Not cowardly. I like the analogy to double teaming best. It's in Shaq's power to put an end to the tactic. All he has to do is make his FT's.
Good thing the Lakers got rid of that idiot! Shaq just has to learn to hit FTs and no one will do it any more. Same with a team packing it in and daring a player to take the jumper. If they can hit the shot consistently they make the other team pay, if not then that's what they'll see all the time. I actually think it's cowardly to do that to Sergio!
I disagree that it is cowardly. It is smart. Would a player be considered a coward if they didn't let guys like Michael Redd, Ray Allen or other great shooters not get open looks at the 3 point line? Would a player be considered a coward if they worked hard to stop dribble penetration by Chris Paul, Steve Nash, or Deron Williams? My point being, that your job defensivly, is to make the game hard for somebody to score. You do that by trying to take away what is easy for your opponent and make them work for their points. I don't see putting Shaq on the line is any different then the examples I listed above. Maybe Shaq should quit making excuses, and start hitting his free throws.
It's a smart move. Just like walking or pitching around a beast of a hitter in Baseball. When done strategically, it can be the difference between winning and losing. You always attach an opponents weakness. Always.
Ha. Best post in the thread. I bet there are 29 other teams in the league that would love to get two automatic FT attempts in the fourth quarter. Why need to run an offense when the defense is just willing to give you points.. Shaq just sucks at the line, and like others said, is making an excuse for himself. That's why Greg is going to be scary. He's got that Shaq-like presence in the post to move people out of the way and dunk on you, and you can't hack the guy because he's a potential 75-80 percent FT shooter.
Not cowardly. No more than double teaming the opponent's best player. Or using a shift against a pull hitter in baseball. They used to run the 4 corners offense in college. The only bad thing about Hack a Shaq is that he's so big that people fouling him really mug him to the point of causing him pain.
