I'm getting sick of this hack a shaq BS...

[Don Quixote]

Yep. Maybe if Shaq had made a few more of his FTs, then they'd still be playing.

FT's are a fundamental part of the game. Like dribbling and passing.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Chandler shoots 59%... time for hack-a-chandler? Lord, I hope not.

After the season this rule will be changed and so it should be. Intentionally fouling players should be an INTENTIONAL FOUL - it ruins the flow of the game, destroys it as a spectacle, and is against the spirit.

That we used it in this series is fine - we used the rules that were there at the time to our advantage. However, I hope the NBA changes the rules in the offseason. FT shooting contests generated from intention fouls are not BASKETBALL.

[DespЏrado]

Chandler shoots 59%... time for hack-a-chandler? Lord, I hope not.

After the season this rule will be changed and so it should be. Intentionally fouling players should be an INTENTIONAL FOUL - it ruins the flow of the game, destroys it as a spectacle, and is against the spirit.

That we used it in this series is fine - we used the rules that were there at the time to our advantage. However, I hope the NBA changes the rules in the offseason. FT shooting contests generated from intention fouls are not BASKETBALL.

+1 Couldn't agree more

[K-State Spur]

Chandler shoots 59%... time for hack-a-chandler? Lord, I hope not.

After the season this rule will be changed and so it should be. Intentionally fouling players should be an INTENTIONAL FOUL - it ruins the flow of the game, destroys it as a spectacle, and is against the spirit.

That we used it in this series is fine - we used the rules that were there at the time to our advantage. However, I hope the NBA changes the rules in the offseason. FT shooting contests generated from intention fouls are not BASKETBALL.

no, because 59% (while terrible) makes it NOT advantageous to be putting him on the line.

which just further displays how HORRID shaq is at the line that teams are willing to put him there instead of playing defense.

[brettn]

you ing about us exploiting shaq's weakness at the line is like ing about the suns exploiting their height advantage with diaw against the likes of ginobli and finley. we found a weakness in their team and exploited, similar to what the suns tried to do to us. However elementary and basic free throws might be, they're still a PART OF THE GAME, and it's amazing fatty hasn't gotten that through his head after all these seasons. More amazing is you ing about this strategy when it obviously worked wonders against the sun's mentality and offensive rhythm.

Spurs Mentality: Fatty can't make free throws, so make him make free throws.

Suns Mentality: Spurs cant guard diaw, make them guard diaw.

[peskypesky]

Hack-a-Shaq = VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Borosai]

I think Pop started using it a bit much, but in the end, it worked. The Suns missed 17 free throws, and 11 of those were Shaq's. I don't love the strategy, but it is strategy.

[Crookshanks]

Chandler shoots 59%... time for hack-a-chandler? Lord, I hope not.

After the season this rule will be changed and so it should be. Intentionally fouling players should be an INTENTIONAL FOUL - it ruins the flow of the game, destroys it as a spectacle, and is against the spirit.

That we used it in this series is fine - we used the rules that were there at the time to our advantage. However, I hope the NBA changes the rules in the offseason. FT shooting contests generated from intention fouls are not BASKETBALL.

For the LAST time - will you guys SHUT UP about this! Winning is all about strategy and exploiting the other team's weaknesses. Shaq's FT shooting has been a HUGE weakness - and Pop used it to our advantage. Winning doesn't have to be pretty or esthetically pleasing to the fans - CASE CLOSED!!!!!!!!

[peskypesky]

I love the Hack-a-Shaq!!!

Pop was brutal, ruthless and as cold-blooded as could be. Truly Machiavellian.

[K-State Spur]

I think Pop started using it a bit much, but in the end, it worked. The Suns missed 17 free throws, and 11 of those were Shaq's. I don't love the strategy, but it is strategy.

agreed. i liked it better as a method to slow PHX runs, as opposed to using it when our guys were already getting stops.

[Obstructed_View]

I love the tactic. Pop was Achilles, dragging the Suns behind his chariot.

Death and the day of your doom are close upon you...

Props to Amare for finally being classy, but it's too little too late. 'em.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I think Pop started using it a bit much, but in the end, it worked. The Suns missed 17 free throws, and 11 of those were Shaq's. I don't love the strategy, but it is strategy.

I don't love it either, but it probably kept the series from going six.

Now we have to see what Pop has in his bag of tricks against NO.
I like how Pop was so coy about it, and kept using it throughout the series. You think he was going to abandon it after game 2, "Shaq made it look stupid" but nope, kept forcing D'Antoni's hand.

[dav4463]

Teams used to play defense....real defense....Spurs/Pistons style defense.

Then Mark Cuban whined and cried and got the league to change the hand-check rule to try to finally beat Bruce Bowen and open up the game for Dirk to drive to the hoop. It backfired when Dwayne Wade did it to the mavericks!

So, now the league became more wide-open and higher scoring to make the sheep (fans) of offense happy and maybe let the mavericks or suns win a le.

But, guess what? The Spurs proved they can play that way too!

So, now trying to beat the Spurs......teams want to change another rule. It's not fair to foul a bad foul shooter.....whine, whine, cry, cry........!

Make your free throws! It won't matter!

What next? Outlaw the pick and roll because the Spurs are too good at it ! Outlaw the bank shot because Tim Duncan is too good at it! How about outlaw the tear drop. It's not a conventional shot and Tony Parker is too good at it. Hey, maybe put a cap on how old a player can be so Robert Horry won't beat you anymore! Spurs adapt to rule changes, style of play, whatever.....that's why the Spurs are championship contenders every year!

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

For the LAST time - will you guys SHUT UP about this! Winning is all about strategy and exploiting the other team's weaknesses. Shaq's FT shooting has been a HUGE weakness - and Pop used it to our advantage. Winning doesn't have to be pretty or esthetically pleasing to the fans - CASE CLOSED!!!!!!!!

Please, go back to grade school and learn to read. Then re-read my post.

[m33p0]

i remember tim being subjected to that tactic in recent years. not anymore.

[Cry Havoc]

FT shooting contests generated from intention fouls are not BASKETBALL.

And having a lazy, one-dimensional, 350 lb mammoth on the court who only knows how to knock other players on their ass to score, who won't work at his weaknesses, who has NO shot outside of 6 feet -IS- basketball?

[zedman]

Let's see...using this tatic the Spurs give PHX an opportunity to score with a wide open shots from the FT line while the clock is stopped...there's nothing wrong with the rules, the problem is with that piece of shaq on the court. Good stategy and it really threw Nash out of his rhythm as well.