Mark Cuban feels new 'Hack-a-Shaq' rules reward incompetence
The NBA didn't drastically alter the rules for deliberate, away-from-the-play fouls, but it did make a few modifications to deter teams from committing them as often. At least one team owner isn't happy about it.
Mark Cuban said he voted against the new rules, as the outspoken Dallas Mavericks owner feels they reward poor free throw shooters who are often on the receiving end of those fouls.
"Rewarding incompetence is never a good business strategy," Cuban told ESPN's Tim MacMahon.
Among three amended rules, an intentional foul away from the ball in the last two minutes of any quarter will result in a free throw and possession - a rule that used to exist only in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime.
Related: League announces changes to 'Hack-a-Shaq' rules
The strategy - dubbed "Hack-a-Shaq" for its prominent use against Shaquille O'Neal - is primarily utilized on poor shooting big men like DeAndre Jordan, Dwight Howard, and Andre Drummond.
One wonders if Cuban would still feel this strongly had his Mavericks been able to sign one of Jordan or Howard in the last two summers.