NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, addresses the rule changes that pertain to "Hack a Shaq" https://t.co/qVA7ngll4K
— NBA TV (@NBATV) July 13, 2016
Hack-a-Shaq modified, sort of
What was once used a way to combat to the dominance of Shaquille O’Neal around the entire league, off-ball intentional fouls have finally been addressed to combat the pace of basketball.
The NBA’s board of governors has officially approved rule changes for the upcoming 2017 season, as the hack-a-strategy on poor free throw shooters will be fixed – sort of.
For the last two minutes of any quarter, intentionally fouling players to put them on the free throw line or jumping on opposing player’s backs has been banned, as well as pre-inbound fouls.
While this will reduce the game’s pace from being slowed down some, we’re not sure how this will exactly solve the solution for defensive-disciplined teams like the San Antonio Spurs having no problem with getting into early quarter foul trouble, at the expense of DeAndre Jordan and others.
Take a look at the complete breakdown of 2016-17 hack-a-shaq rules below.
Rules changes relating to deliberate away-from-the-play foul rules:
* The current rule for away-from-the-play fouls applicable to the last two minutes of the fourth period (and last two minutes of any overtime) — pursuant to which the fouled team is awarded one free throw and retains possession of the ball — will be extended to the last two minutes of each period.
* For inbounds situations, a defensive foul at any point during the game that occurs before the ball is released by the inbounder (including a “legitimate” or “natural” basketball action such as a defender fighting through a screen) will be administered in the same fashion as an away-from-the-play foul committed during the last two minutes of any period (i.e., one free throw and possession of the ball).
* The flagrant foul rules will be used to protect against any dangerous or excessively hard deliberate fouls. In particular, it will presumptively be considered a flagrant foul if a player jumps on an opponent’s back to commit a deliberate foul. Previously, these type of fouls were subject to being called flagrant but were not automatic.