Adam Silver seeks Hack-a-Shaq rule to limit intentional fouling

NBA commissioner Adam Silver is a rule change that would eliminate the Hack-a-Shaq strategy, in which players intentionally foul poor free-throw shooters.

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver is seeking a rule change that would eliminate the Hack-a-Shaq strategy, in which players intentionally foul poor free-throw shooters, he said at a press conference on Thursday.

“Not only is that something that is bad for our network partners, but for all of the fan research we have shows that the fans hate it,” Silver said, according to ESPN. “There may be a compromise in there where we can cut it down significantly.”

NBA research has found that the use of the tactic has increased by 16 times over the past five years and by 2.5 times since last season. The increase has prompted Silver to implement a change after saying he was undecided on the issue last year.

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If the NBA competition committee proposes a change, it must be approved by two-thirds of the owners. An option for the new rule could award the team that is intentionally fouled with one shot and the ball, as is currently the case in the last two minutes of a game.