CBS Hack-a-Howard? All-Star hacks back, teammates pick up...

mhectorgato · Post #1 » by **mhectorgato** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:41 pm

John Jackson in a Special to CBSSports.com wrote:Hack-a-Howard? All-Star hacks back, teammates pick up slack

...

In just his fourth NBA season, Howard, 22, was averaging 20.9 points and 14.3 rebounds before Tuesday night's game at Atlanta. Few players are able to match his strength and athleticism, so guarding Howard usually is a team assignment.

That's the approach the Detroit Pistons used a year ago en route to a first-round sweep of the Magic. Howard put up decent numbers (15.3 points and 14.8 rebounds) in the series, but was never allowed to be a dominant force.

"(The Pistons) loaded up in the paint and when I got the ball and I was going up, they fouled me right away," he said. "I just have to step up to the free-throw line and make it."

Against the Pistons, Howard was just 15-for-33 (45.5 percent) from the free-throw line in that series. He is making just 59.9 percent of his free-throw attempts this season, but believes he is better prepared now if the Toronto Raptors -- Orlando's first-round opponent -- employs the hack-a-Howard strategy.

Post #2 » by **Shaazzam** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:48 pm

That's probably a big reason why we got Primoz. 6 more fouls.

Too bad he'll burn them in 45 seconds.

y 2 a B · Post #3 » by **y 2 a B** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 12:25 am

Well that's good, 'cause last year's FT shooting by Dwight was just attrocious. If he hits atleast 70% in this year's playoffs I'll be happy. Hell, I'll even take 65%.

Big A All Day · Post #4 » by **Big A All Day** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:52 pm

That technique wont work. Stupid.. Ever time besides that pistons series i have ever seen it used on howard he makes them... I cant remeber the game off hand but he was missing them all game and they starting hack a shaqing him and then he made like 6 straight :banghead:

.. they stoped

y 2 a B · Post #5 » by **y 2 a B** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:50 pm

BigA2k8 wrote:That technique wont work. Stupid.. Ever time besides that pistons series i have ever seen it used on howard he makes them... I cant remeber the game off hand but he was missing them all game and they starting hack a shaqing him and then he made like 6 straight .. they stoped

That was the Charlotte game, and it was very comical.

I believe he was 3-12 at the time, and they fouled him intentionally 4 straight possessions, and he made 8 in a row after that. Charlotte learned their lesson. :evil: