I’ve you’ve been a Shaq-fan since his NBA playing days (or are a good student of Shaq-history), then you’ll know the term “Hack-a-Shaq.” A new story from our friends at NBA authority site FadeawayWorld.com talk about how the man who invented the strategy even used it as a practical joke in one game against the Big Man.
For those who need it, a little bit of history: While Shaquille O’Neal was certainly one of the most unstoppable players in NBA history, he did occasionally struggle from the free-throw line. Yes, he was one of the most mobile big men in NBA history… and multiple MVP and Championship winner, yet when it came to those free throws… Let’s just say it was something the big man worked to improve his entire NBA career.
Teams began to recognize that “area of opportunity,” and one coach – San Antonio Spurs head man Greg Popovich – decided to try something new. He “invented” the idea of intentionally fouling O’Neal and let him try to make the free throws that came with the foul.
The strategy quickly became known by its famous name, “Hack-a-Shaq.” Defending players would intentionally foul Shaq in order to send him to the free-throw line to get him to miss.
Coach Popovich – or “Pop” as he was usually called – successfully used this tactic during the 2008 Playoffs against Shaq when he played for the Phoenix Suns. The Spurs consistently fouled O’Neal during their first-round series against the Suns.
The Spurs eliminated the Suns in 5 games, thanks in part to their tactics. So when the Suns and Spurs met in the following season, you could easily have guessed that the “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy was going to come into play again.
And yes, Pops did call for an intentional foul against O’Neal, just not exactly in the way (or at the time) you might expect. As the game between the Suns and Spurs tipped off, Shaq was immediately fouled within the first five seconds.
Turns out that Popovich instructed his players to do that as a practical joke on O’Neal. Pop turned to the TV cameras with a big grin and two thumbs up. O’Neal couldn’t help but laugh either, as it was a good prank on the former MVP.
Hack-a-Shaq would go on to become a strategy used by teams against any strong player who may have struggled at the free throw line. What would it be like to have a game-tested strategy named after you? Still, the idea of intentionally fouling a player because of the fact that otherwise, he’d absolutely, positively be scoring against you is a testament to Shaq’s power and dominance in the game. Pretty good compliment, don’t you think?