The first player up for analysis is an obvious choice: Shaquille O'Neal.
Healthy and on top of his game, Shaq seems close to unstoppable at the offensive end. He has a knack for scoring big when his team needs him to rack up points and even though he's a poor free throw shooter, it has never prevented him from being one of the top scorers in the league; the last couple of years excluded.
Of all the ways that have been suggested to slow down Shaq, from Hack-a-Shaq to flopping, I think the most effective method is using basic basketball and common sense. Nothing fancy, though certainly easier said than done.
- Don't leave him open for a lob. Giving Shaq open space a couple of feet from the basket is just inviting him to catch a lob or an entry pass for an easy dunk or layup.
- Force him out of his range. This has been particularly effective while he's been recovering from his hamstring injury. It's also easier said than done; Shaq's pretty good at establishing position down in the low post.
- Use double teams effectively. Shaq has amazing footwork for a player his size, but he does tend to shuffle a bit sometimes and the referees do seem to call him for it when it's just too blatant a violation. Shaq has developed a nice spin to the basket, but with good positioning a double team that forces him baseline could draw a legitimate offensive foul or force him into a walk. Shaq's balance allows him to avoid the "chair out from underneath" tactic but his size can still be used against him.
- Don't rely on the Hack-a-Shaq. Shaq, like Dennis Rodman, has a habit of being able to hit a bunch of free throws when they matter the most. He might shoot 6/14 for the game, but shoot 4/4 in the closing two minutes. Shaq also has the strength to power up and make a dunk with defenders all over him. There's no need to waste a foul and give up a chance for a three point play on such a high percentage shot.
As I said, this is all easier said than done. It would also be more effective 10 years ago when the league boasted more talent at the centre position, with plenty of All-Star calibre pivotmen who had the size and the talent to pose a serious challenge to Shaq's brute strength and slightly underrated post game.
What do you think coaches should be telling their players when it comes to matching up with Shaq? Is there a way to consistently derail the Diesel?
