5 Habits That Make Undersized NBA Point Guards UNSTOPPABLE

Jalen Brunson is one of the most deceptive, physical, and skilled guards in the NBA. His ability to change speeds, embrace contact, and get clean shots against bigger players makes him the perfect model for any guard looking to level up. Whether you’re small, big, fast, or not—his habits translate to every level.

Using Physicality to Create Advantages

Brunson doesn’t avoid contact—he initiates it. He uses his frame to carve space and dictate terms. One of the biggest ways he does this is by inverting the offense and posting as a guard using the famous Barkley.

• Barkley dribble-back to move defenders into deep paint positions.
• Uses strength, patience, and footwork to get to his spots.
• Creates jump hooks, step-throughs, fades, and spins right at the rim.

The Barkley slows the tempo and puts the defender at his mercy while keeping your best passer close to the basket—perfect for hitting shooters and cutters.

Becoming a “Hit First” Player

As you climb levels, you learn that there’s contact on every drive. And you’re either the one giving it—or taking it. Brunson excels at what’s called a rake-up move.

• He anticipates a defender’s arm entering his space.
• Violently rips up through the arm, creating contact and often drawing fouls.
• Uses this off one foot and two feet, maintaining great balance.

It’s not flailing for a call—it’s smart, controlled physicality that punishes defenders for reaching.

Craft, Cadence, and Deception

Brunson isn’t a blazing straight-line driver. Instead, he wins with tempo changes, fakes, and footwork.

• Fakes handoffs to turn corners.
• Changes rhythm and pace with his dribble.
• Decelerates on his final step to create space for floaters and runners.

By manipulating the cadence of his right-left steps, he forces defenders to jump early, exposing windows for floaters or layups.

The Villanova Foundation: Mastering Two-Foot Finishing

Brunson’s best skill might be his mastery of playing off two feet. At Villanova, this was drilled daily—and it shows.

• Two feet give him balance to change direction and tempo.
• Allows extra time to step through or pivot around bigger defenders.
• Lets him absorb more contact and finish through it.

He can freeze defenders like Halliburton, plant off two feet, and rise into floaters with perfect control. It’s a dependable, repeatable way to score in tight spaces.

The Paint Pull-Up: A Guard’s Hidden Weapon

When Brunson can’t get all the way to the rim, he’s elite at the paint pull-up. It’s not quite a midrange jumper and not quite a floater—something in between.

• He gets to the middle like a free throw.
• Uses pivots to create windows after physical bumps.
• Consistently knocks it down with efficiency.

This shot keeps defenses honest and punishes bigs who overplay the rim.

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Why Brunson Is “Pound-for-Pound” One of the League’s Best

Brunson has put the league on notice. His handle, physicality, finishing variety, and paint efficiency make him a nightmare for defenders. And his ability to create space without elite athleticism shows exactly how much footwork and timing matter.

If you want to learn how to use your body like him, create advantages like him, and finish like a high-level guard, then you’ll love what you learn at a PGC camp. These are the same habits we teach on the court and in the classroom all summer long.