Celts’ Brown Criticizes Foul-Baiting, Says League Rewards Flopping
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said the NBA is encouraging players to “foul bait” and flop for whistles after a 104-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night.
Brown, who poured in 34 points and matched a season high with 14 free-throw attempts, spoke with reporters for the first time since being ejected Tuesday in San Antonio. He argued that referees ignored contact from Spurs rookie Stephon Castle and was hit with two technical fouls in the second quarter of that game.
“I’m not looking to flop, but it’s almost like you’ve got to,” Brown said Thursday. “I drove strong in the fourth quarter and didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. Maybe if I flopped, I would’ve sold the call. Those plays decide games.”
While Brown did not name Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP’s knack for drawing fouls is often debated. Gilgeous-Alexander averages 9.2 free throws per game, third in the league behind Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Brown ranks 15th at 7.1.
On Thursday, however, Brown went to the line six more times than Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder guard finished with 35 points and extended his record streak of 20-point outings to 127, but he attempted no free throws in the fourth quarter, when Brown earned seven of his 14 tries.
Asked to define foul baiting, Brown replied, “It’s when you’re not even trying to score and you fling your body into a defender just to look like you’re getting fouled. That’s where the NBA is at — get down or lay down — so maybe I need to flop a little more.”
Brown added that he was “pissed” about Tuesday’s ejection against the Spurs, a matchup he had circled on the calendar. “I felt ready for a big-time performance and my night got cut short,” he said. “I don’t think I deserved to get tossed, and I think the NBA agreed because I wasn’t fined.”
Source: ESPN
