Jaylen Brown and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are heating things up on and off the court, with their rivalry extending beyond just the MVP race.
After the Boston Celtics narrowly lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder a couple of weeks back, Brown voiced his frustrations over what he saw as Gilgeous-Alexander's "foul-baiting" tactics.
“We praise players for playing the game the right way, but then we reward those who manipulate it,” Brown remarked. “All the foul baiting... it’s whatever for me.”
Interestingly, Brown himself took 14 free throws in that game. Over his last seven outings, he’s stepped to the line 81 times, including another 14 in the Celtics' recent win over the Thunder.
In a twist of irony, Brown even tried out SGA's signature foul-baiting maneuver, much to the latter's amusement.
Gilgeous-Alexander, reflecting on Brown’s tactics, said, “He’s been great at getting to the line, especially against us. Fourteen free throws twice? That’s impressive.”
SGA, the reigning MVP, didn’t hold back in his postgame comments. “The best players in history get to the free-throw line. It’s smart basketball and the most efficient way to score.”
Brown might not be thrilled with this aspect of the game, but it's hard to argue with Gilgeous-Alexander's effectiveness. Averaging over 30 points per game for the fourth consecutive season, SGA is proving that mastering the art of drawing fouls is a key part of elite play. Brown’s recent trips to the line suggest he might be catching on: if you can’t beat 'em, join 'em.