Brunson Leads NBA in Charges Drawn
Jalen Brunson has emerged as a defensive stalwart for the New York Knicks, leading the NBA with 16 charges drawn and holding opponents to just 39.7% shooting when he's the closest defender. The Knicks have climbed from being a bottom-10 defense to nearly cracking the league's top 10, with Brunson's transformation central to their recent 8-2 run after a 9-out-of-11 game losing streak. His active, intelligent defensive play has redefined his role beyond his 8,000 career points in 300 games.
- The Knicks' defensive resurgence coincided with tactical changes from the coaching staff, including new defensive coordinator Brendan O'Connor. During a recent winning streak, the team's defensive rating was a league-best 95.9, a significant improvement from their 113.2 season average which ranked 13th in the league. - Before their defensive turnaround in late January, the Knicks had the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA since New Year's Eve (121.3) and ranked 26th in defensive efficiency during a 2-9 stretch. The coaches, including assistant Darren Erman, implemented a schematic shift to funnel ball handlers toward the sidelines instead of the middle of the floor. - While the card notes 16 charges drawn, other 2023-24 season counts show Brunson with as many as 23. His primary competitors for the league lead in this category have been Golden State's Brandin Podziemski and Dallas's Tim Hardaway Jr. - This season is not an anomaly; Brunson has been the NBA's leader in forcing offensive fouls for years. Including his final season with the Dallas Mavericks, Brunson drew 78 charges over the last three seasons, more than any other player in that span. - Beyond drawing charges, advanced metrics show Brunson excels in specific defensive situations. He has ranked in the 99.7th percentile in isolation defense and the 77.7th percentile defending the pick-and-roll ball handler. - The team's improved defense has focused on contesting shots more effectively. During their winning streak, 42% of opponents' field goal attempts were under tight coverage (a defender within 2-4 feet), the second-best mark in the NBA, up from 18th on the season.
