Quote:
Originally posted by JRutledge
Perimeter players like Michael Jordan or Allen Iverson are not going to foul out. They do not block shots and they are not the last line of defense in or around the basket. If you look at who fouls out the most, these are Centers and Power Forwards that consistently lead the league.
Does it ever occur to people that stars do not foul or get fouled because they make better decisions? MJ used to constantly attack the basket. Scottie Pippen used to attack the basket. Who else on those Bulls teams constantly attacked the basket?
Peace [/B]
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I agree that the Centers and Power Forwards are in a position to foul out more often than other players. Also, star playes do make better decisions, generally speaking. But thats not why Shaquille doesn't foul out more often than he does. Its the all mighty dollar. The fans want to see Shaquille play. If Shaq played HS ball the way he plays in the NBA he'd foul out in the first period. He constantly drops his shoulder to knock the defender off the block.
You mentioned Michael Jordan. Do you remember game 6 against the Utah Jazz in the championship several years ago? Utah is up by 1, if I remember correctly. Michael is being guarded by Bryant Russell. He clearly pushes off and drains the game winning jumper. In NCAA and HS that would have been a foul. No basket, going the other way. But not in the NBA because it is Michael Jordan. Don't get me wrong. I believe he was the best to play the game in his era. And as a person I think Michael is a stand-up guy. I just know that the stars get preferential treatment because they put fans in the seats and money in peoples pockets.
I also agree with you that the officials call it the way they do because they are told to. They are doing there job. They don't make up their own calls. If they did, they wouldn't be in the NBA for very long. Nor would I, if I every made it, which I won't, because I would call that foul on Shaq or Michael. I only wish the NBA would go back to calling the game the way the current rule book indicates. I'm sure the rules don't allow for Shaq's lowering his shoulder to make room on the baseline.
[Edited by rwest on May 5th, 2005 at 01:48 PM]