The guards really need to learn how to protect the big guy. The centers collect fouls like mad as is in this league since the way the rules are called. Guys need to foul, raise their hand. That is why when folks bitch about Bayless getting fouls, I am like "No biggy" I would rather he get fouls than our bigs get fouls.
Could mean the guards aren't doing their job, guarding. Oden gets lots of fouls because he has to play help defense because the guards aren't cutting it defensively. If we had guards that could actually defend, he wouldn't get so many fouls. If Oden wasn't covering our guards asses, there would be lots of uncontested lay-ups rather than the fouls.
The Blazers don't have guards that can defend the perimeter. That's not going to change anytime soon. Oden picks up plenty of silly fouls on his own. If he learns to stop doing that, the occasional foul protecting the rim is not as big of a deal.
I don't wonder about this at all. Obviously he would get more benefit of the doubt. It has always been that way and it will always be that way. Though Laker, Celtic and Knick fans seem to feel differently about it.
I tend to think this is also from aggressiveness on the defensive end. More aggressiveness is going to lead to more fouls...especially when the refs are slanted to favor scoring over defensive big guys. I think Oden needs to learn that he can't make every single play, every time down the court. He is going to need to learn to pick his spots better. I also think Nate's strict 2 foul rule is a step in the right direction to help him learn...or at least I hope so... And the issue of our perimeter D letting men get past is legitimate, but Greg needs to learn how to handle it. Sometimes he just needs to get out of the way in order to keep himself on the court.
I would much rather our bigs make damn sure no one scores in the paint, even if it costs us a foul, then have them score at will down there. Reminds me of Buck Williams, used his fouls wisely. There isn't a problem with getting a ton of fouls being aggressive on the defensive end. It's getting those unnecessary fouls, having to be out of position having to guard the perimeter player on dribble penetration. At least run the defense to make our guards force them to strong side help.
this seems like a slippery slope to bad defense. At what point do you think "oh that guy is coming in too fast for me, I guess I should let him go"
LeBron James. [video=youtube;ysmLA5TqbIY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY[/video]
Oden was dunked on a couple games ago and he was thoroughly beaten and he just backed up and let him have it...that's smart play (on his part), not bad play. It's part of the learning process he's going through. It may not be "manly" but sometimes giving up a play like that is the smart thing to do...granted if you have the fouls to use sometimes it's also appropriate to lay the guy out flat on the court...depends on the situation. I'd rather have Oden give up a layup or dunk here and there and be able to stay on the court for 30 min/game than have perpetual foul trouble. He will have plenty of chances to intimidate when he is in good position to make a play without fouling. [video=youtube;YYoOX9Fd3Fs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYoOX9Fd3Fs[/video]
