Friday, May 31, 2002
Shaq's attack: Cut fouls, hit free throws, go to basket
By DAVID DUPREE
USA TODAY
NBA writer David DuPree looks at what Sacramento has done to Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal and what he and his teammates need to do if they are to force a Game 7:
How the Kings are guarding him: Vlade Divac has the main assignment, and he has done a credible job. Sometimes he flops, and other times he digs in and bodies him up. He seldom fronts him. The Kings also drop a second and often a third defender down on O'Neal, and someone is always swiping at the ball whenever he puts it on the floor.
How they are attacking him: Divac is moving inside and outside, getting most of his calls against O'Neal when he drives. The other Kings also are taking the ball hard to the basket and challenging him. It's hard just to post him up. It's better to try to attack him with the ball, Kings coach Rick Adelman says.
What O'Neal can do: Keep going strong to the basket and be more selfish. Demand the ball and go to the hole with it. I'm just going to get the ball and take high percentage shots, O'Neal says. I'm going to play aggressive, and hopefully I get to do what everybody else is doing.
What his teammates can do: Play better perimeter defense and protect O'Neal better by not giving their men clear paths to the basket and leaving O'Neal with few defensive options.
O'Neal is getting to the free throw line less but sending others there more as the playoffs progress.
Sports Stories
Reds 4, Marlins 1
Reds box, runs
Surprising Reds still going... and going...
Reds call off talks with Shaw
Bowden dampens talk of possible blockbuster trade
Reds vs. Braves
Louisville 5, Richmond 2
Rays deny they're contraction target
See no evil, hear no evil...
NL roundup
AL roundup
Notes from Thursday's games
Top pick Jones is holding out - hope, that is
Colts owner buys helipad for home
Friendly foes Lakota West, Fairfield meet
Students dive into new sport
Colerain topples No. 2 Springfield South
Home run pushes Aves over hump in 3-1 victory
3 records fall at regionals
Midseason adjustment has St. X on title hunt
Surprising Milford, St. X set for rematch
Walnut Hills star Thomas chasing legendary Trabert
Waynesville makes most of its chance
Ohio track results
CovCath's Bogenschutz shuts down Pioneers
Day at state good for Pandas, rough for Colonels
Lawrence, Boone Co. reach Ninth final
St. Henry is upbeat going into state meet
Kentucky state tennis tournament
Baseball pairings
Softball pairings