NBA is catching on to Stephon Castle's dirty little secret at worst-possible time

The San Antonio Spurs have a 3-2 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves, but their work is far from over. They still have to close out a physical team with plenty of playoff experience.

To do so, they'll need the help of Stephon Castle. He has mostly had a great series, though he has also had some issues too.

Namely, his tendency to get into foul trouble. In the first five games of the series, he's averaging 4.5 fouls in just 30.6 minutes per game. He is also the only player to have fouled out this series.

Him staying in foul trouble is partly to be expected with him being tasked with guarding the other team's best player. However, several of his fouls have come on the offensive end, highlighting a growing problem.

Stephon Castle must change his approach to stay on the floor

Virtually whenever Castle drives to the basket, he extends his off arm and usually hooks it under his defender's arm. That helps him beat his defender when he attacks the basket off the dribble but is also a textbook offensive foul.

It appears that NBA referees have gotten wise to his tactics and have become more vigilant whenever he does it. He was called for an offensive foul in Game 4 and another in Game 5 for hooking his defender.

Two fouls in two games—big deal, right? Well, with most of his fouls coming on the defensive end, he can't afford to pick up offensive fouls that are so blatant.

Stephon Castle must avoid picking up cheap offensive fouls

Worse yet, he does it pretty much whenever he attacks the basket. Spurs fans know that is almost any time Castle has the ball on offense.

It's likely a habit for him at this point, but it's one he must break. If referees are looking for it, he could be chained to the bench with foul trouble for the remainder of this series and possibly the Western Conference Finals.

Therefore, he must do a better job of avoiding ticky-tack fouls on defense and hooking opponents on offense to stay out of foul trouble. Otherwise, he may be watching key moments of the playoffs from the bench. The Spurs would be far worse off if that continues to happen.

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