Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

[SteelersFreak]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

Why do the rules change for the last 2 minutes if this strategy is a natural part of the game? Why is something good for 10 minutes of a quarter and not for the last 2? If you're on the "don't change it" side, did you oppose the rule change for the last 2 minutes?

Yeah there was quite a bit of push back on that too.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

I don't think anybody has ever done it after the two minute mark.

It happens, but it's usually in cases when "We" know the game is over, but the other team is still competing to get the win.

For example, let's say the Bulls are up 9 on the Nets with a minute to go and the Nets have no TOs left.

Or if the Bulls are up 15 on the Nets with a minute and some change left and they have no TOs left so they start fouling Noah and then take their chances with him hitting their FTs but he's having an off night.

Really, all of this depends on the context and situation that's going on.

[jeebs9]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

I think the problem really for me is watching them play the peek-a-boo game. Watching players on court running away from defenders so they don't get fouled. It looks stupid and kind of childishness. That's what happen to Wilt.

And most coaches usually do the Hack-a- to take a team out of it rhythm. I'm on the fench about the whole thing. Because the stats say it doesn't work in the teams favor. But I guess I hate watching foul after foul. It's not actually basketball in my opinion. It's like watching soccer when they go to PK's after 2 OT's. That's changing the game in my opinion. But in basketball FT's are part of the game.

[jeebs9]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

Has a team ever been penalized for doing the "Hack a" under two minutes? Seems like its loosely enforced..

I've seen it happen before.

[dsallupinyaarea]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

Yeah there was quite a bit of push back on that too.

Has changing it for the last 2 minutes significantly hurt the integrity of the game? Is it a bad thing that the last 2 minutes of a game aren't grinded to a halt because of this strategy? (yes, i know it's grinded to a halt for different reasons now but this reason was eliminated).

[zasbury25]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

I've seen it happen before.

If I am not mistaken, it just happened in the GSW-NO series. I think in Game 3 in OT Klay got called for it...Pels got one shot and ball out of bounds. It didn't look intentional, but the penalty is the same regardless of the intent.

[jeebs9]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

If I am not mistaken, it just happened in the GSW-NO series. I think in Game 3 in OT Klay got called for it...Pels got one shot and ball out of bounds. It didn't look intentional, but the penalty is the same regardless of the intent.

Exactly.... It does happen. And when it does it usually on inbound plays. Or last time I saw it happen I think the player didn't know what time was on the clock and then fouled.

[SteelersFreak]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

Has changing it for the last 2 minutes significantly hurt the integrity of the game? Is it a bad thing that the last 2 minutes of a game aren't grinded to a halt because of this strategy? (yes, i know it's grinded to a halt for different reasons now but this reason was eliminated).

It hasn't because teams are still allowed to use the strategy. Completely removing the strategy would be a shame because you're basically just telling players that free throw shooting isn't important for every player.

Its also way overstated how often its used.

[dsallupinyaarea]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

It hasn't because teams are still allowed to use the strategy. Completely removing the strategy would be a shame because you're basically just telling players that free throw shooting isn't important for every player.

Its also way overstated how often its used.

How is it telling players that free throw shooting isn't important? Fouls on actual basketball plays would still be called, normally.......

If the worst FT shooter on the floor gets the ball in the post, foul him all you want. Fouling him 30 feet away from the ball, doing something that doesn't resemble anything basketball related doesn't sit right with me.

[Streets]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

How is it telling players that free throw shooting isn't important? Fouls on actual basketball plays would still be called, normally.......

If the worst FT shooter on the floor gets the ball in the post, foul him all you want. Fouling him 30 feet away from the ball, doing something that doesn't resemble anything basketball related doesn't sit right with me.

I love this post. I was about to post the same exact thing.

People who say it "rewards" bad free throw shooting act like there is zero benefit to a big man practicing his freethrows. Like they don't get to line playing actual basketball. Like if this rule gets changed, all of a sudden PE teachers and grade school coaches all across the land will determine that free throw shooting is meaningless and no one will have incentive to get better.

Spoiler alert: The current rules have been in place for bigs like Shaq, DeAndre, and Dwight. They have been given plenty of reasons to get better at free throw shooting... none have. The rule has done very little to help them. Free throw shooting will still be a valuable skill whether the hack-a-dummy rules are in place or not. So, this oft-spouted argument shouldn't be used.

As far as the integrity of the game is concerned, it depends on what one means by that statement. Is basketball no longer basketball in the final two minutes? If I play a pickup game to 20, is the integrity ruined? I think as long as you have a peach basket and a ball, the integrity is fine.

There are rules in place now. There are strategies in place now. One rule allows for an arguably boring strategy that may not be appealing to many fans who by in large like the overall product. If they change it, there will be new rules (as well as old), new strategies (as well as old) that may be more appealing to fans watching the product. Players and fans will adjust. But...

1. Free throw shooting will still be important.
2. The game will not lose strategy/ strategy will still be important.
3. Players who see the value of free points and think it's worth it will put the work in. Others won't (just like now).

[jeebs9]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

Thank you for a wonderful breakdown!!

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

Didn't really breakdown anything or say what hasn't been said before though...

[jeebs9]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

Didn't really breakdown anything or say what hasn't been said before though...

Sorry...kind of new to the thread.

[redsox4evur]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

My way to solve this. Number of foul shots from the spot where the guy is standing plus the ball afterwards. So if say the Clippers line up Deandre Jordan behind the 3 pt and he is hack a shaq'd the Clippers get 3 shots and if he is in the paint 2 shots. Also you (team getting fouled) gets to pick any shooter from your team. Doesn't matter if they are on the court or not. Also if a certain player picks up 2 hack a shaq fouls that is considered being fouled out of the game no matter if they 0 zero personal fouls or 4. 2 "hack a shaqs" and you're gone. The only problem would be bringing on a scrub to "hack a shaq" a guy twice. But a way around this could be if you intentionally bring a guy that hasn't played any minutes for a couple of games and he commits a hack a shaq the guy he came on for and the sub get the 1 hack towards their total of 2. And if the sub commits another one they are both ejected. Something definitely different and crazy with ejections for 2 and with the sub idea coaches would be hesitant of using this strategy.

[DIESEL]

Re: Let's Talk About The "Hack-a-Shaq" Strategy

Has changing it for the last 2 minutes significantly hurt the integrity of the game? Is it a bad thing that the last 2 minutes of a game aren't grinded to a halt because of this strategy? (yes, i know it's grinded to a halt for different reasons now but this reason was eliminated).

I wouldn't say the 2 minute rule has hurt the integrity of the game, but I don't like that either. It's a cop out for coaches. Instead of a coach weighing the risk/reward of having a poor foul shooter on the floor the decision is made for them.

I don't enjoy watching hack- a " " either but the idea of changing rules because a handful of people are totally incompetent at their profession bothers me more.