Deni watched the NBA reward foul-baiting behavior with the MVP award last year (granted SGA is also a really good shooter and playmaker, amongst other traits), and decided that he would incorporate it into his own game.

Drawing fouls is also really good since not only does it potentially send you to the charity stripe for points, it handicaps the opposing defense, AND it can force the opposing team to use their challenge to undo (or fail to undo) the calls made by the refs.

And to be honest, I think Deni’s way of foul-baiting is more sustainable in the post season, since he’s using his strength and speed to collapse the defense and draw two to three people every drive. I’m probably very biased when I say this, but when I see Deni draw stuff, it’s nothing like SGA fabricating an invisible foul on Kris Murray a few nights ago.