Bill Simmons Says Jalen Brunson Has Become A ‘Preeminent Flopper’

At just 6’2″, Jalen Brunson has carved out a reputation as a fearless driver, leveraging his quickness and exceptional footwork to draw contact from defenders.

Yet in the New York Knicks’ recent battle with the Boston Celtics, something unusual occurred—Brunson didn’t attempt a single free throw.

This surprising development caught a lot of attention, especially for a player who’s often labeled a “flopper” or “foul hunter.”

Bill Simmons of The Ringer recently offered a spicy take on Brunson’s playing style, adding fuel to the ongoing debate.

During a recent episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast,” Simmons didn’t hold back, declaring that Jalen Brunson has become “the preeminent flopper in the NBA.”

“He’s flopping on picks. He’s flopping coming off screens. He’s flopping when somebody bumps into him on a drive. He’s flopping for charges. I think he’s the complete package. It was some of the best flopping I’ve seen,” Simmons said.

Bill Simmons says that Jalen Brunson has become “the preeminent flopper in the NBA”

“He’s flopping on picks, flopping coming off screens, flopping when someone bumps into him on a drive, he’s flopping for charges… I think he’s the complete package” pic.twitter.com/wiFwTFCooZ

— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) February 24, 2025

In Simmons’ view, Brunson has mastered the art of selling contact throughout the game—whether he’s drawing offensive fouls, exaggerating bumps while driving to the basket, or selling contact on screens and charges.

While players like James Harden and Trae Young once dominated this aspect of the game, rule changes and the natural aging process may have diminished their effectiveness.

Brunson’s performance against the Celtics left quite an impression on observers, as he appeared to draw contact across various areas of the court.

Despite these efforts, he finished the game without a single trip to the charity stripe, suggesting officials allowed a more physical style of play that particular night.

While Brunson does occasionally exaggerate contact, this tactic has become commonplace in today’s NBA.

The practice has become so widespread that the league has implemented specific measures to address flopping.

Nevertheless, despite his reputation for selling fouls, Brunson isn’t constantly parading to the free-throw line.

Ranking only 8th in free throw attempts this season, the numbers tell a different story.

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