NBA CHANGES HACK-A-SHAQ RULES
The Hack-A-Shaq is a tactic in basketball is when teams direct their intentional fouls towards a player on the opposing team who has a low free throw shooting percentage. The foul essentially assures that the opposition will not score, and that the team who fouled will get the ball. The name “Hack-A-Shaq” comes from former Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal, widely regarded as one of the most dominant big men to ever play the game. However, his free throw shooting left much to be desired. In a statement regarding the rule change, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that current projections show a 45% decrease in “Hack-A-Shaq” fouls. In the official press release, the rules are detailed as such: "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."