Fake and Foul? A Cheap Trick That Doesn't Deserve a Call

I couldn't find a good picture what I'm actually talking about, but this is a foul. A real foul.

I gritted my teeth as I watched it last year, and I grounded them into dust when I saw Artest do it in the playoffs. I even hissed at Redick for doing it this season. We see it, and it's starting to get really ugly.

Let's take a trip. You're playing a game of basketball in an amateur league. Your job is to guard someone who isn't too great offensively, but shouldn't be ignored. Your opponent gets the ball in the corner next to the baseline. You have him pinned down, and forcing a turnover is sure to come. He fakes a shot, and you jump to challenge it, only to find yourself in the air by yourself. But you're not. As you look down, you notice he jumps too, except not even close to trying to make a shot. It's enough to hit you in the chest, and as the ball flies in whatever random direction he threw it, a whistle blows. Foul. 3 free throws. Why? Because he bumped into you on purpose?

This is a foul that's starting to pick up a lot of action. I watched Dwayne Wade do this multiple times during the Wednesday night match up between the Heat and the Magic. Shooting at least 7 free throws in the 4th quarter alone, the game became close almost instantly; the cause? The fake-and-foul. I've seen a decent amount of players do it, and it's pretty frustrating, but last night was horrible. It was done multiple times, turning air balls and contested shots into 11 points in free-throws. 11 out of Wades 24 points came from free throws, and most of his 4th quarter points came from those free throws. I know I'm a Magic fan, but I didn't like this just as much as I didn't like Redick doing it, or anyone else.

If it's so easy to tell it's a bad trick, why are referees still calling shooting fouls against the defense? If this trick starts to take a huge turn and gain a big calling,  it will change the way shots are contested. It's actually an offensive foul that causes more harm to the defense than the offense.

The NBA is about games that are played through talent and athleticism, not who can foul out their defenders.