When to Sub Players With Fouls

This is one of those game decisions that every coach has to make. It's vitally important to know the foul situation of each of your players and to make sure that your best players are available when you need them most, late in tight games.

Here's the situation:

You are in a playoff game, win or go home. Only 5 minutes have gone in the first half and your star player, 20+ ppg, has picked up his/her second foul on a blocking foul. What do you do?

My Answer:

This is one of those wide open type situations. There are a variety of answers. Some coaches will switch to a 2-3 zone and have their star player play in the corner. Others will let them play until they 5 minutes to go in the half then sub.

With only 5 minutes gone in the first half, I would probably sub for 5 minutes and bring him/her back halfway through the first (10 minutes). If he/she picks up another foul before half, obviously he/she comes out.

Another question would be 5 minutes into the second half, the star player picks up his/her third foul, what do you do?

Head over to the X's and O's Basketball Forum to discuss.