Viewers say that this era of NBA basketball has gotten out of hand. As of May 2026, Shai Gilgeous–Alexander is the back–to–back MVP, Clutch Player of the Year and 2025 Finals MVP and champion. Despite all of these accolades, SGA is one of the most hated and despised players in the NBA due to his style of play, which many call “foul baiting.”
Foul–baiting is intentionally trying to draw contact or a foul while shooting to earn free throws and has been a hot topic of discussion throughout the past years. Viewers complain that it has degraded the game of basketball, making it less fun to watch, arguing that the act of exaggerating a motion or a touch also flopping is tiresome and makes basketball too “soft.” But this rhetoric is tiring, as this era of foul baiting is not something to be ashamed of, but something that truly shows how good offensive players have become. The foul–baiting tactic is just part of the advancing game, not something that is bad.
Despite complaints about how many free throws players shoot and how this makes the game soft, free throws are at a historic low according to many NBA statistic sites. This is because of the emergence of the three–point era, where since 2016, players have been shooting three–point shots at an all–time high. Because of this, there is much less contact between players, resulting in fewer foul shots.
The possibility of a three–pointer, a shot with less contact ;has created less of a need for the two–point shot, as those who can’t shoot often fail today in the NBA. But with the NBA tightening up on fouls and calling more things as fouls, it allows for new forms of play to emerge that are more physical and creative, as players can now be rewarded for driving to the rim. It is the referees calling these fouls, especially in favor of star players, that allows someone like SGA to dominate.
The NBA has also had players play for a longer time, and a lot of the reason for this is due to the calling of fouls. The NBA has gotten less physical over the years, and there has been less damage to these players, allowing for LeBron James to play for 23 seasons.
Despite other NBA players’ complaints, the NBA itself still has only called around 100 flopping fouls since 2012, according to foxnews.com. This demonstrates how the NBA doesn’t believe this play creates harm alternatively, they know it is better for players’ health and shows how foul batting is skillful since it is not something everyone can do.
“I just don’t foul bait,” Celtics star player, Jaylen Brown told usatoday.com after Boston’s 104–102 loss. “I’m not looking to flop or anything like that, but it’s almost like you got to. Because there were a couple of plays in the fourth quarter where I felt like I drove strong, went up strong, and I didn’t get the benefit of the doubt. But maybe if I had flopped, maybe I would have been able to sell those calls. And those decide games.”
Despite complaints about foul play. It is clear to see free throws are at an all–time low. This style of play is just a continuation of the changing game.
