Steelers DC compares opponents' T.J. Watt strategy to old methods against NBA legend

The methods used on the hardwood seemed to work for years as opponents took advantage of the three-time NBA Finals MVP's well-known struggles at the free throw line.

One of the most famous instances of "Hack-a-Shaq" came in 2008 when San Antonio Spurs Hall of Fame head coach Gregg Popovich pranked O'Neal immediately after he won a game-opening (and season-opening) tip-off. This came after the big man's offseason criticism of Popovich for using the strategy in the previous spring's playoffs.

Though he's still only 29 years old and seems to be in the middle of his prime, Watt seems like a lock for future enshrinement into his sport's Hall of Fame, like O'Neal.

The 2017 first-round pick has made five consecutive Pro Bowls and is surely headed for another one this season. Watt earned three straight First-Team All-Pro honors from 2019-2021 and likely would've secured another nod in 2022 if not for a torn pectoral muscle that cost him seven games.

The Wisconsin product placed third in the 2019 AP Defensive Player of the Year voting and was the runner-up in 2020 before winning the hardware in 2021.

Watt led the NFL in forced fumbles (eight) in 2019 and led the league in sacks (15) and tackles for loss (23) in 2020. Watt again paced the league in sacks (22.5) and tackles for loss (21) during his Defensive Player of the Year campaign.

He was the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for September this season and ranks second in the NFL this year in sacks (14).

One of the key things O'Neal has that Watt doesn't is a championship ring. Shaq captured four NBA titles across his 19-year career, while Watt is 0-3 in his playoff career thus far.