.

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