Wednesday, May 13, 2015

How to Combat #Hack-a-Jordan: Spike the Ball off the Backboard and Rebound

I was watching the Clippers vs. Rockets snoozefest where they hacked DeAndre Jordan 28 times in the first half of that game. I know it didn't work during that game but it didn't matter.
For one thing, there's the perception that Hack-a-Whoever, in many instances, just doesn't work. Remember, the Clippers decimated the Rockets in Jordan's 34-freebie game, thanks in large part to the combination of Houston completely sabotaging its rhythm, forsaking the possibility of generating live-ball turnovers, and having to repeatedly attack the Clips' set half-court defense, loaded up to snuff out every last James Harden isolation. (Also, the Rockets kind of seemed to quit.)
I'm pretty sure the Rockets quit because they were forced to play against how they wanted to. Harden seemed like he hated having to use a trick instead of playing tough defense.

Before I changed the channel on that game (this tactic actually lost at least one viewer)I was trying to think of ways to get rid of this tactic. Anything like giving the team that got fouled possession if it was intentional rewards them for having a poor free throw shooter. You could have a good free throw shooter sub in for the poor one only if the foul was intentional but that would be a reward as well.
 
One thing I think would be interesting is to have DeAndre Jordon spike the ball off the backboard on the second foul shot. Then rebound like crazy or even have Jordon try for a tip dunk. I think a strong fellow like Jordon can fire the ball hard enough off of the backboard so one of his teammates can rebound it. If he can do it enough then that intentionally missed free throw can turn into a whole new possession.

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