How to Play in the Post Like Jalen Brunson
Brunson believes all players should learn post moves.
The New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, 6-2, is one of the shortest players in the NBA.
However, he is one of the best scorers in the post in the league.
For example, there was a series of plays in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2025 where Brunson went on a barrage in the paint.
At about the 2:40 mark of the third quarter, he posted up a taller Derrick White on the block and, looking like Kobe, finished the play with a fadeaway.
Then, at about the 1:13 mark, he drove into the paint but was cut off by White. So, he posted his defender up again, shimmied like Jordan, and finished the play with a sweet fadeaway.
Brunson does these kinds of plays all the time.
He’s constantly attacking the basket, getting cut off, and then having to resort to his footwork to find open looks at the rim.
As a result, he averaged 26.4 points a game over the past 3 seasons (from 2022-25).
Playing this way has been effective for Brunson, and he believes all players, regardless of their position, should learn how to play in the post because, as he told Monica McNutt on Reel Meal, learning post moves will help players develop footwork.
“One thing basketball players should really learn no matter what position you play is post work because that's where the footwork comes from… So when you're driving the basketball, good defenders are gonna cut you off, you’re not gonna be able to get to the rim all the time. So, do you just stop and throw some whatever [shot] on the rim, or do you take your time and figure out, ‘How can I maneuver myself to get a good quality shot’ —maybe defended, but it's gonna be quality, it’s gonna be on balance and you're gonna act like you've been there before.”
Brunson recommends players learn and work on moves such as pump fakes, step-throughs, and moves off of two feet because it’ll help them with their touch around the rim.
He also added that he remembers working on his post moves when he was younger, but did not realize how much he would rely on them later on.
This, he said, has helped him counter defences without having to think about it; he just reacts to whatever is being thrown at him now.
“I’m at that point where I just want to react. I don’t want to think, ‘All right, I’m going to do this, this, and this, and hope this happens’. I want to find a way to get to that spot or downhill, and if you cut me off, I got something for you because I’ve worked on it. So, I’m never really kind of going into things, or I try not to go into things like premeditating what I’m going to do. I kind of just use my instinct on the things I’ve worked on all my life.”
So, this is how you develop Brunson’s immaculate footwork and post-play.
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