[JDB12Participant]

 How does any NBA player shoot below 65% from the free throw line. I don’t understand it. I’m watching this LA Clippers game and DeAndre Jordan isn’t even close on half of his attempts! YOUR LIFE IS BASKETBALL! How don’t you just sit in the gym for an hour per day shooting free throws and improving! In DeAndre’s case, it’s not like he has good post moves and works on that in practice. And a player like Shaq could have averaged between 5 and 8 points per game more if he shot close to 80% from the free throw line! I don’t understand it! My 11 year old sister can barely make it to the basket from the free throw line and she would still shoot better than 50%! It’s so frustrating to watch professionals who can’t do one of the most simple aspects of the game.

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

 It doesnt work like that (go to the gym shoot free throws get better)… some people just freak out when they are on the island by themselves and dont have confidence in their shot. Sure shooting is repetition and form and all that good stuff, but just as much as that shooting is your confidence and how confident you are, it is more mental rather then him not putting in the work.

[herceg_bukuParticipant]

 It doesnt work like that (go to the gym shoot free throws get better)… some people just freak out when they are on the island by themselves and dont have confidence in their shot. Sure shooting is repetition and form and all that good stuff, but just as much as that shooting is your confidence and how confident you are, it is more mental rather then him not putting in the work.

[MopgrassParticipant]

Some people literally don’t have the dexterity. Sometimes nothing they can do will change that. I agree that there are some players who don’t put in the work. Still some of these guys work real hard with little improvement. I know we all like to believe if you work hard enough, you’ll achieve your goal. Not always. 

Some people are physically limited. Saying everyone should should hit 65% is like saying every player should have a 38 inch vertical. Some guys, no matter how hard they try, will never get that. We’re talking about physical limitations. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

Some people literally don’t have the dexterity. Sometimes nothing they can do will change that. I agree that there are some players who don’t put in the work. Still some of these guys work real hard with little improvement. I know we all like to believe if you work hard enough, you’ll achieve your goal. Not always. 

Some people are physically limited. Saying everyone should should hit 65% is like saying every player should have a 38 inch vertical. Some guys, no matter how hard they try, will never get that. We’re talking about physical limitations. 

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Shaq was well documented being one of the laziest players during his Career.. I remember a few gms saying if Shaq actually worked on his game hed be the best center of all time without argument, I dont blame Shaq for not working on his game because he was rarely challenged by any center during his prime..

Now on to DeAndre Jordan.. My first encounter with DeAndre Jordan was when I was 17 at EA sports roundball classic private practice at DePauls practice facility, I was floored by the potential he had.. He was great in transition had great size and looked like a future lottery pick had he put in the work.. I use to sit next to Sonny Vaccaro during these practices and he was also very impressed.. obviously DeAndre didnt become a lottery pick and obviously never really took the game as serious as he should being a professional, never developed a low post game and never worked to fix his problems at the line, its a shame because when he was coming out of HS i thought he was going to be one of the best big men in the league by now..

[Robb_CParticipant]

 Shaq was well documented being one of the laziest players during his Career.. I remember a few gms saying if Shaq actually worked on his game hed be the best center of all time without argument, I dont blame Shaq for not working on his game because he was rarely challenged by any center during his prime..

Now on to DeAndre Jordan.. My first encounter with DeAndre Jordan was when I was 17 at EA sports roundball classic private practice at DePauls practice facility, I was floored by the potential he had.. He was great in transition had great size and looked like a future lottery pick had he put in the work.. I use to sit next to Sonny Vaccaro during these practices and he was also very impressed.. obviously DeAndre didnt become a lottery pick and obviously never really took the game as serious as he should being a professional, never developed a low post game and never worked to fix his problems at the line, its a shame because when he was coming out of HS i thought he was going to be one of the best big men in the league by now..

[JDB12Participant]

 Saying someone should have a 38 inch vertical is not the same as shooting free throws… Yes, some people don’t have as much dexterity and touch as others. If you go into the gym and shoot free throw after free throw you will get better. And for NBA players, every single one of them is coordinated enough to shoot free throws at a decent level. Not to mention they have all of the technique and mental toughness coaches that they want. It simply is a matter of putting in the work and getting the right help.

[JDB12Participant]

 Saying someone should have a 38 inch vertical is not the same as shooting free throws… Yes, some people don’t have as much dexterity and touch as others. If you go into the gym and shoot free throw after free throw you will get better. And for NBA players, every single one of them is coordinated enough to shoot free throws at a decent level. Not to mention they have all of the technique and mental toughness coaches that they want. It simply is a matter of putting in the work and getting the right help.

[MopgrassParticipant]

Saying that “some people don’t have as much dexterity and touch as others” exactly contradicts the idea that “every single one of them is coordinated enough to shoot free throws at a decent level.”

If you go into a gym every day and shoot 1,000 free throws a day, you will improve… to a point. You eventually hit a threshold that you never go over. Some of these professionals, be it a physical or mental issue, will never hit 65% no matter how many free throws they shoot. For some (not all) it isn’t an issue of putting in more work. They’re as good as they can get.

A lot of big guys have great gross motor skills (large muscle movements) and poor fine motor skills (small muscle groups… like moving fingers). Olnyk has great fine motor skills, DeAndre has great gross motor skills.

Not everyone is the same. It actually makes the game fun.

[MopgrassParticipant]

Saying that “some people don’t have as much dexterity and touch as others” exactly contradicts the idea that “every single one of them is coordinated enough to shoot free throws at a decent level.”

If you go into a gym every day and shoot 1,000 free throws a day, you will improve… to a point. You eventually hit a threshold that you never go over. Some of these professionals, be it a physical or mental issue, will never hit 65% no matter how many free throws they shoot. For some (not all) it isn’t an issue of putting in more work. They’re as good as they can get.

A lot of big guys have great gross motor skills (large muscle movements) and poor fine motor skills (small muscle groups… like moving fingers). Olnyk has great fine motor skills, DeAndre has great gross motor skills.

Not everyone is the same. It actually makes the game fun.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

This is a good point. I don’t think 60-65% could be the limit for a shot were you go unmaked. I understand this could happen with post moves and other things that required more coordination. This FT issue is probably more of a confidence thing.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

This is a good point. I don’t think 60-65% could be the limit for a shot were you go unmaked. I understand this could happen with post moves and other things that required more coordination. This FT issue is probably more of a confidence thing.

[tuck243Participant]

Both Shaq and DeAndre have/had shooting coaches (IT’S THE NBA). I’m sure they put up a ton of free throws in practice and the off season.. Also, DJ isn’t known to be a slacker in working on his game. I’ve said this before, DJ in the preseason a few years back was actually looking like a go-to player. In fact, I would’ve said his back to the basket game was more under control than Blake’s. Someone who DJ works out with in the summer (look it up). Going to Dallas IMO could’ve been better for his personal career. He’s actually averaging LESS shots this year than last year and they deceived him into believing he would have a "bigger role" in the offense. smh…

But to this thread and posters…. I don’t understand how guys who’ve NEVER played professional ball is able to call someone like DeAndre Jordan lazy. I simply don’t get it… Shooting 6 out of 10 free throws isn’t something that anyone with "motivation" can do. So PLEASE stop with the "my little sister can do that". It’s not even an educated guess… Actually, that statement alone is misogynistic…. Anyway….

I think big men have historically been bad at free throws because they’re bigger and stronger.. The ball is like a damn miniature ball to them and it’s hard to shoot (I shoot better with a bigger ball than a small one). So, please stop questioning someone’s character when you don’t TRULY know what they’re doing/not doing.  The facts to DeAndre Jordan and Shaq is BOTH had shooting coaches.  Both have put up a number of freethrows (probably more than you and I combine) AND still aren’t good at free throws.   Damn, people can have flaws that doesn’t make them lazy… 

[tuck243Participant]

Both Shaq and DeAndre have/had shooting coaches (IT’S THE NBA). I’m sure they put up a ton of free throws in practice and the off season.. Also, DJ isn’t known to be a slacker in working on his game. I’ve said this before, DJ in the preseason a few years back was actually looking like a go-to player. In fact, I would’ve said his back to the basket game was more under control than Blake’s. Someone who DJ works out with in the summer (look it up). Going to Dallas IMO could’ve been better for his personal career. He’s actually averaging LESS shots this year than last year and they deceived him into believing he would have a "bigger role" in the offense. smh…

But to this thread and posters…. I don’t understand how guys who’ve NEVER played professional ball is able to call someone like DeAndre Jordan lazy. I simply don’t get it… Shooting 6 out of 10 free throws isn’t something that anyone with "motivation" can do. So PLEASE stop with the "my little sister can do that". It’s not even an educated guess… Actually, that statement alone is misogynistic…. Anyway….

I think big men have historically been bad at free throws because they’re bigger and stronger.. The ball is like a damn miniature ball to them and it’s hard to shoot (I shoot better with a bigger ball than a small one). So, please stop questioning someone’s character when you don’t TRULY know what they’re doing/not doing.  The facts to DeAndre Jordan and Shaq is BOTH had shooting coaches.  Both have put up a number of freethrows (probably more than you and I combine) AND still aren’t good at free throws.   Damn, people can have flaws that doesn’t make them lazy… 

[bumbleb33Participant]

 Go read phil jackson’s book. He says Shaq couldnt shoot free throws cos he didnt have the patience to work on them. In fact, for one season when he practiced everyday he actually shot 60%. Then his work ethic returned to normal and he dropped below 50% for the rest of his career.

Deandre Jordan is just not a skilled player. He is in this league cos of athleticism alone. I’m not surprised he cant shoot free throws. Just because you have a shooting coach dosent mean you are doing all you can. Shaq was known to shoot 80% in practice so much of it was mental as well. 

 

 

[bumbleb33Participant]

 Go read phil jackson’s book. He says Shaq couldnt shoot free throws cos he didnt have the patience to work on them. In fact, for one season when he practiced everyday he actually shot 60%. Then his work ethic returned to normal and he dropped below 50% for the rest of his career.

Deandre Jordan is just not a skilled player. He is in this league cos of athleticism alone. I’m not surprised he cant shoot free throws. Just because you have a shooting coach dosent mean you are doing all you can. Shaq was known to shoot 80% in practice so much of it was mental as well. 

 

 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 Some big guys hands are so big its like trying to shoot a volly ball or even a tennis ball in the hoop. Go out and try shooting one of those and see if you shoot better than %65…

That being said, i do agree with you. I dont understand why you wouldnt try banking it in or even do the old granny shot. 

 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

 Some big guys hands are so big its like trying to shoot a volly ball or even a tennis ball in the hoop. Go out and try shooting one of those and see if you shoot better than %65…

That being said, i do agree with you. I dont understand why you wouldnt try banking it in or even do the old granny shot. 

 

[bumbleb33Participant]

 That’s no excuse. MJ, kawhi, Giannis all have huge hands and have no problem shooting free throws or jumpshots. Euro centers who rely on skill rather than pure athleticism also have no problem at the free throw line. All it takes is work. Blake as a 50% shooter coming out of college, now he shoots 70%+

[bumbleb33Participant]

 That’s no excuse. MJ, kawhi, Giannis all have huge hands and have no problem shooting free throws or jumpshots. Euro centers who rely on skill rather than pure athleticism also have no problem at the free throw line. All it takes is work. Blake as a 50% shooter coming out of college, now he shoots 70%+

[JDB12Participant]

 It doesn’t contradict it because I’m agreeing that not everyone has the same level of dexterity and coordination. But everyone in the NBA has enought of both to shoot free throws at a decent level if the right amount of work is put in. Obviously someone like Kevin Durant is more coordinated than DeAndre Jordan, but DeAndre is still a pretty coordinated guy. You don’t make it to the NBA if you’re completely uncoordinated.

[JDB12Participant]

 It doesn’t contradict it because I’m agreeing that not everyone has the same level of dexterity and coordination. But everyone in the NBA has enought of both to shoot free throws at a decent level if the right amount of work is put in. Obviously someone like Kevin Durant is more coordinated than DeAndre Jordan, but DeAndre is still a pretty coordinated guy. You don’t make it to the NBA if you’re completely uncoordinated.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I never played at an elite level like the NBA but I can tell you from personal experience that there is a huge difference between shooting free throws alone by yourself in a gym and in a game with everyone watching you. Everything just feels different when you add that element of pressure. I always considered myself a very good shooter and put in countless hours alone by myself in the gym and at the park working on my stroke. I could routinely hit 10-20 free throws in a row just shooting by myself but was never really a good foul shooter in game situations and I used to dread going to the line. I would much rather shoot a contested three in the flow of the game than a foul shot.

There are plenty of guys with pretty decent shooting strokes that struggle at the line anyway. Look at someone like Bruce Bowen or even Nick Anderson for awhile in his career. When you don’t shoot with confidence it is extremely difficult to be consistent. I actually don’t think Jordan has absolutely terrible form (its light years better than shaqs ever was). He just doesn’t have confidence and never will unless he starts making fts consistently. 

 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 Well-said. I was the same way.

[Andrew1984Participant]

 Well-said. I was the same way.

[ChoppyParticipant]

 From everything I’ve read on the pistons websites I hear that Drummond is the same. In practice he shoots well above 50% from the stripe, but put him in a game situation and he more often than not crumbles in a heap. It’s a shame, because with free throws he’d be damn near unstoppable. 

Josh Smith is the one with inexcusable numbers from the charity stripe. He should shoot much better.

[ChoppyParticipant]

 From everything I’ve read on the pistons websites I hear that Drummond is the same. In practice he shoots well above 50% from the stripe, but put him in a game situation and he more often than not crumbles in a heap. It’s a shame, because with free throws he’d be damn near unstoppable. 

Josh Smith is the one with inexcusable numbers from the charity stripe. He should shoot much better.

[circumlocution75Participant]

 returns to LSU & he & Dale Brown reminisce…. & Brown actually asks Shaq about his free throw "issues"….. It’s actually a very funny scene….. Brown figured that Shaq struggled at the line b/c his hands were so big… But Shaq says that was not it…..

 Shaq said he laughs & jokes b/c he grew up in a physically violent home w/ his step father (who he loves very much) but it made him a "people pleaser"….. And during games, when he would go to the free throw line, he would get so nervous that he was going to disappoint the fans he would actually tense up…. & then he would miss that 1st free throw…..

 & at this point Shaq actually imitates frustrated fans throwing tantrums behind the basket (it’s hysterical)…… & it would make him that much more nervous….. & he would tense up more & more until it got to the point that every time he was fouled he was panicking before he even got to the foul line….. 

So I think Dazzl Dunks is right on the money….

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 returns to LSU & he & Dale Brown reminisce…. & Brown actually asks Shaq about his free throw "issues"….. It’s actually a very funny scene….. Brown figured that Shaq struggled at the line b/c his hands were so big… But Shaq says that was not it…..

 Shaq said he laughs & jokes b/c he grew up in a physically violent home w/ his step father (who he loves very much) but it made him a "people pleaser"….. And during games, when he would go to the free throw line, he would get so nervous that he was going to disappoint the fans he would actually tense up…. & then he would miss that 1st free throw…..

 & at this point Shaq actually imitates frustrated fans throwing tantrums behind the basket (it’s hysterical)…… & it would make him that much more nervous….. & he would tense up more & more until it got to the point that every time he was fouled he was panicking before he even got to the foul line….. 

So I think Dazzl Dunks is right on the money….

 

[CynthiaParticipant]

It’s very true, most of it is completely mental. I think those people holding the thunder sticks don’t realize how much they really do affect some players at the line.

While I never played on any significant level of basketball I was a pretty good shooter, if I was even slightly open my shot was going in, yet I was dreadful on the free throw line, and most of the time it was because I psyched myself out. I had a better FG% than FT%.

[CynthiaParticipant]

It’s very true, most of it is completely mental. I think those people holding the thunder sticks don’t realize how much they really do affect some players at the line.

While I never played on any significant level of basketball I was a pretty good shooter, if I was even slightly open my shot was going in, yet I was dreadful on the free throw line, and most of the time it was because I psyched myself out. I had a better FG% than FT%.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I never played at an elite level like the NBA but I can tell you from personal experience that there is a huge difference between shooting free throws alone by yourself in a gym and in a game with everyone watching you. Everything just feels different when you add that element of pressure. I always considered myself a very good shooter and put in countless hours alone by myself in the gym and at the park working on my stroke. I could routinely hit 10-20 free throws in a row just shooting by myself but was never really a good foul shooter in game situations and I used to dread going to the line. I would much rather shoot a contested three in the flow of the game than a foul shot.

There are plenty of guys with pretty decent shooting strokes that struggle at the line anyway. Look at someone like Bruce Bowen or even Nick Anderson for awhile in his career. When you don’t shoot with confidence it is extremely difficult to be consistent. I actually don’t think Jordan has absolutely terrible form (its light years better than shaqs ever was). He just doesn’t have confidence and never will unless he starts making fts consistently. 

 

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