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The New York Knicks pulled off a shocking comeback in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Monday night, erasing a double-digit deficit in the second half to beat the San Antonio Spurs 105-95.
It's safe to say the Knicks would not have been able to pull off the road victory without the heroics from star point guard Jalen Brunson. Despite a relatively inefficient performance, Brunson had 13 points in the fourth quarter, spearheading New York's win.
Throughout Brunson's career, he's been accused of flopping, foul-baiting, and being an "unethical hooper." But if the Spurs guards are paying their respect to the captain of the Knicks, basketball fans should too.
Stephon Castle says Jalen Brunson is not a foul baiter
Speaking with reporters in between Games 1 and 2, Spurs guard Stephon Castle was asked about the difference between defending Brunson and Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Jalen's left-handed, Shai's right-handed. I think Shai - he's more of a threat to get all the way downhill, all the way to the basket," Castle said via SNY.
"Jalen likes to use angles a lot more, using a little more pump fakes than Shai...Not really trying to draw fouls as much, trying to get to his midrange and get to spots where he likes. Just trying to keep him from doing that."
The flopping noise surrounding Brunson is misguided, to say the least. In Game 1 of the Finals, Brunson only attempted four free throws, a stark comparison to what Gilgeous-Alexander was averaging per game in the Western Conference Finals.
It's clear that both of these teams have a distinct level of respect for one another, and it should only lead to a better series.
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