"Hack-a-Shaq" No More...

Frankly, it is part of the game and is perfectly legal with the rule system the way it is now. However, to me it is a sleazy strategy no matter who is doing it. I didn't like it when the Suns did it to the Lakers, or the Pistons to the Heat, and I didn't like the Spurs doing it to the Suns. It's not how the game was meant to be played. IMO it is one of those rules that needs to be changed, but I'm forced to tolerate until it is changed. Yes, Shaq needs to learn to shoot free throws (so do Ben Wallace and others). But honestly, it's not how the game was intended to be plaed. Not to mention you can turn the scenario around.. the team committing the fouls could be viewed as incapable of beating or stopping the other team without it and ought to learn to play better defense. Sure, that is a very weak argument, but the aspect is there.

Frankly, it is a simple fix - any intentional foul away from the ball/play ought to be considered a technical foul. Two shots and the ball.

Hack a Shaq is part of the game in some regard.  But the Spurs went too far.  If a foul occurs when the player doesn't have the ball and it is intentional; it should be a T.  Why?  This isn't basketball.  Funny, Duncan didn't like it when it was done to him either.

Flopping should be ignored.  I'm so sick of flopping.

As for replays; that should absolutely happen.

So all in all, I like the changes that may take place.  My only concern is how they will govern it.  Esp flopping.  Deron flops all the time; will they notice.  Or will they just tag guys like Scola and Varejo.  The rules will need to be clear I should think.  Then you've got to go with the idea of not allowing an offensive foul to occur.  I think that if the offensive player does not obstruct the defender with an elbow, wrap around, etc; then no call is made even if the defensive player falls to the floor.  Learn to man up and play D.  That is my take on it.

I like the idea of cleaning up the game and not allowing cheap shots.  To me, flopping is as cheap as fouling Shaq at mid-court when the ball isn't even close to him.  They both take away from the flow of the game and both look ridiculous and cop-outs to just simply playing the game of basketball.  For once, I'm actually in agreement with Stern.

The funny thing is that when they did it I was booing loudly and chanting "cheap a$$ basketball" for about ten seconds and none of the fans said anything.

Even the Spurs fans are ashamed of the antics.  But at the same time it's entirely within the rules and if you make your free throws they won't do it again.  And there are ways around the whole "intentional foul" thing some of you suggested.  Let's face it .. it's like trying to rid the NBA of flopping.  It's not going to happen and if anyone were to think of it there'd be a million revisions to it because there's no way to prove intent, etc. in an irrefutable way.  It's all subjective.

I think that you can make rules that are not subjective.  This is similar to:  offensive foul or defensive foul.  This is up to interpretation as well; with rules that are to be followed.

Hack a Shaq:  simple.  If you foul a player when they are not near the ball nor involved in the play in a non-basketball move; then it is a hack and a T.  This is not up to interpretation.  The rule isn't to determine if the foul was intentional; only if the foul was caused outside of the flow of the game IN WHICH ALL intentional fouls of the Spurs flavor were.

Flopping:  again very simple.   The rule isn't to determine if the player meant to fall down.  Only if he has enough contact to fall and if he was positioned correctly to gain advantage.  If the offensive player didn' t make solid contact or use an elbow or anything of that nature; nothing is called.  Then flopping will stop.    This call is no more difficult to make then to determine whether a player truly flopped or not; which they have to do now.

In the playoffs, it appeared as though they were looking to prevent flopping with no calls.  So Stern is showing the league it is possible.

I also think they should allow review of those calls.  Such as the many times AK47 got an offensive foul on TMAC for grabbing TMAC's arm and flopping when TMAC tried to get his arm back.  AK47 is smart and does it when the ref is looking elsewhere; basically away from the ball.

spsfootball, Meaning, it is either an offensive foul, defensive foul, or no call. Flopping in general would be a no-call. Many times refs feel pressured to call one or the other in case of flopping. With a new rule, they will only make the call if they saw either an offensive foul or a defensive foul. Not someone falling down.

Clearly if an offensive player plows into a defensive player with proper positioning; it is an offensive foul.  If he used his elbow or any part of his body to create space by literally moving the defensive player.  However, minor contact is allowed on the defense.  So if someone flops from minor contact; nothing is called.  I think many times it is clear what flopping is.  After a year of this; we will see little flopping and then the play-calling gets easier.  There will be those few than can fool the refs; but it won' t be half as bad as it is now.