Rockets Open to Using “Hack-a-Dwight” in Tuesday’s Game

There is no question the Los Angeles Lakers struggles from the free-throw line and their star center Dwight Howard is shooting a horrendous 46.5 percent from the line.

If Howard has time to operate inside the paint, there is a great chance that he will end up getting an easy two points for the Lakers. However, once Howard steps to the free-throw line his effectiveness takes a great dip. Often times opponents opt to intentionally foul Howard so that he is forced to shoot free throws inside of getting inside position near the basket.

The Orlando Magic used the tactic, now known as “Hack-a-Dwight” at Staples Center on Sunday en route to their stunning victory. In the Lakers’ 113-102 loss the Magic, Howard made only nine of this 21 free-throw attempts and the team’s offense became stagnant.

—- Show off your team pride with your own Lakers Nation t-shirt! —-

The Lakers play the Houston Rockets today in their first of three road games, and according to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets will intentionally foul Howard if they find it necessary. Rockets acting head coach Kelvin Sampson knows that the tactic has proven to be effective for other teams and if it helps him beat the Lakers, he has no problem using “Hack-a-Dwight.”

“Even when I was in Milwaukee, we did it,” Sampson said. “If you have a choice between giving him a dunk or wrapping him up, that’s an easy decision. Make him make his free throws. We’ve done that with other players, too. I remember when we were in Milwaukee, we beat Dallas one time playing hack-a-Brendan (Haywood). I’m sure teams in the past played hack-a-Omer (Asik). Omer’s kind of slid out of the hack-a category, though. He’s started to make his free throws.”

However, at the end of the day, Howard is the person that decides whether or not the intentional foul tactic proves effective for the opponent or not. The only way to stop the “Hack-a-Dwight” is if Howard knocks down his free-throws. Howard claims that he is improving from the free-throw line, but he is not showing it during games. Hitting free-throws in practice is completely different than hitting the shots in an arena in front of thousands of fans.

The Lakers have been struggling as of late and they need Howard to perform well tonight against the feisty Rockets.

You May Also Like

Lakers Video: Elgin Baylor Humbled By Statue, Suggests Possible Design

Nearly three months before they will immortalize in the form of a bronze statue, the Los Angeles Lakers welcomed…

Lakers Rumors: L.A. Re-Signs Forward Metta World Peace

With training camp only days away, the Los Angeles Lakers are filling out their roster with different players who will be competing for a final roster spot…

Lakers News: LeBron James Says ‘A Small Piece Of Me Left’ After Tom Brady Announced Retirement

Numerous parallels can be drawn between the illustrious careers of NFL legend Tom Brady and Los Angeles Lakers superstar…

Phil Handy Pleased With How Lakers Have Competed In First Two California Classic Summer League Games

After two blowout victories for the Los Angeles Lakers in the California Classic Summer League, the Purple and Gold…