"If you're dumb enough to keep going for it, I'mma keep doing it" - Stephen Jackson says defenders need to hold themselves accountable for biting on SGA/Doncic fakes - RAW CHILI

As the game has evolved, so have the strategies of the game’s most lethal scorers. And over the last few seasons, nobody has become more adept at tallying easy points from the free-throw line than the league’s back-to-back MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and this season’s scoring champion, Luka Doncic.

And while fans, the media, and even their fellow players are up in arms at how these two All-Stars have become so adept at embellishing contact and selling foul calls, former NBA champion Stephen Jackson defended them and placed the onus on defenders to improve their defensive skills.

Free-throw merchants

This season, Luka led the league in free-throw attempts, shooting 10.1 per game. Meanwhile, SGA attempted 9.0 free throws per game. All told, these players earn a lot of points with no defense bothering them. And while complaints about their flopping and foul-baiting have some merit, Stak argued that NBA referees won’t make foul calls unless they see an infraction committed by the defense.

“I think with Shai and Luka, if it’s not a foul or flop, why is the referee calling it? That’s how I look at it,” the one-time NBA champion contended.

Instead of constantly whining and blaming the referees for seemingly bailing out SGA and Luka on every other offensive possession, Jackson said today’s generation of defenders must also level up their defensive acumen and stop falling for the traps these superstars set.

“You got to be a better defender. You can’t make those mistakes,” Stak explained. “If you know he likes to pump fake, if you know he shoots and leans back, don’t… One thing Pop told us is you don’t foul shooters. If they make it, good shot. But a good contest, you know, good shot.”

“But you don’t foul shooters because if they can make those shots, they’re damn sure making the free throws,” he added.

Become smarter defenders

SGA and Luka have become near-unstoppable scorers because they have put in the work to perfect their craft. They’ve watched film on how defenders play them and have developed counter after counter to every defensive scheme and maneuver that teams and players employ.

That said, Stak said defenders must also study how SGA and Luka play and develop effective strategies to contest their shots without committing fouls.

“I think defenders got to be smarter. Yeah. They selling it. Sometimes it might not be a foul. It might be a whole bunch of acting, but that’s IQ. That’s basketball IQ. If I’m smart enough to drive and make a move, knowing you’re going to go for it and get a little nudge and get a foul, I’m going to do that,” Jackson surmised.

“That’s smart on the offense’s part because he’s making the game easy. And if you’re dumb enough to keep going for it, I’mma keep doing it. So, I don’t blame Shai. I don’t blame Luka for baiting these guys into fouls,” he emphasized.

Truth be told, NBA players have a lot of free time on their hands. And it all boils down to what they choose to do during those lulls in between games. They could go to clubs or buckle down and watch film to become the best defensive players they could be.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Jun 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

“If you’re dumb enough to keep going for it, I’mma keep doing it” – Stephen Jackson says defenders need to hold themselves accountable for biting on SGA/Doncic fakes