Who comes to mind when you think of foul grifters – the guys that bend the NBA rulebook to their advantage by drawing fouls through unnatural movements? James Harden and his hooking of the defender’s arms? Jalen Brunson and Trae Young, with their ability to stop short in front of the defense, essentially causing defenders to commit rear-end collisions? Or maybe Joel Embiid, who throws his body into opposing players and somehow ends up on the ground during seemingly 50% of offensive possessions? All of these answers make sense.
But, don’t forget about the 7-foot-2 Latvian man on the Boston Celtics whose under-the-radar foul baiting technique has propelled his post-up game into one of the league’s most efficient plays.