Greg Popovich is probably the best coach currently coaching in the NBA and is one of the greatest coaches of all time. What he's been able to do with the players he's had is nothing short of amazing. I know Tim Duncan and David Robinson are two great players and their success isn't all that surprising, but what about Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili? Neither one were high draft picks coming into the NBA. As a matter of fact, Ginobili was a 2nd round pick. So what Coach Pop has been able to do with them is amazing. Having said that, though, I curse the day Coach Pop came up with 'Hack a Shaq'.
In all honesty, Pop deserves recognition for being smart enough and having the balls to employ such a tactic. For those that don't know what 'Hack a Shaq' is allow me to explain. 'Hack a Shaq' is the act of fouling a poor free throw shooter in the hopes of sending them to the line and them not being able to convert and score points. What its used for is to take the opponent out of their offensive rhythm by slowing down the game and not letting them get going on the offensive end. It's called 'Hack a Shaq' because Shaq was the first player the technique was used on and its perfectly legal within the rules of the NBA to do this. That is until the last 2 minutes of the game where it is illegal to foul someone off the ball. It's horrible to watch. It slows the game down to a crawl and it just sucks all of the fun out of the contest.
It's gotten so bad that Pop isn't the only one to use it. Now coaches are doing to any and every poor free throw shooter. I literally dread watching the Clippers play the Rockets or the Rockets play the Pistons (like last night) or any of them playing the Spurs. It's just ugly to watch. Also, its become so much apart of the game now that in close games, coaches have found ways to foul the poor free throw shooters after the 2 min mark. For example, now coaches have their players foul the poor free throw shooters while they're going for a rebound or setting a screen because in those situations the players are considered apart of the play. It's just getting out of hand. I know some people are going to come on here and say "learn how to shoot free throws" and it is that simple, but some players just aren't good shooters. Especially the bigger players. For them, the problem with shooting comes from the fact that they don't do it often and from biology. Some of those players hands are just too big for them to be able to shoot properly. Have you ever tried to shoot a smaller than average basketball or a nerf ball? That's what it's like for them.
Having said all of that though, I still don't think the league should ban 'Hack a Shaq' from the rules. I like the aspect of coaches being able to take advantage of another teams weaknesses and the league can't ban it just to protect a few players. Even though it is God awful to watch.
What do you guys think? You don't have a problem with 'Hack a Shaq' or do you? Let me know your opinions on 'Hack a Shaq'.
In all honesty, Pop deserves recognition for being smart enough and having the balls to employ such a tactic. For those that don't know what 'Hack a Shaq' is allow me to explain. 'Hack a Shaq' is the act of fouling a poor free throw shooter in the hopes of sending them to the line and them not being able to convert and score points. What its used for is to take the opponent out of their offensive rhythm by slowing down the game and not letting them get going on the offensive end. It's called 'Hack a Shaq' because Shaq was the first player the technique was used on and its perfectly legal within the rules of the NBA to do this. That is until the last 2 minutes of the game where it is illegal to foul someone off the ball. It's horrible to watch. It slows the game down to a crawl and it just sucks all of the fun out of the contest.
It's gotten so bad that Pop isn't the only one to use it. Now coaches are doing to any and every poor free throw shooter. I literally dread watching the Clippers play the Rockets or the Rockets play the Pistons (like last night) or any of them playing the Spurs. It's just ugly to watch. Also, its become so much apart of the game now that in close games, coaches have found ways to foul the poor free throw shooters after the 2 min mark. For example, now coaches have their players foul the poor free throw shooters while they're going for a rebound or setting a screen because in those situations the players are considered apart of the play. It's just getting out of hand. I know some people are going to come on here and say "learn how to shoot free throws" and it is that simple, but some players just aren't good shooters. Especially the bigger players. For them, the problem with shooting comes from the fact that they don't do it often and from biology. Some of those players hands are just too big for them to be able to shoot properly. Have you ever tried to shoot a smaller than average basketball or a nerf ball? That's what it's like for them.
Having said all of that though, I still don't think the league should ban 'Hack a Shaq' from the rules. I like the aspect of coaches being able to take advantage of another teams weaknesses and the league can't ban it just to protect a few players. Even though it is God awful to watch.
What do you guys think? You don't have a problem with 'Hack a Shaq' or do you? Let me know your opinions on 'Hack a Shaq'.
