By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
SportsBuzz24SportsBuzz24
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • MMA
  • Tennis
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Golf
  • Cricket
  • Blog
Notification Show More
SportsBuzz24SportsBuzz24
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • MMA
  • Tennis
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Golf
  • Cricket
  • Blog
Have an existing account? Sign In
SportsBuzz24 > Basketball > NBA star who missed 21 free throws in the final and still scored 40 points
BasketballLos Angeles LakersNBA LegendsNBA NewsShaquille O'NealWestern Conference

NBA star who missed 21 free throws in the final and still scored 40 points

Sports buzz 24
Share
3 Min Read
NBA star who missed 21 free throws in the final and still scored 40 points
SHARE

It’s often time to become an NBA superstar in the league. It is associated with scores at the elite level by the majority of fans.

Things like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant have created a great fanbase over their careers.

One of the things that really separates elite scorers from the rest is how unaffected they are by their opponent’s defensive strategies. Even if it’s at its biggest stage, it’s the NBA Finals.

That being said, let’s take a look at the NBA legend who scored 40 points in the final game despite missing 21 free throws.

Photo by Jamie Squire/All Sports/Getty Images

When Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal was at the height of his career, there was little the team could do to stop him.

After all, Shaq was a 7’1 monster, and the 1999-2000 season was undoubtedly the peak of his career. Despite being an incredible scorer, O’Neill had one weakness in his game: a free throw.

For example, O’Neal shot just 52.7% from the free throw line in 1,207 games in his career. With that in mind, the opponent came up with a strategy called “Hack-A-Shaq.”

The defensive strategy was to send O’Neals to the free throw line as much as possible during the game. Well, that’s what the Indiana Pacers did in Game 2 of the 2000 NBA Finals.

O’Neal attempted a game-high 39 free throw, missing 21 of which. But did it slow the diesel? Certainly not.

Shaq finished the game with 40 points and helped the Lakers register for a 111-104 victory as the Lakers led the Pacer 2-0. The only thing that did for the Pacers was that two players would foul out and the others would stack up a number of fouls.

Former Pacers star Mark Jackson praised Kobe for carrying the La Lakers to the 2000 NBA Championship, but O’Neill’s contribution cannot be overlooked.

In the six-game series, Shaq averaged unrealistic 38.0 points, 16.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. He also scored the most points (707) and rebounds (355) in the 2000 playoffs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vizffqfvaeo

Obviously, O’Neill won the NBA Finals MVP to close out a near-perfect season with the Lakers.

If you’re wondering, O’Neal won the NBA Championship, NBA Finals MVP, League MVP, Scoring Championship and All-Star Game MVP in 2000.

He averaged 29.7 points, 13.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per 3.8 games, leading the Lakers to a 67-win season.

TAGGED:BasketBallNBA star who missed 21 free throws in the final and still scored 40 points
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Might Also Like

There's no big hit trade market for the Atlanta Hawks $45.9 million star, insiders make predictions
Atlanta HawksBasketballEastern ConferenceNBA TradesTrae YoungZach Lowe

There’s no big hit trade market for the Atlanta Hawks $45.9 million star, insiders make predictions

By Sports buzz 24
The New York Knicks coaching candidate tried to trade with Mikal Bridges two years before he was fired."
BasketballEastern ConferenceMemphis GrizzliesMikal BridgesNBA NewsNew York KnicksTaylor Jenkins

The New York Knicks coaching candidate tried to trade with Mikal Bridges two years before he was fired.”

By Sports buzz 24
Rachel Nichols tells one All-Star player to forget his "loyalty" and demand a deal this summer.
BasketballDevin BookerNBA TradesPhoenix SunsRachel NicholsWestern Conference

Rachel Nichols tells one All-Star player to forget his “loyalty” and demand a deal this summer.

By Sports buzz 24
Jamal Crawford says OKC Thunder has a "hidden superstar" that doesn't earn him credibility
BasketballJamal CrawfordMark DaigneaultNBA NewsNBA PlayoffsOklahoma City ThunderWestern Conference

Jamal Crawford says OKC Thunder has a “hidden superstar” that doesn’t earn him credibility

By Sports buzz 24
sportsbuzz24
Facebook Twitter Pinterest
Topics
  • MMA
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • MMA
  • Tennis
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Golf
  • Cricket
  • Blog
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Cricket
  • Golf
  • Blog
  • Home
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • MMA
  • Tennis
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Golf
  • Cricket
  • Blog
Legal Pages
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
Editor's Choice
“Mineering Choice…”: Agent checks that 15-g/stars will settle the mind in Liverpool’s movement
With the threat of suspension looming, Draymond Green’s approach “is important to me…” ahead of the high-risk Rudygoat crash.
Check straight away: Sky Sports Reporter claims Liverpool’s move is only a matter of time
WTA Tour President Steve Simon is scheduled to retire in December

© 2024 All Rights Reserved | Powered by SportsBuzz24

Sign Up For Free

Subscribe to our newsletter and don't miss out on our programs, webinars and trainings.

Subscription Form

sportsbuzz24
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.
Subscription Form

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?