Jalen Brunson punishment called for after Knicks star pulls off ‘banned’ move

NBA fans want Jalen Brunson to be punished for a move which they claim is banned.

The New York Knicks guard, 28, is one of the most elusive dribblers in the game.

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And he tends to draw fouls from opponents given his quick moves.

But a clip from last Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Brooklyn Nets had fans talking.

Brunson was driving to the paint past his opponent Jalen Wilson.

He then stopped to pull up for a field-goal attempt from the free-throw line.

After dribbling past his opponent, Brunson hit the brakes hard and jumped straight up.

He seemingly tried to draw a foul from his opponent, who crashed into the back of him as he couldn’t stop his momentum.

And one fan said on X, “The NBA literally banned Trae Young, James Harden and Steph Curry from doing this.

“But Brunson is still allowed to flop and do it.”

The fan remark was in reference to a new rule implemented in 2020.

The league tried to eliminate players hunting for fouls with “non-basketball moves.”

Harden averaged 11 free throws per game in the 2019-20 season before the rule was implemented.

But after its introduction, his free throws per game number dropped to 4.75.

Another fan said Brunson’s move “is not a normal basketball motion should be called more often.”

But some also defended Brunson and said he was trying a legitimate move.

“They banned jumping backwards to initiate contact,” one fan said.

How the NBA Cup works

The NBA Cup returned for a second season this year with the finals once again set to take place in Las Vegas.

The 30 teams were split into six groups of five teams each with games taking place on Tuesdays and Fridays from November 12 to December 3.

The six group winners and two best wild cards advance to a quarterfinals stage on December 10 and 11.

And the final four head to Las Vegas for the semifinals on December 14 and the final on December 17.

All games count towards the team’s regular-season record, apart from the championship game.

“He didn’t jump backwards.

“The Nets defender actually jumped on top of Brunson and he went up when he felt the contact.”

Another wrote, “Nope, the NBA still allows you to stop and jump.

“And if someone fouls you while you’re jumping it’s a foul.

“Because stopping and jumping are natural shooting motions.”