Shaq's Free Throw Troubles: Enough

Let's stop the insanity, ok?

I mean, this isn't something new - it has been going on since the early 90's, when Shaq first stepped out into the NBA spotlight. Here was this physical anomaly, a seven footer with the agility of a gazelle. He could muscle you inside and dunk on you. And just to add insult to injury, he would tear down your goal post.

But destruction would also tend to fall from the skies whenever O'neal was at the free throw line. Small childern were unable to get out of the way, crying, running for shelter whenever he shot free throws. It got so bad at one point that the Lakers decided to put up netting used in field goal attempts for football games behind the baskets to protect the fans. I mean, LA wasn't using anything football related anyway, right?

Fine - I embellished a little there. But the fact is Shaq has ALWAYS been a bad free throw shooter. So, why all of the sudden is everyone so uptight about it?

I was watching Game 1 of the Finals at the AAA - seeing as that was the closest I was going to get to actually GOING to a Finals game. Every time Shaq would go to shoot free throws, people would get upset when he missed. Visibly, too.

Clank; growl. Brick; moan. I mean, I thought it was a little ridiculous when people started taking shots every time he hit a free throw. And starting wagering on each attempt. (I got $20 - thanks Shaq for hitting that last free throw attempt!)

What people don't seem to get though is that it really isn't about whether or not Shaq makes his free throws, but that he gets FTAs (free throw attempts).

Why is this significant? Because someone has to foul Shaq to put him on the line.

The Mavs have two guys they are going to defend Shaq with - Diop and Dampier. That means, they have 12 fouls to give, and that is it. If Shaq gets 10 FTAs, that is 5 fouls right there. Only 7 more to give.

Yet, that isn't even the whole story. If the Mavs are fouling Shaq, they are edging ever closer to getting their team into the penalty - which means the Heat get FTAs every time the Mavs foul.

So a Wade drive to the basket? FTAs. A Gary Payton post up move? FTAs. Jason Williams crossover? FTAs. Antoine Walker's patented barrel move with results in catapult action layup? FTAs.

It doesn't even matter if they make those shots. All that matters is that Shaq sets the tone inside, the Mavs have to foul him to put him on the line and prevent him from getting easy baskets. The Mavericks get into the penalty with their indulgence in fouling, and the Heat players then benefit. They just have to drive towards the basket, draw contact, and they are shooting free throws.

Of course, the Heat have to make them. But this also enables the Heat opportunities to score without the clock moving, without worrying about turning the ball over, without injury.

This is the key to the Heat's offensive engine - driving into the painted area and scoring. If they don't score, at least draw fouls in order to put them on the line.

Shaq is the key. It isn't about whether or not Shaq makes his free throws. It is about him setting up his teammates to make theirs.