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Pistons News: Andre Drummond improving his free-throws; KCP extension talks expected to resume in September; Roundball One taken out of service

Andre Drummond, Stan Van Gundy optimistic that new free-throw strategy will improve his shooting numbers

Fresh off of signing a max contract that will keep the Big Penguin in Motown for the next five years, Drummond revealed that he has been working on his free-throws, and has found a working strategy. Per Vince Ellis at the Detroit Free Press:

"I'm not worried about that," Drummond said. "At the end of the day, I still got to rise up and make free throws. We've tried different things, we've found something that works and I'm going to stick with it when the season starts and just roll with it."

After a recent change to the rules surrounding intentional fouling failed to impress many, it seems as though Pistons fans may not have to dread seeing Hack-A-Dre in the near future. Whilst both Andre and Stan were secretive as to what the particular strategy was (Is Hypnowheel going to be sitting on the sidelines? Could Chinanu Onuaku have some company?), it will probably be different to the one he tried out last summer, when SVG believed his star centre could "start pushing 60%" from the line. However, it wasn't to be, with Dre converting a career-low 35% of his freebies last season. That being said, Stan definitely thinks that this latest strategy could be the one that sticks:

"I'm really optimistic that he's going to come back and shoot free throws a lot better," Van Gundy said. "He's always put time in, but it's more than time now. It's a different focus and trying some different things, which he's been willing to do."

We're likely to hear more about what his new strategy is as training camp, media day and eventually pre-season play roll around in a few months, but until then share your thoughts about what it could be in the comment section below!

Pistons, KCP expected to resume contract extension talks in September

With the Pistons' free agency finally finalized, Pope remains the only name left on the team's "to-do" list, but it seems as though we won't find out how the negotiations are faring until a lot close to the start of the season. Detroit has until end of October to reach an agreement with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope regarding the shooting guard's contract extension, and as MLive's David Mayo reports, after initial conversations between both parties fizzled out, they intend to re-discuss the matter in September.

"With everything going on, draft, free agency, and then everybody needs a break, there's no reason that we need to go on that right now," Stan Van Gundy, Pistons president of basketball operations and head coach, said. "We've got plenty of time. They know that we're interested in trying to do something and they know that we'll talk, and that's just sort of where we left it."

Pope has been relatively nonchalant about his contract extension, previously saying he was more concerned with improving his game than negotiating his next contract. DBB's own Justin Lambregtse broke down the contract situation very well in his own piece earlier this week, prompting a debate on what exactly the Georgia product could fetch on the open market, and how much the Pistons should offer him. As Mayo notes, KCP seems more than willing to bet on himself, and he should, with the cap rising he could be able to cash in, evident in some of the ridiculous contracts that have already been offered this summer. However, it seems we won't know how much the team is willing to invest in him until September at the earliest.

Pistons to fly via charter after taking its' team plane, Roundball One, out of service

Its the end of an era! The Pistons' very own private jet, Roundball One, has flown the team around for the last time, with the Detroit News' Rod Beard reporting that the team has decided to retire the plane in favor of a charter service. Roundball One was originally put into service in 1987, and marked the first time a pro sports team had their own plane.

The modified McDonnell Douglas MD-83 currently in service was the third plane to bear the Pistons' logo, but it seems that the private charters' better amenities and comfort sealed the deal for Tom Gores as the team has now joined 27 other NBA teams in choosing to fly Delta.

So long Roundball One!

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2016/7/18/12205240/pistons-news-andre-drummond-improving-free-throws-kcp-extension

Eh, there's always offseason/preseason fluff pieces about players improving aspects of their game.

Its great that he's trying but I'll believe it when I see results.

I'm sure Quincy Miller put on another 10 lbs of muscle this summer too.

ImHeisenberg wrote:I'm sure Quincy Miller put on another 10 lbs of muscle this summer too.

And Jennings gained another 25lbs of muscle...

It's nice to hear and all but we wont find out if he actually improved his free throw shooting until the season starts, i remember a few years ago he did really good from the ft line in pre season but then went back to crap once the season started. I do hope he finds a way to turn it around and become a solid free throw shooter.

mattao313 wrote:

ImHeisenberg wrote:I'm sure Quincy Miller put on another 10 lbs of muscle this summer too.

And Jennings gained another 25lbs of muscle...

whoa whoa whoa... Quincy Miller has a rep of doing that


The only thing BJ said wrong was "muscle". I do recall he gained at least 10-15 lbs coming off injury.

Snakebites wrote:Eh, there's always offseason/preseason fluff pieces about players improving aspects of their game.

Its great that he's trying but I'll believe it when I see results.

Not to mention we already know Dre's a 60%+ FT shooter in practice, where it matters, is in game which he's currently below 40%

This is the year for Austin Daye's breakout

This sounds a lot like Andre is going to go underhand this season. There is no doubt shooting it that way is easier, and raises free-throw percentages. This is unlike any past players so I believe Andre gets it. He know he is the worst free throw shooter in NBA history and realizes that if he does nothing he will always be known for that.

It's happening boys.

If he actually is trying something different, I don't view this as just another fluff piece. If it was just something about him putting in extra hours or something I'd dismiss it.

Results aside he NEEDS to try something different, his percentage is absolutely embarrassing. Even if doesn't work out, his willingness to try something new and outright saying he plans to use it during the season is good to hear. Because with the form he's used the past 4 seasons, he'll be lucky to make 40%.

Andre starts from the half court line and runs towards the rim , launches from the ft line and lays the ball up. He's 90% in practice but can only shoot 2. lol

His FT form just needs to be more fluid.

He has a pause once he stops the initial dribbling at the line and brings it up to about head level and then he releases. It needs to be one fluid motion with the legs being that initial spring.

If he still hasn't changed that, I will bet everyone that he won't significantly improve and Hopla needs to be fired.

He probably would have more success if he just used one hand. that way he could just line up his one arm to the goal.

mattao313 wrote:He probably would have more success if he just used one hand. that way he could just line up his one arm to the goal.

this might be the change we are talking about, where his guide hand is dropped much sooner so its almost like a push shot.I believe he's made a decent percentage of push shot/floaters from the FT area. His ultimate problem is his chicken wing at the point of release, and it might be because of the guide hand.

zeebneeb wrote:This sounds a lot like Andre is going to go underhand this season. There is no doubt shooting it that way is easier, and raises free-throw percentages. This is unlike any past players so I believe Andre gets it. He know he is the worst free throw shooter in NBA history and realizes that if he does nothing he will always be known for that.

It's happening boys.

Besides rick barry have there been any other success stories, he peddles it around all the time but are there actually studies done that proved it easier. Why dont more small guys do it if its uniformly easier, the kind of boring no ego guys like dellevedova who have no shame etc.

RSCD3_ wrote:

zeebneeb wrote:This sounds a lot like Andre is going to go underhand this season. There is no doubt shooting it that way is easier, and raises free-throw percentages. This is unlike any past players so I believe Andre gets it. He know he is the worst free throw shooter in NBA history and realizes that if he does nothing he will always be known for that.

It's happening boys.

Besides rick barry have there been any other success stories, he peddles it around all the time but are there actually studies done that proved it easier. Why dont more small guys do it if its uniformly easier, the kind of boring no ego guys like dellevedova who have no shame etc.

Because it's not easier. It worked for Rick Barry and he likes to toot his own horn. Other players have tried it and it's an unnatural motion. I've tried shooting them under-handed and it's not better. Drummonds problem is consistency. If you go back and just watch his free throw shooting, it alters every shot. Every shot is different. He tries to adjust at the line and that makes it worse.

RSCD3_ wrote:

zeebneeb wrote:This sounds a lot like Andre is going to go underhand this season. There is no doubt shooting it that way is easier, and raises free-throw percentages. This is unlike any past players so I believe Andre gets it. He know he is the worst free throw shooter in NBA history and realizes that if he does nothing he will always be known for that.

It's happening boys.

Besides rick barry have there been any other success stories, he peddles it around all the time but are there actually studies done that proved it easier. Why dont more small guys do it if its uniformly easier, the kind of boring no ego guys like dellevedova who have no shame etc.

Mathematically yes, it is absolutely a better way to shoot free throws. Models have been done on it and it comes down to variables in the shooting form. Underhand when done correctly has far fewer moving parts and because of the approach angle has a better chance of going in even on a miss. This is a fact. I'm trying to find the studies done. League average is 75% (there abouts) and the studies done on normal overhand free throws show that that number is right about where it should be. On underhand it would be around 90%.

I'll post em when I find em!

I remember in practice, Dwight Howard would hit 75% of his Free Throws. During games, it would drop to 45-55% depending on the game. Alot of it is mental.

BadMofoPimp wrote:I remember in practice, Dwight Howard would hit 75% of his Free Throws. During games, it would drop to 45-55% depending on the game. Alot of it is mental.

I think some of it is mental. The other and more important part (imo) is the fact that in practice you can shoot yourself into a rhythm standing at the line and shooting shot after shot never moving. In games you get two shots at a time and you play basketball in-between. Even where he gets hacked constantly there is still a breakup in shooting to where you cant get into a rhythm. He should practice free throws two at a time in between running laps or other drills to simulate a game situation.

Moses ShamMoses wrote:

BadMofoPimp wrote:I remember in practice, Dwight Howard would hit 75% of his Free Throws. During games, it would drop to 45-55% depending on the game. Alot of it is mental.

I think some of it is mental. The other and more important part (imo) is the fact that in practice you can shoot yourself into a rhythm standing at the line and shooting shot after shot never moving. In games you get two shots at a time and you play basketball in-between. Even where he gets hacked constantly there is still a breakup in shooting to where you cant get into a rhythm. He should practice free throws two at a time in between running laps or other drills to simulate a game situation.

I think that's a great point, it's easier to relax knowing that you have another shot coming and you can get into a rhythm. Also, I think you shouldn't tinker too much, especially in season. Have your routine, do it exactly the same every time. Even if you miss 10 in a row, stay the course and stop trying to tweak it. That's what I hope he's done, found his routine and is gonna stick to it come hell or high water. Also, shooting with fresh legs is different than shooting with game fatigue, we used to shoot ours after running wind sprints.