Oh Shaq.

Shaq calls Spurs cowards, rips Nash and Suns' defense

When you're down, I can see using that as a strategy. But when you're up 10, 15 points, there's really no need for that. That's a coward move. And he knows that. I'll make 'em pay for that."

Shaq asks how he's supposed to stay in front Tony Parker and company if the Phoenix guards can't, and then notes a blown defensive rotation on Tim Duncan's [fudge'n] three in Game 1

Shaq ripping the Suns defense wasn't really a shot at his team, just him telling the truth. He switched to the ball handler and nobody rotated to Duncan. BUT, would you rather have Duncan take the 3 or Tony Parker if Raja Bell switched to Duncan? I can't ask Shaq to guard two people at once, but after he got beat, he just sort of watched Ginobilli.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-YTI_fbwEs[/youtube]

I like his opinion on the off-ball Hack-a-Shaq, too. He said he sees how it could be a strategy when your down and trying to get back into the game, but when you are leading by double digits, it's cowardly.

wtf on shaq's comment about the hack-a-shaq. YES spurs were up by 10-15 pt margin but how about the strategy that goes into ensuring that double digit cushion. Cowardly??? YOU'RE IN THE PLAYOFFS!! for fuck sake, if u were the spurs and fouling shaq at the ft was the EASIEST and SAFEST strategy, would u shy away from that plan cuz it seems cowardly??seriously... some of the shit that comes out of his fat ass mouth is embarrassing and i cant believe how he went from the most dominating force in the league reduced to a whining baby.

face it.. the bitch was embarrassed that the spurs were able to take him out of his game, put him on the spot, show the world why he is more of a liability for the team rather than an upgrade. I hate the spurs as much as any hater out there... but this only proves how cold hearted the spurs are to win. Pop and the Spurs knew exactly what this did psychologically to the phoenix team and it finally shows with shaq rambling about ultimately how hopeless he is at clutch and FREEthrows.

if there is one thing that an old, 300 pound, physically declining player can improve is freethrow. there is no physical stress in shooting freethrows; its purely skill, coordination, and determination. Shaq has neither of these qualities.

wtf on shaq's comment about the hack-a-shaq. YES spurs were up by 10-15 pt margin but how about the strategy that goes into ensuring that double digit cushion. Cowardly??? YOU'RE IN THE PLAYOFFS!! for fuck sake, if u were the spurs and fouling shaq at the ft was the EASIEST and SAFEST strategy, would u shy away from that plan cuz it seems cowardly??seriously... some of the shit that comes out of his fat ass mouth is embarrassing and i cant believe how he went from the most dominating force in the league reduced to a whining baby.

face it.. the bitch was embarrassed that the spurs were able to take him out of his game, put him on the spot, show the world why he is more of a liability for the team rather than an upgrade. I hate the spurs as much as any hater out there... but this only proves how cold hearted the spurs are to win. Pop and the Spurs knew exactly what this did psychologically to the phoenix team and it finally shows with shaq rambling about ultimately how hopeless he is at clutch and FREEthrows.

if there is one thing that an old, 300 pound, physically declining player can improve is freethrow. there is no physical stress in shooting freethrows; its purely skill, coordination, and determination. Shaq has neither of these qualities.

Shaq can't shoot free throws because a condition he has on his wrist, and teams exploit that. And Shaq pretty has nothing much to play for, his career is just about done. I understand what he is saying and I agree with him.

Wow Shaq. Make ur free throws. Playing basketball for 20+ years straight and cant make free throws at over 60%? What about all the FT practice i saw him do during the show he was trying to get fat kids to lose weight?

On one hand, the answer is simple; if Shaq could knock down his free throws, it wouldn't be a weakness that opponents could exploit so easily. However, I do see his point; when you're up 10 or 15 points, going to the Hack-a-Shaq - especially in the instances where he's still in the backcourt - is taking the easy road rather than having to defend against the Suns' offense and each of their scoring threats and when you're up by double digits and as good as the Spurs are defensively you don't need to do that. You can't argue with the effectiveness or cunning of the strategy, though.

Shaq has wrist problems?? to the point where it would affect it throughout his whole career. sounds like a lot of excuses but if that's the case i wonder why this wouldnt be as well known. or am i the only one that didnt know?

On one hand, the answer is simple; if Shaq could knock down his free throws, it wouldn't be a weakness that opponents could exploit so easily. However, I do see his point; when you're up 10 or 15 points, going to the Hack-a-Shaq - especially in the instances where he's still in the backcourt - is taking the easy road rather than having to defend against the Suns' offense and each of their scoring threats and when you're up by double digits and as good as the Spurs are defensively you don't need to do that. You can't argue with the effectiveness or cunning of the strategy, though.

It's cheap, but its not cowardly. To me, Shaq is the coward for not answering these problems by improving his ft's. I think he realises that he isn't significant anymore so he has to keep saying controversial things like this and the Kobe rap.

I've heard commentators speak about it during games. I don't know if its a fact but I have heard it a couple times.

It's not a medical condition really.
It's that thing somewhat called "shooter's pulse" (I don't what it's exactly called) that has something to do with the timing of the release of the ball and the flick of the wrist. I'm sure you experience such thing when shooting jumpshots or freethrows.
In other words, Shaq just needs practice.

It's cheap, but its not cowardly. To me, Shaq is the coward for not answering these problems by improving his ft's. I think he realises that he isn't significant anymore so he has to keep saying controversial things like this and the Kobe rap.

Agreed on both counts, calling it "cowardly" is an exaggeration and Shaq's outspokeness in recent months does come off like a desperate attempt to appear more important now that he's accepted a lesser role and is in the twilight of his career.