Delaying the whistle question

[assignmentmaker]

Originally posted by Snaqwells
How is it penalizing the defense? If the contact doesn't create an advantage, how is it a foul? Because the defense doesn't want to give up an easy layup? I don't think it penalizes defense. I think it's prevents rewarding poor defense.

It's not poor defense to decide to foul. It uses up a resource, the number of fouls available per player, the number of fouls available to a team before various shooting penalties kick in. It's less than optimal to foul with less than the best shot at the steal, but - in some cases - it's a good choice.