I love Shaquille O'Neal and very much hate the San Antonio Spurs, but I can't defend Shaq on his constant criticism of the Hack-a-Shaq.
O'Neal continues to speak out against the defensive strategy this week in practice and promises to make the Spurs pay this year.
"I was fine with that," O'Neal said. "It doesn't work. It may work in a series, but it's not going to get you to the championship. San Antonio tried it, but they went home a couple weeks after we went home. I just have to go to the line and make them pay. And I will.
"The only thing I call cowardly is when you're up by 10 and do it. That's a cowardly move. I didn't say nothing last year, but that's a coward move. They should really do something about that. When you're down, I can see using it as a strategy, but when you're up 10 to 15 points, there's really no need for that."
I see one easy solution to this so-called cowardly act. Don't get down to the Spurs by 10-15 points.
In this video above, which is clearly from a disgruntled Phoenix Suns fan, you'll see the Hack-a-Shaq strategy in its finest from last year's playoff series.
When it comes down to it, the strategy works. Plain and simple. So while I find it incredibly annoying and makes me loathe the Spurs even more, I can't call it cowardly if it wins basketball games.
Shaq's take: 'Hack' can be cowardly [AZ Central]
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