Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is the one who uses the tactic most...Having used it at some stage during every game in the series versus the Clippers, except game three, sending DeAndre Jordan who is one of the worst free throw shooters in NBA history (41% for his career) to the line constantly.
During todays game Jordan attempted 16 free throws, making 7, and if I remember correctly ALL of them were a result of 'hack a jordan'. It slowed the game to snails pace, the third quarter took forever and Clippers players, coaches and fans were obviously frustrated with what was going on. Clippers coach Doc Rivers had to remove Jordan from the game a couple of times to stop it, exactly what Pop wanted.
Of course you all want my opinion (LOL) so here it is...
I personally have no problem with the tactic. All they are doing is exposing another teams weakness and there is nothing wrong with that, after all isn't that what the game is all about? It forces the opposing coach to make a decision! "Do I keep him in or not?" It keeps the ball out of Chris Paul and Blake Griffins hands and if he does get taken out of the game it significantly weakens their interior defence and rim protection...Jordan is a fantastic player but its not the Spurs fault he is a bad free throw shooter! Why can't they use that to their advantage?
I can definitely understand why people don't like the strategy since it slows the game down and sometimes forces Rivers to take him out of the game and people don't pay money to watch one of the most exciting players in the league shoot free throws all day and sit on the bench...But from a tactical point of view I don't think there is anything wrong with it and I personally don't want any rules to be altered or new rules put in place to prevent it from happening. At the end of the day its about WINNING and it is a weakness they should be allowed to take advantage of if they choose to...
On top of that it does hurt the team doing it, it gets players in foul trouble and they also run the risk of the player actually making the free throws and gifting them points, so its not like it doesn't have disadvantages or risks.
...and who didn't find this entertaining
AP
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