The infamous Hack-A-Shaq problem was finally tackled Tuesday night, as the NBA’s Board of Governors approved various rule changes that the league hopes will help put a stop to much of the issue.
The changes were not significant, but they’ll still affect what we ultimately see at the end of games.
However, not everyone was pleased with the rule changes. One of those firmly aganst changing the rules was Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban:
“Rewarding incompetence is never a good business strategy”, Cuban told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Cuban, known for his business savvy persona in roles on the Shark Tank and behind the scenes with the Dallas Mavericks for over a decade, would likely know a thing or two about good business.
In the end, that’s what the NBA should be about. Whether or not the new rules draw a bigger audience annually to Basketball games will help decide if these rules paid off in the long run.
Cuban, of course, could be against the rules due to a certain big man who struggles with his free throw shooting that ultimately decided to re-sign with the Clippers last summer, of course — Or perhaps not. Cuban is known for speaking out against issues like this, voicing his opinions to the world.
Cuban wasn’t alone. Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Chris Paul sided with Cuban, voicing his own opinion on the situation:
Chris Paul says he is not a fan of the new Hack-A-Shaq rule changes. #ESPYSpic.twitter.com/X2kSuz9piq
— NBA On Def Pen (@NBAOnDefPen) July 13, 2016
With the league’s fans, coaches, executives, and players debating on how to ultimately solve this issue, one thing is for certain: There must be a ruling in the near future. Thursday’s minor rule changes, one including the fact that intentionally fouling will now reward the opposing team one free throw and the ball in the final two minutes of any quarter, are just the beginning. More must be done. Either Hack-A-Shaq is fully rewarded, or those using the tactic get penalized.
The league must ultimately side with one. At least we know what side the outspoken Mark Cuban is on.
