Expert: Tony Fryer - 6/13/2004

Question
Hi,
What is the reason for the resistance of the American couches about letting their players doing tactical fouls at the last seconds of the games when their teams leads even three points?
It seems very obvious that doing a tactical foul would be an huge adventage by this situation.
Thanks,

Emre Yazman

Answer
Coaches will do what they think is best for their personell/team against the opponents strengths & weaknesses - there is no general rule that applies to every situation, team or coach. I don't believe you can generalize and say all American coaches resist using this tactict.

If you are referring to the NBA finals where the Pistons did not foul Shaq, consider the following:

Not one of the TV announcers said to foul Shaq BEFORE the play happened! Shaq only had the ball for about 2 seconds, so even if the players were told to foul - they might not have been able to!

Finally, consider what Pistons coach Larry Brown said in a post game interview. Yes it's a gamble but... he knows his team is the best defensive team in the league - they only have to guard for a few seconds - he expects/has confidence that they will play good defense and stop the Lakers from scoring. To try and foul would mean the offensive player would shoot a 3 pointer anyway - take the foul and have a chance for a 4 point play - it's happened several times before!

Good Luck!