Tyrese Haliburton says NBA players are taught how to flop

The NBA’s ongoing flopping debate isn’t going away anytime soon.

And according to Tyrese Haliburton, learning how to draw fouls is simply part of modern basketball development now.

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Haliburton addressed the growing conversation surrounding players exaggerating contact — particularly criticism often directed toward Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Gilgeous-Alexander has become one of the NBA’s biggest stars while also drawing complaints from some fans who believe he benefits from too many foul calls.

Haliburton, however, suggested the practice is hardly unique to one player.

“Yeah, for sure it’s being taught,” Haliburton said. “I don’t think it’s as much head coach teaching as much as it is like player development, even before you get to the NBA.”

Haliburton explained that elite scorers have always searched for ways to create contact and generate free throws because getting to the foul line remains one of basketball’s most efficient scoring methods.

“The best scorers are usually the guys who get to the free-throw line the most,” he said. “It’s definitely something they work on.”

According to Haliburton, players even practice foul-drawing techniques during pickup games and offseason workouts.

“I think that’s a part of the game,” he added.

Whether fans enjoy watching it is probably an entirely different discussion.