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The best way to defend...Shaq

Tue Nov 30, 2004 7:55 pm

Between us we know a thing or two about basketball, so let's settle into the familiar role of armchair analysts and discuss the best way to defend some of the league's most threatening offensive weapons. I didn't bring along a telestrator; my apologies to all aspiring Mike Fratellos.

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?

Tue Nov 30, 2004 8:46 pm

Not letting him get the lob & turning around to dunk it is the key. Keeping the lob away hinders him, it frustrates him.

Double teaming isn't all that great if he's surrounded by a bunch of slashers, Shaq's good enough to pass out of it & hit the open guy for the easy dunk/layup.

The best defense against Shaq is falling down a la Divac. Get a few fouls on him, get him out of the game. That's the best defense against him, as much as I hate it.

Another would be to draw him out. Because of guys like Nowitski & Garnett, if the opposing team is going small, Shaq is forced to come out of his "comfort" zone. This way he spends a lot of energy on the defensive end which in turn tires him.

All in all, Shaq's unstoppable. :D

Tue Nov 30, 2004 10:59 pm

Sorry for the one line... but what about not letting his teammates get him the ball owuld be good strategy also... obviously it wouldnt work forever!

Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:13 pm

I guess the easiest way would be to kick him violently in the balls, then stand over him and remind him he's only 1/2 the player he used to be. Before kicking him in the balls again.

Tue Nov 30, 2004 11:39 pm

The Spurs did a very good job on defending him during the first game of the Western Conference Semi Finals. Rasho Nesterovic basicly just made sure he was in the front of Shaq with his hands up, if the Lakers would attempt a lob pass, the helpside defender stepped down in the paint and got a easy steal, or if not they would automaticly double team Shaq if he somehow recieved the ball. This happend alot during the first game and it was very effective Imo

Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:56 am

Shaq can be stopped, but the question is do you want to win the game or not. You could have 2 guys on him but then it would 3 defenders onto 4 players.

Wed Dec 01, 2004 8:26 am

Well I think the best way is to use quickness, since there is no way you can move him away from the basket.

Shaq is not a quick player, so basically if you have a quick big man just get in front of him and just make sure if they try to go for a high pass, you have another defender waiting to help out.

But reallistically, there is no way to guard him, so go with Jae's idea.

Wed Dec 01, 2004 8:38 am

Jae™ wrote:I guess the easiest way would be to kick him violently in the balls, then stand over him and remind him he's only 1/2 the player he used to be. Before kicking him in the balls again.


you kinda gotta knee him in the balls, unless you're quite limber and have the proper angle.

Wed Dec 01, 2004 8:50 am

get a guy like danny fortson and use him solely for defense.. and leave him out of the offense.. i'd try to force shaq to the highpost so he can't really do shit but pass

Wed Dec 01, 2004 9:47 am

Keep him from getting the ball, Use a zone and have triple teams on him make the other players win the game..

Wed Dec 01, 2004 10:00 am

Cee_em_bee wrote: have triple teams on him make the other players win the game..


that won't work, because...well...the other players will win the game. wade is just as important to miami as shaq is- and they have jones, who is still an offensive threat, probably some other threats as well (i haven't kept up with miami's game this year, not sure who's contributing)

Wed Dec 01, 2004 10:04 am

Donatello wrote:
Cee_em_bee wrote: have triple teams on him make the other players win the game..


that won't work, because...well...the other players will win the game. wade is just as important to miami as shaq is- and they have jones, who is still an offensive threat, probably some other threats as well (i haven't kept up with miami's game this year, not sure who's contributing)


I'd go with triple teams he was in his prime, But atm he isn't influencing the game as mch as he should, So I would keep single coverage on him and double team him quick when he catches the ball

Thu Dec 02, 2004 8:16 am

aside from gimmick defenses or putting perimeter shooting centers on him, the best defense on shaq is offense. make the big man play it. you increase the chances of him wearing out in the 4th qtr and he just might get in foul trouble
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