With the unfortunate (ha!) loss of Robert Horry from the NBA's active players list, we need a bit of gasoline to keep the highly entertaining Spurs-Suns rivalry alive. Shaquille O'Neal, take it away. Thoughts on Gregg Popovich's use of the Hack-a-Shaq tactic while ahead during last spring's first-round series?When you're down, I can see using that as a strategy. But when you're up 10, 15 points, there's really no need for that. That's a coward move. And he knows that. I'll make 'em pay for that.So it's cool to employ Hack-a-Shaq if you're behind. But if you're winning the game, the tactic is an admission of cowardice. Just so we're clear on the ground rules.
Moments later, Shaq asks how he's supposed to stay in front Tony Parker if the Phoenix guards (hi Steve!) can't, and noted a blown assignment by an anonymous teammate (whaddup, 'Mare?) on Tim Duncan's [expletive] three to get the Spurs to overtime in Game 1.
Awesome times ahead, everyone! Shaq's still alive!
Full audio at always excellent Bright Side of the Sun.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-14-2008 @ 10:02PM
SpursReport said...
What a sore loser... dude, no the fat dude, yeah you, the one who makes millions and millions and millions of dollars and has yet to play a full 82 games ever in your career....... LEARN TO MAKE A FREE THROW MORON!!!
Reply
10-16-2008 @ 9:27PM
yolanda said...
The thing wrong with hack-a-shaq is you got three, four five guys all over you whacking the shit out of you, but the sorry spuretts flop when stopped by shaq and oh their should be a diffrent set of rules for shaq. B.S. don't be crying now spurett sissy fans about stratergy when sorry ass pop is teaching school of flopping fouls. That's their strategery, oh that and paying off the refs. with the calls their sorry butts get it's so obvious. They get behind and here comes the whistles to save the day. Earn the titles b-i-a-t-c-h-. You know what spurs stand for? Here it go: Sissy
Players
Under
Refs.
Supervision
I got it pattoned and on t-shirts.............Shaq Daddy is always willing to tell ya sorry buts the TRUTH.
10-14-2008 @ 10:45PM
grover said...
Cowardice is not having the balls to take a chance & improve the awful free throw shooting that has plagued you since the start of your career, Shaq.
The guy could have easily averaged 30 points per game if he had only made his free throws.
Reply
10-14-2008 @ 10:53PM
alternative91 said...
you are so correct....i never did like that shag hack attack...i undestand when shag was in his prime then do it..but not when hes about to sit on the bench as his career waning down...
u dont need to do that.
also, i am very surprise other team dosnt use the same hack treatment on tim duncan.
i never thought he was a free throw shooter on consistent basis.
i think sometimes players get away cos of their name too much recognition.
Reply
11-02-2008 @ 8:21AM
chefphx said...
If the Suns had used it on Duncun they win that overtime game
as soon as the ball is thrown in court you put a bear hug on any one that gets it the worst that can happen is you have the ball with a 1 point lead.
10-15-2008 @ 12:10AM
NBAFAN said...
Why is he a coward? Because he has won 4 rings, because he has lead 3 teams to the nba finals,because he helped 3 players penny,kobe,wade to be the best they can be. No your mad because he missed free throws.For the record it was not his missed free throws that lost the magic vs rockets or the pistons or the spurs it was lack of shots made at the end by the whole team. If your gonna throw out stuff know what your talking about.Oh and for the record he only missed 5 games his first three years in the league all for fighting and sticking up for his team
Reply
11-04-2008 @ 5:38PM
Juice said...
I couldn't agree more, it's called startegy bud. Pop has always won with role players and one or two studs. Phoenix doesn't know how to match and they never will. Defense wins championships. How many times have you heard that? You've heard it so much, because it's accurate. I give Shaq props for what he's accomplished, but he will remain a target until he learns to shoot a freethrow. Why do you think he sits the majority of the second half, if the game is remotely cose?
10-15-2008 @ 3:17AM
Nick said...
How about Shaq hit some foul shots? How about that?
Reply
10-15-2008 @ 4:16AM
JOEYNJ1982 said...
shaq complains alot but the only way to stop him is foul him he got three rings and is the best big man to come into the nba for awhile so all you losers can kick rocks hes gonna have a good season this and retire a hall of fame big man!!!!
Reply
11-09-2008 @ 1:30AM
TED said...
I DONT LIKE THE HACK A SHAQ... I THINK IT SHOWS NO CLASS BY POP... SLOWS THE GAME TO A CRAWL ...AND IT REALLY DOSENT WORK. SHAQ USUALLY HITS HIS SHOTS UNDER THE MOST PRESURE....BUT ITS TRUE HE HAS ONLY HIMSELF TO BLAME.. RICK BERRY ONE OF THE TOP THREE ALL TIME BEST FREE THROW SHOOTERS EVER, OFFERED TO HELP AND SHAQ REFUSED... THE MANAGEMENT HAS TO SHARE SOME BLAME.. IT SHOULD BE IN HIS CONTRACT THAT HE MUST RAISE HIS PERCENTAGE OR ACCEPT HELP...
Reply
10-15-2008 @ 7:30AM
baba said...
IT'S SAD! I won't be seeing Horry. Spurs management HOW COULD YOU!!! I won't be a spurs fan anymore . . . you don't have any respect for a good player!
Reply
10-15-2008 @ 7:36AM
fred smorgasboard said...
So when Popovich uses the tactic that helped his team get ahead, he should stop using it when they are ahead, thereby giving Shaq and his team a chance to comeback and win. Isn't that kind of stupid?
Reply
10-15-2008 @ 7:56AM
niap223 said...
Is shaqer not getting his way at the b-ball.
Reply
10-15-2008 @ 8:32AM
Paul Gettings said...
You know, I am a diehard Suns fan... and I have to say I disagree with Shaq. Just learn to make some free throws. If I can shoot free throws better than you as a 44 year old overweight businessman but you get paid $20M per year to play B Ball and can't make better than 50%, you are the coward. You have all day long to practice. You are paid to improve your game every year. You can't dunk over people anymore. Jordan became a good 3 point shooter. Tim Duncan has improved his free throws. Jason Kidd learned to shoot 3s over his career. Amare has developed a great jump shot. Why can't Shaq just learn to make threes?
Reply
10-15-2008 @ 1:15PM
Eric Sowards said...
You people just kill me, I agree with alot of the comments, but many of them are just out there. I am amazed Shaq shoots free throws as well as he does, being so tall he practically shoots down at the rim, he's got better, but needs to get better, enough of that, I think the Hack a Shaq thing is wrong, there should be a rule preventing it (Like that'll ever happen). I don't like Popavich, never did, he has gotten credit for many wins, it's not him, it's having great players. I am a SUNS fan...we don't have a prayer under Terry Porter, he has slowed down the offense, the Defense is better, but if you don't score your not going to win, maybe they will be better, just have to wait and see
Reply
10-16-2008 @ 9:53AM
Rich C. said...
Don't have a prayer with Terry Porter??? You had NO SHOT at a title with D"Antoni!! And now us Knick fans have NO SHOT!
Defense wins championships, Speed only works in the regular
season. You will be thanking your lucky stars for Terry Porter.
Meanwhile, D"Antoni will hold the fort, win maybe 30 games. Then hopefully, eventually the Knicks will get a real coach.
10-15-2008 @ 7:12PM
magic4ever said...
well shaq, i quess you cant win em all, if u were 1/2 as goo d as magic u would be shooting a whloe lot better at the freethrow line,but no u have a mind block convincing ur self that u cant shoot a free throw, for the love of god man what is the matter with u guys that want money coming out of the ying yang but cant shoot a simple freethrow ,dont blame some one else for coming up with exploiting ur weakness,it is just fundamental get it fundamental, did u recognise the lat part of fundamental,mental ,its mental,maybe what u shouldve done was prctice more on ur freethrows ,and maybe u wouldve been a fundamentally sound player ,for u to blame someone else for ur short commings is just pathetic ramblings of a so called player ,u shouldve listened to ur jr high basketball coach then maybe u wouldnt have this mental block
Reply
10-15-2008 @ 6:12PM
gigi said...
They did give Shaq and his team a chance to comeback and win at home in Phoenix but Parker killd them Dantoni is a looser and hes strategi is stupid ...............
Reply
10-16-2008 @ 12:10PM
Eric S said...
First of all, Gigi you right to some extent, but the main problem was Dantoni and I for one was happy that Chris and his Knicks have him now...lol, sorry Chris...you will have a better team this year but like you said your in trouble in the playoffs. Good Luck and thanks I hope your right that I will be thankful for Terry Porter, they have the Suns practices on here everyday and everyone is involved, Porter says hes going to have at least a 10 man rotation and he's going to develope the rookies, If D'antoni had done that maybe the starters wouldn't have been so worn out come Playoff time, Have a good season, except against us
10-15-2008 @ 10:09PM
tatico said...
I believe shaq, you are out game, and fat too, you are retired, old man, I have a question, are you a perfect player?, more than kobe, you have a problem , no popovich
Reply