Shaq’s Shorts and Shots Draw League Scrutiny

The NBA is measuring Shaquille O’Neal’s free throws and shorts, for form and accuracy.

O’Neal’s tendency to step into the lane early during his free throws has drawn complaints from other teams, notably the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. Maverick owner Mark Cuban piled on, comparing the O’Neal free throw to that of a 10-year-old.

Referees were notified by NBA Senior Vice President Stu Jackson to watch for the violation, and Laker coaches have informed O’Neal.

O’Neal usually speaks highly of Cuban, because the owner treats his players well, speaks his mind and refuses to fall in line with old-school ownership. Asked why he thought Cuban would challenge him, O’Neal smiled and said, “Because he likes me, and he can’t have me. He’s just trying to pump their game up.”

Phoenix coaches were heard complaining about O’Neal’s free-throw form, the latest of which has him stumbling into the lane after pushing his shot toward the rim. Occasionally, his foot touches beyond the line before the ball hits the rim.

“It’s nit-picking,” Laker Coach Phil Jackson said.

Often, the Lakers try to avoid the subject of O’Neal’s free throws, because the added public scrutiny often results compounds O’Neal’s discomfort at the line. Now that the referees are involved, Jackson said, O’Neal could become more bothered, and then more inaccurate. Through his first nine games, he converted 58.3% of his free throws, half-a-point higher than his career average.

“It could,” Jackson said. “But, I don’t think it will.”

O’Neal also was among those fined by the NBA for wearing his shorts below the knee. He and Kobe Bryant were docked $5,000, as were Clippers Eric Piatkowski, Quentin Richardson and Jeff McInnis, Orlando’s Tracy McGrady and Denver’s Nick Van Exel.

Thinking back on a span in which he was fined by Jackson, warned to watch his free throws and fined for his clothing, O’Neal grinned and said, “I guess this is [mess] with Shaq week.”

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