Adam Silver: Youth coaches begging me to keep “Hack-a-Shaq”

By Luke Dahlgren | May 4, 2015

p Apr 29, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver addresses the media regarding the investigation involving Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling (not pictured) at New York Hilton Midtown. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /

The NBA commissioner has apparently been inundated with emails from youth coaches across the country who want to keep Hack-a-Shaq so their kids learn to shoot free throws.

One of the longest and most illustrious traditions in the NBA had its start with the late, great Wilt Chamberlain. Other NBA luminaries, such as Shaquille O’Neal and Dennis Rodman, had this tradition appied to them, and now it is being passed on to current NBA players such as Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan.

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I am of course talking about “Hack-a-Shaq”.

For those unaware, this is when a team blatantly fouls the opponents worst foul shooter, eventually forcing a change in possession after two tenuous attempts at a shot. The term is named after O’Neal, who was the recipient of one of the greatest in-game jokes in NBA history five seconds into the 2008-09 season.

What a cheeky imp.

The strategy has been a target for change within the NBA, as fans and analysts want the rules to somehow outlaw the strategy because of its negative impact on the excitement and competition of the game. Many coaches are completely okay with the strategy because it helps them to come back against teams with poor foul shooters.

Apparently, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has been absolutely flooded with emails defending the virtues of “Hack-a-Shaq”.

Adam Silver told us he has received e-mails from youth coaches begging him not to take away Hack-a-Shaq. They want kids 2 learn 2 shoot FTs.
— Ethan J. Skolnick, 5 Reasons Sports (@EthanJSkolnick) May 3, 2015

While the tin foil on my head leads me to speculate that perhaps Silver may be exaggerating the emails, the idea of improving free throw shooting is valid. Devaluing free throws cheapens the game at all levels, but so does the repeated practice of fouling. Plus, it is in the best interest of the game to improve the excitement of the product, and that means improving the pace.

Solving the issue, like many issues in the NBA, is going to be about balance. If the league can find a way to punish bad foul shooters while still not benefiting teams that hack at those bad foul shooters, then they can achieve the balance they need.

What that solution is remains to be seen. Until then, DeAndre Jordan will continue to have his arms hacked and kids will keep missing free throws.

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