No changes to Hack-a-Shaq yet: Silver

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday no changes are coming to combat the `Hack-a-Shaq' tactic this season, though he seems to favour some rule adjustment.

With the deliberate fouling of poor free-throw shooters away from the ball becoming more prevalent this season - with stars including LA Clippers' centre DeAndre Jordan and even Australian big man Andrew Bogut targeted at the end of games - many have called for a rule change to end the strategy, which has risen dramatically this season.

With no consensus within the NBA about what it would entail, the NBA commissioner seems to be taking it upon himself to come up with something.

"So I think it's my job right now to at least formulate an alternative together with the competition committee to ultimately bring to our board of governors," Silver said.

"I'm beginning to feel that a change needs to be made. And that comes in response to conversations with our network partners. It comes in response to fan data that we look at.

"We're constantly surveying our fans to get their sense of what they see out on the floor. I'm talking to players and general managers, and our owners of course."

Change would be difficult, because though some coaches say they hate using the strategy, they clearly believe it can be effective.

Silver said league data shows it is being used at a 5 1/2 times greater rate than last season.

Silver said a rule change would require approval by 20 of the league's 30 teams.

"So we're nowhere near that point where we're even starting to count heads," Silver said.

"And I think there is a reason when the constitution and bylaws were written of the NBA that those founders decided that it should take two-thirds of teams to change a rule. I think it should be a very deliberate process."

Silver believes owners will consider it at their April meeting with the hope of having something to vote on during their July meeting.