Really annoying indeed.
I know as PF leader in BBBL in s56 and 57 it can lose you any game at any time. I don't know if this is me speculating or a game mechanic, but after 4 or 5 fouls, players seems to "go easier" to not foul out, but also defend worse as a consequence.
I won't be leading in PFs this year, but with Seminck, that would've been a different story =)