Jalen Brunson isn’t one of the biggest, fastest or most explosive security guards in the NBA, but because everyone is not clever, he’s become one of the best. Branson climbs into the world of basketball and faces skeptics from underrated recruits to college basketball legends Villanova Second draft pick Dallas Mavericks I didn’t want it in the long run. He’s transformed into a true NBA superstar New York Knicks Despite the same limitations, traditional scouts have always been seen by him.
Ausar Thompson is almost the opposite of Brunson. He is an amazing positional sized elite quick towitch athlete who is still learning how to sharpen his skill set and apply tools. Thompson portrays Branson’s assignment Detroit Piston The Knicks are taking over in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs, and Branson has already thrown a kitchen sink at him through two games.
In reality, that means Branson is doing everything he can to feed Thompson on a foul and sell them to references. That has led to widespread complaints that Branson is a flopper.
The Pistons defeated the series’ 100-94 Knicks 100-94 in Game 2 on Monday night. Branson had a big game for the Knicks (37 points, 7 assists), but most of the talks during the contest were about his floping. The Knicks star fouled out Thompson with just five minutes left in regulation and quickly celebrated by lifting six fingers into the air.
Ausar Thompson before the game: “He’s good at drawing fouls. Well, he’s good at selling – for sale – for fouls. So you’ve just got smarter.”
Jalen Brunson began fouling out of the game by AUSAR, lifting six fingers. pic.twitter.com/tkgdt5zlvi
– Stephenoh (@stephenoh) April 22, 2025
This play is an example of why it’s so difficult to protect Branson without fouling. As soon as Thompson reaches out, Branson throws his body at him to reach the free throw line. Through two games, Branson attempts 10.5 free throws per game in this series.
Part of Branson’s foul drowning in the first half of the game was far worse. One of the proven rules of the flop is that if you fall, the reference usually calls a foul. Thompson had a great defense here. Branson beats Branson to the floor where he was about to reach, but when Branson collapses, Lev blows Thompson whi.
Thompson hunts Branson in the backcourt in this possession when the Knicks hook his arm. In REF, the two players intertwined and called Thompson a foul.
This is a closer look at the play.
Basketball is a contact sport and Branson really knows how to sell that contact. He even whips out of minor contact, throws his head back, falls to the ground, forces the ref to do something about it. As long as he continues to be rewarded, Branson will continue to do so.
At one point, Branson is only hurting his own reputation. Following the Pistons’ victory there was a lot of talk about his flop.
Branson may be the worst flopper of all time, that doesn’t bother me much for some reason, but his weathering is very extreme
– Eli The Economist (@flawlesslikeeli) April 22, 2025
If I took a shot for all Jalen Brunson Flops, I’ll die
– Tom Her (@koreapistonsfan) April 22, 2025
This Branson performance is embarrassing. All possessions are flops
– Mike Zavagno (@mzavagno11) April 22, 2025
Jalen Brunson is far too good at floping on the floor throughout all the games. That’s ridiculous.
– Anthony Hughey (@Hughey24) April 22, 2025
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau defended Branson after the gameand noted that the Pistons enjoyed the advantage of a 34-19 free throw attempt at New York in Game 2. Thibs complained with reference to consistency, but it’s hard to force when star players exaggerate every opportunity.
The Knicks Pistons are his best physics Eastern Conference basketball. No one said it would be clean.
