Go read this article over on Deadspin and then come back. Done? Hookay. There seems to be strategic trend in the direction of full-tackle basketball. The hack-a-center/forward is a statistical safe bet. Foul the big guy on the easy layup or dunk and watch em brick the FTs. Defenders famously make an artform of fouling Shaq, exploiting his ~50% from the line (and of course, hack-a-Haywood is about as sure a bet as any). However, maybe my memory lasts only a season but the fouls seem to be getting harder and harder. A hard foul is one thing, but seriously, its getting ridiculous. Last night, at the -avs game, Julie and I watched Ryan Hollins take Tyson Chandler to the ground in full on headlock. Not an "oops I was going for the arm but got wrapped up" headlock, but more of a "you're going down/prison yard brawl" kind of headlock.
I don't want to sound like I don't think that basketball is a physical game. And I certainly don't want to advocate for NFLesque penalties to safeguard players. But the Flagrant Foul 1 and 2 already exist in the rules. Unnecessary (flagarant 1) and unnecessary and excessive (2) certainly cover many of the Griffin fouls on the Deadspin video, as well as the Chandler/Hollins headlock. I am all for trying to play the odds on a poor free throw shooter, or trying to prevent the momentum gain from a monster dunk or fast break layup, but if you can't stop it with a "reasonable" foul, then you might need to hit the weight room to beef up. Either that or don't get burned on the fast break. Resorting to flagrant fouls is like throwing a temper tantrum under the basket. The last thing we need is for players to get seriously hurt because some flat footed defender couldn't pick up the screen and resorted to a flying tackle to prevent two points. What do ya'll think, let 'em play or start giving out the fouls?
