More NBA teams have used the “Hack a Shaq” method against teams with poor free throw shooters. The “Hack a Shaq” was first implemented against Chicago Bulls Forward, Dennis Rodman but is widely known for its effect against Shaquille O’Neal (Shaq). This strategy is designed to slow down the basketball game and make a poor free throw shooter beat you from the free throw line. Some notable poor free throw shooters in today’s game are Deandre Jordan, Andre Drummond and Dwight Howard. Do you think this strategy is OK to use? If not, do you believe it is destroying the game?

I believe the “Hack a Shaq” strategy is OK to use and is actually good for the game. Some may say, it is destroying the game and is not good but I argue that it is good because it teaches players the fundamentals of free-throw shooting and taking it away is like saying, “They do not have to learn how to shoot free throws.”

As a former basketball player, I know that free throws are one of the most important things about the game. It is an opportunity for you to earn “free” points from the free throw line which helps out your team which can also determine whether your team wins the game or not. If a team has a dominant player whose weakness is free throw shooting, why is it wrong to take advantage of their weakness so you can have an opportunity to win?

Is banning the “Hack a Shaq” strategy helpful for the game? No, I believe banning this strategy is damaging to the game. What kind of message does banning this strategy send to others? I believe this tells young and current basketball players that you do not have to learn how to shoot free throws at a normal/ high level.

It instead cancels out a player’s weakness and causes him/her to be dominant to the point where they are unstoppable. For example, Shaquille O’Neal was one of the best dominating players of all time. He was pretty much untouchable until they implemented the “Hack a Shaq” rule. This caused him not to be as dominant. Now although he had his struggles from the free throw line, he had moments in which he shot from the free throw line at an okay/high level to help his team win.

The main question we have to ask is, “Who and why are we doing this for?” ESPN/ABC NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy believes, “It is not for individual players or teams but instead for the fans.” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes “It is for entertainment.” He also goes on to say that, “As commissioner of the NBA, he feels that it is his duty to get this issue resolved for the sake of entertainment.” With this strategy in place, I am entertained with the game and how it works. I understand why some people may not like this strategy but it is all a part of the game.

We all may not like the “Hack a Shaq” strategy or other parts of the basketball game, but it is all just part of the game. Although we do not like it does not necessarily mean we should get rid of it. Instead, we should encourage players to practice more on their weaknesses and be a better basketball player and person.