Blazers GM Neil Olshey on Hack-A-Shaq: 'It's more isolated than people want to believe'

Despite the frequency of "Hack-a-player," the strategy has few fans in the NBA because of its lack of entertainment value.

However, a rule to stop teams from intentionally fouling horrible free-throw shooters may be a hasty strategy, according to Neil Olshey.

The Portland Trail Blazers' general manager said in an interview with SiriusXM Radio that he believes that, although the constant hacking may interfere with the game's watchability, overall the problem is not as pervasive as people think. He pointed to the Western Conference semifinal series between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets where the Clips' DeAndre Jordan falls victim to "Hack-A-Jordan" more than not.

"Aesthetically, we do have an issue. But I think it's more isolated than people want to believe," Olshey said. "This doesn't go on all season. In the playoffs you have to do whatever you can ... I think it's a unique situation because you have two people that are vulnerable to this kind of strategy playing in the same series."

Olshey pointed to the other semifinal matchups, where hacking was not as prevalent, to make a case that a rule change may not be needed.

"I think when you look at Atlanta and Washington, we don't see it. I think when you look at Memphis and Golden State, you don't see it. So to throw the baby out with the bathwater because we happen to have to live through a matchup where this kind of strategy is being employed, I think is premature."

The Blazers GM brought up that Clips' Blake Griffin also used to be a victim of intentional fouling, but he used resources made available by the team to improve his free-throw shooting, turning him into an undesirable target.

"To legislate against a player having issues with one specific skill, it's a slippery slope," said Olshey.