What exactly makes DHoward such a bad FT shooter?

[PerkinsFor3]

Haven't seen him shoot a lot of FT's, but from the ones I saw his form isnt THAT horrible, is it?

What's Dwight's problem?

[magicdoc]

concentration!

his technique is not that bad most of the time- he needs to extend his arms on follow through rather than try to flick the ball to the rim.

Some of the misses are only a couple of inches off as well-

[UCFJayBird]

I think it's confidence and concentration in games. Dwight makes them in practice and they say he can make 60 straight when he's practicing them. It's just making them in games. Maybe he over analyzes when he gets to the line, maybe he tries to adjust his form right after he misses one instead of sticking to his form. Not sure.

I don't think it will be this bad forever. Dwight will get it under control and get it in the 70-75% area, just might take a couple more years before he gets that down though.

[drsd]

It is different to shoot 60 FTs in a gym, then to shoot two after being mugged in a near-flagrant foul. You're tired. You're in a bit of pain. You're emotional.

[Point forward]

D12's form is ok, but hitting FTs after basically getting hacked into two after a hard low post hit is something else than practice. It is curable -- Karl Malone started with .480 and ended with .780.

[Typhoon20]

Practice makes perfect

[theTHIEF]

he practices in a gym without in game distractions, and chances are that he takes his time more often in the gym than in the game...Stan needs to pack the lines while he's practicing to give him that in game feel...

[MagicStarwipe]

Inconsistant at point of release. Lack of confidence.

[ProfX]

I believe it is weight lifting, makes it harder for a soft touch.. I think that why most of the bigger guys have a hard time..It could be angle too..

[The Favero]

I believe it is weight lifting, makes it harder for a soft touch.. I think that why most of the bigger guys have a hard time..It could be angle too..

Yao discredits this statement!

[Just Plain Mark]

NBA Access w/ Mrs. Cosby's Husband (I think it was that show) did a segment on the free throw shooting coach for the Dallas Mavs. He's got an amazing eye and solid analytical approach to free throws and Dwight violates several of the rules for good free throws:

1) Always use the same routine before each shot (same number of dribbles, same amount of time before each shot, etc)

2) Don't step off the line after the first shot

3) Don't give teammates high five after a made FT - interrupts routine, hands are sweaty.

There are some other things he said that really made sense. He tried working with Shaq while Shaq was on the National Team but Shaq wouldn't listen. He's supposedly improved the Dallas big men (or former big men like Diop).

[theTHIEF]

Yao isnt working on his upper body like Dwight is...however I throw up big weight and im pretty silky from the stripe, so I'm the control there.

[surflawyer]

FT in basketball are just like chip shots in golf. You must take a full swing or at least the same swing every time. This creates consistency. The arch of the FT or the loft of the club determine the distance traveled. It seems as though when Dwight gets winded he tries to finesse the ball into the hole and he has that funky flick of the wrist soemtimes which you can not consistantly repeat; at least not accurately.

[mhectorgato]

Yao isnt working on his upper body like Dwight is...however I throw up big weight and im pretty silky from the stripe, so I'm the control there.

Ever been diagnosed with Bulimia?

[theTHIEF]

haha, he'll be here all week folks...

[AdamTheGreek]

I see Dwight in a category with Duncan. Timmy still isn't perfect with free throws, but he's much better than his rookie season.

Dwight just needs to keep practicing, remember to bend his knees and keep his wrist loose and follow through in tact.
Dwight's misses are for the most part not ugly so you know he has enough touch (unlike Shaq).

[mttingly2391]

There are many factors as to why Dwight is not a good ft shooter. Some of you have named some of them. He needs to practice under conditions of fatigue and he also needs to work on he release and where his legs are during the release. I have said this before on this board, but I know the perfect shooting coach for Dwight, and he is right here in Central FL.

[Last Guardian]

Because it would be unfair to the league if he were good at free throws.

[magicdoc]

shooting coach? first he had one that really did help him in the summer so why doesn't dwight contact him again? But I do not think it is necessary- his form is not that bad as I state earlier- it is concentration! and confidence in yourself!

You wouldn't happen to be talking about BArry M?

I have played against Barry- it is fun wathcing BArry miss free throws every once in awhile as this is very unusual for him-

Yes- game situations with 17000 people is a lot different than in a gym all alone!

I also never understood why after the free throw they have to slap hands with the teammates- Keep the same routine- every shot or as close to it as you can- Do not walk away from the foul line. Stay there and make the second shot- same routine- same timing!

He will get better! It is a learning experience-

[MMFla]

I feel the same way as ProfX. Ben Wallace, Shaq and Dwight are big strong guys but bad ft shooters.

My solution is goto youtube type Rick Barry freethrows in and theres a video of Barry saying how he tried to get Shaq to shoot underhanded but he didnt want to(Ego). It may sound stupid but Barry shot a very nice percentage and could teach Dwight, if he listened, to shoot underhanded. Other players could tease Dwight but in late game situations their coach will tell them to hack Dwight then he drains both, whos laughing now? Plus Dwight could up his scoring and touches if he shot better from the line.