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Clippers: How will new ‘Hack-a-Shaq’ rules impact L.A.?

By Pete D. Camarillo

Oct 20, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (left) talks with Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (right) during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (left) talks with Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (right) during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA rule changes could affect teams using the “Hack-A-Jordan” Strategy versus the Clippers and more.

The NBA announced changes to the away-from-the-play foul rules, which could change how the Clippers operate.

Previously, an intentional foul away-from-the-play during the last two minutes of a game resulted in a free throw and possession of the ball for the team getting hacked. Now, the current rule extends to the last two minutes of each period.

For the Clippers, this means DeAndre Jordan earns more protection throughout the game. He can now play the end of quarters without worrying about getting hacked and missing free throws. Jordan shot 8.6 free throws per game last year, but only made an average of 43 percent from the line.

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Last season, Jordan was intentionally fouled 142 times. 49 of those hacks occurred during the last two minutes of the quarter. Under the new rules, 46 of those attempts are illegal and result in free throws for Jordan.

Teams relied on hacking Jordan to slow down the All-NBA and All-Defensive center who averaged a career-high 12.7 points per game on a 70.3 field goal percentage. Jordan took 115 trips to the free throw line following an intentional foul last year. Thirty-eight of those came at the end of a quarter, which could dip as Los Angeles gets possession after the free throw.

Another rule adjustment changes the inbound play. During inbound situations, a defensive foul at any point before the ball is inbounded will be called the same as an away-from-the-play-foul during the last two minutes of any period.

Again, the Clippers get new freedom for usage of Jordan. Los Angeles will not have to limit Jordan to being the inbound man for critical inbound plays. They can use him for screening and rebounding purposes, without worrying about teams intentionally fouling Jordan away from the ball.

Teams can still use the “Hack-a-Jordan” strategy through the first ten minutes of the game, but they can not use it on inbounds or at the end of quarters.

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Flagrant fouls were also revised. If a player jumps on an opponent’s back for a deliberate foul, this will be called an automatic flagrant foul. In the past, this was subject to a flagrant call, but it was not automatic. A flagrant foul is equal to a technical foul.

This rule change could hurt or help the Clippers. Los Angeles only had two flagrant fouls all of last season. Still, Chris Paul and Jordan ranked towards the top of technical fouls in the association.

Obviously, this should limit fouls that jeopardize players’ safety across the league. However, this could hurt the Clippers or any team trying to protect the basket. A player may earn a technical foul automatically for a foul that is not overly aggressive.

Either way, this flagrant strategy should help keep the Clippers healthy more than hurt them.

Added, Commissioner Adam Silver admitted the changes are more of a compromise than a shift away from hacking.

Next: Clippers trading C.J. Wlicox

Doc Rivers has admitted that hacking is a good strategy when the team is up because it prevents an opponent from catching up. Therefore, it will be interesting to see if these rules change how the Clippers play other teams.

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