Comments on: Hack-a-Shaq: Legit strategy or insulting to basketball?

By: Jolson

Jolson — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:10:42 +0000

I’ve read numerous reports indicating that indeed, Shaq HAS tried to get better over the years at free throws. Does his pride get in the way sometimes? Sure, like when someone (I think it was Rick Berry?) wanted to teach him to shoot underhanded and Shaq wanted nothing to do with it. But even so it’s not like Shaq just never shot free throws in his career in an attempt to get better.

And I think it’s unfair to say that it’s like double-teaming in the paint or pressing a ball handler, because at least then the ball is IN PLAY. How much skill does it take to foul a guy away from the ball who’s trying to post up just to put him on the free throw line? I think that if the foul is away from the ball the offensive team should get to pick their free throw shooter from the players on the floor. That would remove Hack-a-Shaq pretty much. I’d rather teams win basketball games by PLAYING BASKETBALL, not by sending people to the free throw line and taking advantage.

By: Austin Burton

Austin Burton — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:25:59 +0000

In that case, fouling at the end of the game would be ruled intentional (because that’s what it is) and teams wouldn’t be able to try and foul to stop the clock.

By: byron

byron — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:32:31 +0000

It is a disgrace to the game of basketball. I understand that a guy should be able to make freethrows, but don’t punish all the fans of the game (the reason for the league in the first place) for that. If it is an intentional foul or wrap-up, treat it like they do in the Olympics (in FIBA), and call it like it is (an intentional foul) where you get 2 shots and the ball.

By: K Dizzle

K Dizzle — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 19:50:36 +0000

Why everybody keep talkin about Shaq? He ain’t the only one who can’t shoot free throws. Every team got a dude who can’t make em.

““Hack-A-Shaq” keeps the league honest. Employed enough, teams think twice about acquiring a monster player who can’t hit the broad side of a barn with his free throw.”

So what you sayin is that teams would think twice about draftin a Shaq, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Ben Wallace etc cuz they can’t make free throws?

Doubt it…

By: dukesman2000

dukesman2000 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:42:54 +0000

If I was a coach I would definitely use that strategy, it is smart basketball. I dont think it is an insult to the sport, I think it is an insult to Shaq. Leanr to shoot free throws

By: Ansonious

Ansonious — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:30:34 +0000

We shall see who laughs last!

By: Celts Fan

Celts Fan — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:57:37 +0000

was a nice defender but got nabbed doing 95 in a 30 in Waltham (wreckless driving arrest,) and it was just so dumb and unnecessary, Wyc let him go to prove a point that we wouldn’t stand for ANYTHING. I think he was on the Pacers last year, beyond that, no clue. You’re right though, I kinda liked his game as a backup point that can defend and had an okay mid-range game (and the self-awareness that it was only okay.)

By: SparkyJ23

SparkyJ23 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 13:41:07 +0000

There’s one easy way to rid the basketball world of Hack-a-Shaq once and for all:

MAKE YOUR FREE THROWS.

THIS

By: iain.

iain. — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:43:49 +0000

@CeltsFan:

Man Orien Greene had game, what happened to him?

By: Luke

Luke — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 07:01:04 +0000

EXCELLENT point, I’ve thought the same thing for ages and can’t believe how bad some of these guys are, I mean I know plenty of rec league players who hit 60-70% and these guys aren’t getting paid millions. Seriously how hard can it be?

Although it could be a psychological problem for some of them, because I just can’t believe they don’t practice it at least a little, I remember reading that Bruce Bowen makes 80% in practice and he shoots it better from 3 than the stripe!