Austin Reaves has never been one to shy away from a tough conversation, and when it comes to drawing fouls, he's refreshingly honest. As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to face the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs, all eyes are on a fascinating matchup between two of the league's most skilled foul-drawers: Reaves and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

The Lakers just wrapped up a hard-fought first-round series against the Houston Rockets, winning in six games. Reaves stepped up in a big way down the stretch, providing the offensive spark the team desperately needed. Now, they face an even tougher test against SGA and the Thunder.

Drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line has always been a part of basketball greatness. Legends like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan built significant portions of their scoring around free throws. But in today's game, the art of drawing contact has become a polarizing topic among fans and analysts alike.

"I know that's a tough topic to talk about because everybody blows it out of proportion," Reaves said after a Lakers practice ahead of the series. "He wants to win and is gonna do whatever it takes to win. If it's shoot 20 free throws, so be it. If I shoot 20 free throws, I'd be happy. I don't think there are any bad intentions with trying to get to the line."

Reaves makes a great point. Both he and Gilgeous-Alexander are simply doing what it takes to help their teams win games. Whether you love it or hate it, getting to the charity stripe is a legitimate skill—one that can swing playoff series and often separates good players from great ones.

For the Lakers to have a chance against the Thunder, Reaves will need to continue being aggressive and using his craftiness to draw fouls. And for fans watching at home, this series offers a masterclass in how two of the NBA's best use every tool in their arsenal to gain an edge.