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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hack-A-Shaq Ploy Works

Associated Press

It’s the closest thing the NBA has now to tag-team wrestling. One center starts the job, chopping away like a cook at a Japanese steakhouse. His backup arrives with the same plan. A third center comes off the bench to replace the second, and the whole process starts again. Chop, chop, chop.

As Shaquille O’Neal bids for his first NBA scoring title, and the Orlando Magic continue dominating the Eastern Conference, the rest of the league has formalized its defensive strategy.

If O’Neal catches the ball close to the basket, O’Neal will get fouled.

“It’s a simple strategy. It’s easy to figure out. And I’d probably do the same thing if I was coaching against him,” said Magic coach Brian Hill. “But it’s got to be frustrating to know that every time you touch the ball, somebody is going to foul you.”

His poor free-throw shooting, a league-leading field-goal percentage and his strength around the basket have combined to produce a strategy of revolving-door centers being shuffled into the game against him.

O’Neal attempted 17 free throws Thursday night in the victory against the Chicago Bulls, giving him a league-leading 472 free-throw attempts this season. He is shooting 59 percent from the field but only 55 percent from the free-throw line.

“All you can tell him is to stay aggressive, and keep attacking the basket,” Hill said. “The only way it’s going to change is if he continues to improve on his free-throw shooting.

Nelson on Wilkins

Golden State Warriors head coach Don Nelson, on Boston Celtics coach Chris Ford’s problems with Dominique Wilkins, who Nelson coached on Dream Team II: “He said he didn’t like to play for me, either, so I know the feeling. I asked him to do some things that were difficult for him to do - like run back on defense and pass.”