NBA foul culture is ruining our youth: A Fastbreak Breakfast report

Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is fouled by Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) during the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) is fouled by Utah Jazz guard George Hill (3) during the third quarter at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Utah Jazz won the game 114-108. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

The practice of baiting defenders and referees to receive free throws in non-basketball plays is a scourge, currently only exceeded in its wrongness by the dastardly practice of tanking. Can you imagine anyone calling the above play a foul in a game at the Y? Who would attempt a rip-through move at the playground? How about jumping in front of a dribbler in the backcourt after he secures a defensive rebound or loose ball and causing a violent collision?

I think Deadspin said it pretty well:

A modest proposal: If you are doing something that would result in you being removed from the email list for your weekly pick-up game, perhaps its inclusion in the NBA should be reevaluated. And this includes the aesthetically abhorrent “Hack-a-player” strategy, which reared it ugly head at the end of Game 4 of the Rockets/Thunder series.

Read More: Petty postgame pressers are stealing the show in the playoffs

As opposed to foul-baiting, which might require a complex rewriting of existing rules, there is a simple solution to ending away from the ball intentional fouling recently suggested by Seerat Sohi (@damiantrillard). Seerat, who has written for Rolling Stone, ESPN, Vice Sports and others, thinks all the fouling has gone too far and joins the latest episode of Fastbreak Breakfast to share her opinions. In addition to critiquing a system that rewards non-basketball plays, the following topics are discussed:

  • Which team’s future will be most impacted by the results of their first round series?
  • Is a break-up best for the Clippers?
  • What are the perfect breakfast burrito ingredients?

All Fastbreak Breakfast episodes are also available for download on iTunes and Soundcloud.

Original music provided by Codaphonic

Interact with Fastbreak Breakfast NBA Podcast

More from Fastbreak Breakfast NBA Podcast

Thanks for listening, supporting, rating, downloading and commenting!