Theory why Gronk hack-a-shaq is good, well, sorta, almost ...

[lurker1965]

Granted, this is squinting hard to see the silver lining.

Oh this is about the "Hack-a-Shaq" that appears to be the new way to defend Gronk, not his OPI targeting.

In the playoffs where refs tend, even if ever so slightly, to let them play it can't get worse and Gronk is getting practice against it.

 

[NYPatsFan]

I don't see any upside to this. The hack-a-Shaq strategy wouldn't have been nearly as effective if Shaq was even a 65% free throw shooter.

In Gronk's case, he is getting mugged and there is no call. Worse than that, Gronk is being called for offensive fouls quite often.

 

[aluminum seats]

It's the opposite of the hack-a-shaq, btw. There, opponents are willing to take the penalty to combat the player's offense. In this case "Shaq" is getting called for the penalty.