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

[ProfessaPackMan]

Rather make a separate thread instead of cluttering up the playoff discussion thread.

But yeah, do you have a problem with it or are you fine with it the way it is since no rules are being broken? Adam Silver has come out and said the league could have some discussions about it but really, how much could be done to eliminate it altogether?

Discuss

[fluent2332]

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

The strategy is fine. The rules are fine. Players should learn to make their free throws, preferably from an early age.

The "issue" here moreso shows a lack of proper training for young basketball players. I was the tallest guy on the court growing up, but I was taught how to shoot free throws at an early age, so I made most of them.

I think some guys rely too much on athleticism and don't learn the proper fundamentals growing up. That is a breakdown in the system, not the rules. IMO, of course.

[Steven78]

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

No problem with it. If you're a professional basketball player make a damn free throw my god.

[dsallupinyaarea]

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

It's simple for me.

I watch basketball to be entertained. I don't find the loophole entertaining, therefore I want it changed. It's hard on the eyes and it's presents a bad product.

I understand the virtue of "A guy should learn how to hit a FT" and I agree. But I'm here to be entertained and that **** makes me turn the channel.

[mestevo]

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

Stuff like this is why I don't watch basketball unless it's an elimination game late in the playoffs for the most part.

There any thoughts about how they might fix it? Just make the penalties for late fouls escalate exponentially?

[King_B_Mack]

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

Leave it alone and let these dudes learn how to make a ****ing free throw. It's a damn free shot. Dudes like Dwight and DeAndre have literally made it possible where I can legit say that I could shoot a better free throw percentage for the season than them.

[mestevo]

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

Leave it alone and let these dudes learn how to make a ****ing free throw. It's a damn free shot. Dudes like Dwight and DeAndre have literally made it possible where I can legit say that I could shoot a better free throw percentage for the season than them.

So would it be effectively eliminated if the shooting team could put whomever they want at the line?

Or would it have to be that + possession if inside the last x minutes?

[King_B_Mack]

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

Son would it be effectively eliminated if the shooting team could put whomever they want at the line?

Or would it have to be that + possession if inside the last x minutes?

If they could pick whomever to shoot it would definitely eliminate it. I don't think it needs to be eliminated though. Guys just need to learn how to make their free throws.

[702]

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

I get both sides of the discussion, but I personally lean to the "it's part of the game make your free throws" side of things.

As far as entertainment goes, the constant timeouts and stoppages at the end of games is a bigger issue to me.

[Streets]

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

It's simple for me.

I watch basketball to be entertained. I don't find the loophole entertaining, therefore I want it changed. It's hard on eyes and it's presents a bad product.

I understand the virtue of "A guy should learn how to hit a FT" and I agree. But I'm here to be entertained and that **** makes me turn the channel.

First of all, it's not a loophole. It's a perfectly viable strategy for getting teams back into games, controlling pace, taking crowds out of it, being able to get your defense set, stop the clock, etc.

IF they change it, it will be because it creates a boring product on the court, especially for the casual fan (their target demographic- one that's less likely to be represented on this site). And that I understand. The NBA is a brand of entertainment first and foremost and it wouldn't be the first time rules were changed to create a more exciting product. If the Clips and Rox advanced does anyone want to see a game decided by a Dwight vs. DeAndre free throw contest? Okay, I would, but the casual fan wouldn't.

Saying "everyone should just be good at free throws" is not really a viable solution. There will always be players that for whatever reason don't learn, practice, get better, etc. and the entertainment value of the game suffers with the current rules. The crowd dies, momentum dies, the game drags, and it's less exciting. So I guess I see both sides.

There's nothing wrong with the strategy, but I understand why they'd look at removing it.

And before someone says changing the rules would reinforce poor free throw shooting, I disagree. Dwight and DeAndre get wrapped up under the hoop plenty and hurt themselves and their team all the time. Removing "hack-a" from the sport doesn't change that.

[23]

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

Good topic and I like viewpoints from both sides.

They'll probably just add a penalty for fouling off the ball continually... something for multiple violations.

Can't wait to see how this turns out.

[ojandpizza]

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

I wouldn't be against like a 5 foul limit per quarter or something. Just so it doesn't grow more than it has


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[Basketball GURU]

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

I have no issue with using this "strategy" down the stretch in close games but I would rather not see it in the first quarter of games, doesn't really bother me though

[The 24th Letter]

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

I wouldn't be against like a 5 foul limit per quarter or something. Just so it doesn't grow more than it has


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I wouldn't totally be against a numbered limit either as a compromise....

I guess it just bothers me that the change would be purely motivated by entertainment.....because let's face it, your 'penalty' for this is two undefended shots at the basket...it's not like there is an unfair advantage being given...

[ThreeKing]

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

From a coaches standpoint, I like it and understand it- from a fans' standpoint, I absolutely despise it.