In the Cleveland Cavaliers’ recent conquest of the Detroit Pistons, coach Tyronn Lue made full use, or abuse, of Andre Drummond’s achilles heel.
The Pistons’ franchise player was limited to the bench in extended stretches during the fourth quarter, no thanks to the Cavs’ strategy of intentionally sending him to the free throw line. This disrupted any offensive rhythm that they managed to establish, which proved to be very essential in a tightly fought sweep.
RELATED: Why The Cavs Had Absolutely No Option But To Sweep The Detroit Pistons
But this tactic, originally called “hack-a-Shaq”, could potentially be on its farewell tour already as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is leaning towards its mitigation. In Chris Fedor’s recent article for Cleveland.com, Tyronn Lue expressed his thoughts on the potential change.
I would probably keep it the way it is. Basketball is strategy. Coaches have to use whatever they can to their advantage to try to win a basketball game. If guys can’t make free throws then you have to use it.
I mean, if guys can’t make three-point shots they don’t say anything about guys sitting in the paint and not closing out to guys. It’s the same effect. It’s a way the coaches try to use a situation and teams try to use the situation to win basketball games.
Also, in a tweet, Cavs majority owner Dan Gilbert established his position, which is on the same side of the fence as Lue.
I agree w/ @mcuban & @kingjames it would be a mistake to change free throw rules.Solution:Get better @ FT's.Heard Rick Barry willing to help
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) April 25, 2016
Popular opinion goes against taking away this part of the coaches’ strategy because there aren’t a lot of players who are prone to being fouled intentionally for this purpose. It’s seems to be an easy way out for players who are poor free throw shooters.
But there have been a few instances wherein those who are not known to be atrocious foul shooters were also subjected to this tactic – think Andre Iguodala from last year’s Finals.
RELATED: Tyronn Lue Sees LeBron James As Shaq-like In One Freakish Aspect
If this goes away, coaches will most probably come up with a new method of taking full advantage of a player’s weakness. For now, expect Tyronn Lue to use this strategy as he sees fit.
