Drummond Free throw Fix? Virtual Reality?

[Todd3]

If stage fright is the issue he should be practicing in front of crowds, so when he gets to the game he's used to it.

Perhaps the virtual reality has actual game-like backgrounds, so it feels like he's practicing with 20k people screaming at him. If that's the case, I could definitely see this being an effective method.

[Pharaoh]

Its mostly a psychological issue and practice actually makes a bad FT shooter worse. If anyone hasn't read the article below, must read for every Pistons fan.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/17115866/real-root-nba-intentional-foul-epidemic

"This is a misunderstanding," he said. "Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanent."

An Andre Drummond free throw is like a snowflake; no two attempts are the same -- which is a problem. He struggles at releasing from the same spot on the floor each time.

For an average shooter, 80 percent of their shots start from within a five-inch zone. For Drummond, that zone is over a foot wide (14 inches). He also struggles with hitting the target.

A horizontal angular release of zero means the shot is aimed directly at the hoop. However, 80 percent of Drummmond's shots fall within a range of 5.64 degrees.

Andre Drummond is the least consistent big man in releasing from the same spot on the floor (left to right), and he launches it at a super-high angle (55.5 degrees, fourth-highest among big men).

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/17115866/real-root-nba-intentional-foul-epidemic

The VR-stuff is an interesting and innovative approach, how knows if it will work but i am glad they are trying something different because the classic approach obviously doesn't work.

Great article and the quotes about Dre show it's as much a mechanical issue as a mental one.

[hoophabit]

Gospel! Least consistent release point and FT shooter in the league. Connection? You be the judge.

We are at that last pause before there is actual play. Drummond with a 50% FT is a dominant player. Warts and all, he was a load last year. It's happy times if this young man gets it figured out. Seems like a nice guy, easy to root for. Seems like all Pistons fans would?

I can't think of a bigger ?, though SJ's 2nd year is big for this franchise too.

[Spider156]

You know the worst part is even if he does the granny shot, it doesn't mean he'll be a better FT shooter. If it's in the mind, what does it matter how he's shooting it? I just figured over time you get used to it and not give a **** about it anymore taking into consideration that you're dominant on other facets of the game. Once you start not caring, what do people usually say when they stop looking for a girlfriend? Omg I found her when I least expected it! Same BS, same psychology. He needs to just stop caring and do his thing and that comes with age or an attitude. Talent will get you 70-80%, not giving a **** will get you 50-60

[zeebneeb]

Gospel! Least consistent release point and FT shooter in the league. Connection? You be the judge.

We are at that last pause before there is actual play. Drummond with a 50% FT is a dominant player. Warts and all, he was a load last year. It's happy times if this young man gets it figured out. Seems like a nice guy, easy to root for. Seems like all Pistons fans would?

I can't think of a bigger ?, though SJ's 2nd year is big for this franchise too.

If Drummond gets to 50%, holy hell. He holds back alot from just going thru players from fear if getting fouled. We've all seen him just throw people around like a rag doll when he gets pissed off (whiteside, KAT, e.t.c) Andre is just a massive dude, and with very little fear of getting fouled? You could see him truly beast. No other player can match his size and strength and speed. It's already absurd.

I'm hopefull as hell. If he hits 50%, I'm looking at 20+ppg. 15+ rebounds. That's a **** Monster.

Plus he just gets unleashed. Good luck guarding that NBA.

[hoophabit]

Well, the facts will soon come clear, but this was interesting:
http://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/andre-drummond-says-hes-dropped-20-pounds-will-win-rebounding-title-again/

[tmorgan]

I know we argued about this last year, but I'm pretty sure he played last season at 300-310 pounds. I know it sounds like a ton, but he's just so large through the hips and thighs that it doesn't mean he was fat, just bulkier than he needed to be. His athleticism is otherworldly, allowing him to jump, react, and run at an elite level despite his size -- kind of like a gigantic version of Barkley.

If he's down to 280-290 now (or whatever 20 pounds less is), maybe we'll get to see more of the quick roll action we saw a lot of in his first couple of years.