"Hack-a-Ben" strategy

[BillessuR6]

Best Tactic: Spurs' Hack-a-Shaq

For years, coaches have tripped all over themselves with how to use the Hack-a-Shaq. In the first-round series against Phoenix, Gregg Popovich became the first to really master how to use this weapon to his advantage. He used it in second quarters, when he had guys like Jacque Vaughn and Robert Horry in the game anyway and didn't care if they picked up fouls, and used it when he had the lead to eliminate the chance of a 3-pointer.

Most of all, he used it at the end of quarters to get the last shot, and is continuing to use it with Tyson Chandler and Melvin Ely in the New Orleans series. If New Orleans has the ball with 25 seconds or less left, Popovich simply fouls intentionally so he can get the ball back for the Spurs. This should be a Eureka! moment for other coaches, and I expect it will be the league's most widely-copied tactic next year.

Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2 ... rds_080516

Well, we haven`t used it yet but today might be a good start. We saw how terrible Varejao shot from the line in the last game, so hacking him and Ben wouldn`t be a bad idea. Poor free throw shooting from cavs in the last quarter was actually a huge reason why we were able to keep the lead...

[Datruth345]

i was actually looking forward to using the strategy in the series
but mike brown has done a good job of offense/defense substitutions to keep wallace off the court in the times where we would want to use it

i dont think its a viable option at this point

[Tricky Ricky]

At least in his prime Wallace was a beast defensively, since his offense was *ahem* limited. Now he sucks at both ends of the floor. He doesn't worry me at all.

His D was incredible because of the Pistons, once he left them he sucked. Id def use the strategy as a way to kill Bron and the Cavs momentum

[Al n' Perk No Layups!]

We used it once, but our guys screwed up the rebound and allowed Joe Smith to grab it, who was then fouled allowing the Cavs to get Ben out of the game.


I would do it for this game, it's on the road and we have nothing to lose by trying it. But I wouldn't want to rely on it at home, I'd rather not risk getting guys fouled out later in the game because of Hack-a-Ben.