There are two reasons why Ming fouls: First, he is rookie and needs to adjust Second, every opponent tried hard to diliberally foul him. He is the biggiest target all the time. It is hard even for veteran such as Shaq. Remember in the game with Kings, Shaq was fouled out pretty quickly. If you are a wise coach, you have to design plays to protect your valuable player. I bet if the lakers don't somehow protect Shaq, he will be fouled out pretty often.
shaq protects himself by paying dick bavetta. j/k seriously, shaq protects himself by not playing defense. seriously. and i condone that 100% from the most offensively dominating player in the nba.
I think it has to do with defensive posture or positioning. He plays D like a guard with his hands out to the side or down. If his arms were up more, he would not have to slap at the balls being shot and he would also not get as many reaching fouls.
He fouls because his lateral movement is slow. When players try to drive by him, he is slow in cutting them off, thus he bumps them as soon as they are about to pass him.
Can u imagine the humiliation and embarrasment that Yao will experience on his first meeting with Shaq? ESPN anchors will laugh about it hysterically.
