If the opponent with the ball is airborne, can the guard obtain legal position in the opponent's landing spot?

In basketball, legal guarding position is a key concept that helps maintain fair play and safety on the court. When an opponent with the ball is airborne, they have established rights to the space they will land in. A guard attempting to obtain legal position in that landing spot would be interfering with the opponent's rights and could ultimately lead to a foul.

When a defensive player tries to move into the landing area of an airborne opponent, they are not allowing the opponent a fair opportunity to land safely. The rules dictate that players must respect the space of others, particularly when it concerns a player who is in the act of shooting or passing while in the air. Therefore, a guard cannot legally obtain position in the landing area of an opponent who is airborne, making the assertion that it is not allowed accurate.

This ensures that players can perform their actions without the risk of an unfair advantage or injury, which is central to maintaining the integrity of the game.