Drummond 'open' to going underhanded at the line

[Laimbeer]

Pistons center Andre Drummond is no Rick Barry at the free-throw line.

But the two may have something in common beginning next year.

Drummond, who had a horrific season at the line — making just 36 percent — potentially could be changing his style to underhand free throws next season.

There’s no guarantee, but Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said the unorthodox style popularized in the 1970s by Barry — who shot 89 percent from the line in his career, including 90 percent or higher in his last eight seasons — could be on the horizon for Drummond.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2016/04/28/drummond-could-go-going-underhanded-line/83655618/

[MotownMadness]

Worth a shot, But like SVG also said it seems to be more of a mental issue then anything as he's knocking them down in practice but just can't do it in game.

[tmorgan]

I've heard 65-70% in practice, which is still low, given that a lot of guys are nearly automatic in practice, even those that shoot 70% in games.

Underhand is worth a shot. I doubt Drummond actually tries it, but any news that indicates he might is welcome.

[Cowology]

If it's mental it doesn't matter which technique he uses. This is not happening.

[DETermination]

I say go for it, cant be worse than what hes doing now

[epheisey]

This comes up with every poor FT shooter, but nothing ever comes from it.

[The_Irony]

People talk about Rick Barry as if he wasnt one of the best standard form shooters already. People just love talking to talk amd it wont make a difference at all.


Im no expert but logically i would assume banking free throws would be easier due to a visual guide (white square)

[MrBigShot]

Its worth a shot. His form sucks. Occasionally it will look good and he'll shoot the ball straight, get decent rotation and follow through. But more often than not it looks like more of a throw than shot, and his arm/hand alignment frequently causes him to miss left and right. Missing left/right = hall mark of a bad shooter.

Even if a big part of his FT woes are mental, I doubt underhanded FTs or just banking it in every time could possibly be worse than 35%.

[Spider156]

People talk about Rick Barry as if he wasnt one of the best standard form shooters already. People just love talking to talk amd it wont make a difference at all.


Im no expert but logically i would assume banking free throws would be easier due to a visual guide (white square)

This is what I said too. I think it would be easier if Drummond tries to bank every FT shot. As long as it's soft and hits the center, there's a better chance of it going in than shooting at the basket itself even if statistics say otherwise. It might be a visual thing. I'm sure Drummond has tried this too though.

I think there's a chance that if he shoots underhanded he'll miss because of mental problems too. It'll be awkward for him. He switches to underhanded and still misses them?

It's tough but ultimately I think Drummond's FTs problem will go away with experience and age.

[Moses ShamMoses]

I've played around with underhand free-throws after watching a couple videos, and It doesn't feel natural at all. I think i made only 20-30% of the shots. However, I can hit 80%+ shooting the standard way. Maybe its different if you're terrible at free throws the traditional way and are a nba center size. Its worth a shot.

[joedumars1]

I just skimmed over the article. Was Dre quoted in at all? I'm guessing no. So how does that make him "open" to them?

[hoophabit]

Everything we've heard says Drummond understands he needs to be serious about improving his FTs. I believe he's sincere. Have to root for him as without this flaw in his game he'd be an extremely dominant player, which would be really good news for our Pistons. Obviously, the team want to do everything it can to help.

[Kilo]

If it's mental it doesn't matter which technique he uses. This is not happening.

Ding-ding-ding. We have a winner. Dre shooting underhanded will just make him more self conscious for shooting like a granny, self-aware of everybody watching him (he'd become a sideshow novelty) and ridiculed than he is already and will make him worse.

[Laimbeer]

Would it make sense to try and hit back of the rim if you're not too good? Short and it goes in. Long and it has a chance to bank in. Dead on and you get a long rebound.

[The_Irony]

Does anyone have statistical proof of players having a significant FT % increase? Ever?

[Cowology]

People talk about Rick Barry as if he wasnt one of the best standard form shooters already. People just love talking to talk amd it wont make a difference at all.


Im no expert but logically i would assume banking free throws would be easier due to a visual guide (white square)

This is what I said too. I think it would be easier if Drummond tries to bank every FT shot. As long as it's soft and hits the center, there's a better chance of it going in than shooting at the basket itself even if statistics say otherwise. It might be a visual thing. I'm sure Drummond has tried this too though.

I think there's a chance that if he shoots underhanded he'll miss because of mental problems too. It'll be awkward for him. He switches to underhanded and still misses them?

It's tough but ultimately I think Drummond's FTs problem will go away with experience and age.

Great point about Barry being a great shooter anyway. Same thing crossed my mind earlier.

As for the bank shot thing - not from straight ahead. That's actually a harder shot. If it was from the elbow that would be different.

[Manocad]

People talk about Rick Barry as if he wasnt one of the best standard form shooters already. People just love talking to talk amd it wont make a difference at all.


Im no expert but logically i would assume banking free throws would be easier due to a visual guide (white square)

This is what I said too. I think it would be easier if Drummond tries to bank every FT shot. As long as it's soft and hits the center, there's a better chance of it going in than shooting at the basket itself even if statistics say otherwise. It might be a visual thing. I'm sure Drummond has tried this too though.

I think there's a chance that if he shoots underhanded he'll miss because of mental problems too. It'll be awkward for him. He switches to underhanded and still misses them?

It's tough but ultimately I think Drummond's FTs problem will go away with experience and age.

Great point about Barry being a great shooter anyway. Same thing crossed my mind earlier.

As for the bank shot thing - not from straight ahead. That's actually a harder shot. If it was from the elbow that would be different.

Anyone who plays the high speed basketball arcade game says differently. You aim for the center of the square and bank them in. All the best players do that.

[hoophabit]

The fellow who wrote the following did some research:

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2014/9/3/6103521/forecasting-drummonds-free-throw-percentage

It's not impossible, but don't expect miracles.

[Cowology]

This is what I said too. I think it would be easier if Drummond tries to bank every FT shot. As long as it's soft and hits the center, there's a better chance of it going in than shooting at the basket itself even if statistics say otherwise. It might be a visual thing. I'm sure Drummond has tried this too though.

I think there's a chance that if he shoots underhanded he'll miss because of mental problems too. It'll be awkward for him. He switches to underhanded and still misses them?

It's tough but ultimately I think Drummond's FTs problem will go away with experience and age.

Great point about Barry being a great shooter anyway. Same thing crossed my mind earlier.

As for the bank shot thing - not from straight ahead. That's actually a harder shot. If it was from the elbow that would be different.

Anyone who plays the high speed basketball arcade game says differently. You aim for the center of the square and bank them in. All the best players do that.

Which is why we see so many collegiate and professional players doing it. Oh wait...

[fpower]

I've played around with underhand free-throws after watching a couple videos, and It doesn't feel natural at all. I think i made only 20-30% of the shots. However, I can hit 80%+ shooting the standard way. Maybe its different if you're terrible at free throws the traditional way and are a nba center size. Its worth a shot.

I've also played around a little at the gym with underhanded free throws. I concur, I thought that it was much harder. It didn't seem like it would be a good solution...better off just practicing/adjusting a more conventional shot.