Rajon Rondo is an outstanding defender and will most likely be assigned to guard James Harden in the playoffs. Rondo is a 61% career free throw shooter, although he is only hitting 40% this season. Simple question - Should we intentionally foul Rajon Rondo in the playoffs?
What is your idea of a strategic moment? Obviously if they are already in the penalty, but if Harden is struggling? If the Mavs offense is rolling?
No need to hack him. You can just straight up foul him. He's the PG. He holds the ball. He's useless on offense without the ball.
If he hasn't shot a free throw in forever in the game, put him on the line in the 3rd quarter to shake him especially if we are behind a bit. If he has been racking up a lot of assists, foul him intentionally to break up his rhythm or the rhythm of the team. Especially on the road as this tends to frustrate the fans. Things like that. But in principle, doing it over and over for say 26 shots in a game isn't going to help us win. Ultimately he's going to shoot better than 40% if you put him on the line 25 times and it could backfire.
I hope like hell that this series doesn't devolve into a hack-a-contest.... Just play the damn game. We are a better, deeper team than the Mavs. We don't need to hack anyone. Mark Cuban said during last offseason that he 'wanted to kick his (Morey's) ass'- hacking our players to try to win couldn't count for that.
THIS. Something like that going back and forth may finally force the NBA to do something about the hacking....
I think we may consider doing that as soon as mavs begins hack-a-Howard or josh. Let's the result fly
I voted yes, but hopefully they won't have to. I think our defense should be good enough to stop them straight up. Hack a player is such a cop out for crappy defenses. looking at you Pop!
Yes. In fact, I think the whole "series" should just be a free throw shooting contest between Rondo and JSmoove. Who needs that whole "basketball" thing?
No. We Play better when we get the rebound and fast break and remember they like slow and playoff style play.
I hate employing the hack-a strategy to the extent Pop did it. A few times is ok, but not every time down the floor. It got all of his guys in serious foul trouble in a game could've easily gone to overtime.
Don't try to fool yourself, Rondo is horrible on defense after his injury, no phisical, no effort, no abilty to contain throughout even 33-35 minutes
