NBA Player Free Throw Shooting.

[JMac1]

I am not a basketball player. I never played anything outside of pick-up and Salvation Army League in L.A. I haven't touched or played basketball in at least 3-4 years. I could shoot okay and I am a right hand dominant dribbler and can't make a left handed lay-up if my life depended on it.......just plain ugly!

Now, today I decided to shoot a little and play some 21 for a little "fun" cardio. Before we started playing, I was the only guy out there shooting the ball, not like my man Qwizz, but ok. Working on elbow being in, lining the ball up with the rim and getting full extension and follow through. Shot was inconsistent because my mechanics were, but when everything was right, my shot was pretty solid.

I decided to go to the free throw line (last thing most guys do in the gym, first the 3pt line ) and I proceeded to miss my first shot and just started hitting 7-10 8-10 9-10, nothing less than 7....The I suddenly got frustrated and thought, how can a non basketball playing guy like me consistently hit free throws at an acceptable clip and guys who play basketball for a living and make millions of dollars can't? I know it isnt a game setting, however, again, I am not a pro. shooting 50-60 percent on free throws?!? its mind boggling to me.

I specifically thought about JJ. Guys not being able to shoot in the NBA is like a NFL WR not being able to catch or a DB not being able to backpedal.... SMH!!

I am incredulous. Learn how to shoot the ball Josh Jackson....damn!!

[jcsunsfan]

I am not a basketball player. I never played anything outside of pick-up and Salvation Army League in L.A. I haven't touched or played basketball in at least 3-4 years. I could shoot okay and I am a right hand dominant dribbler and can't make a left handed lay-up if my life depended on it.......just plain ugly!

Now, today I decided to shoot a little and play some 21 for a little "fun" cardio. Before we started playing, I was the only guy out there shooting the ball, not like my man Qwizz, but ok. Working on elbow being in, lining the ball up with the rim and getting full extension and follow through. Shot was inconsistent because my mechanics were, but when everything was right, my shot was pretty solid.

I decided to go to the free throw line (last thing most guys do in the gym, first the 3pt line ) and I proceeded to miss my first shot and just started hitting 7-10 8-10 9-10, nothing less than 7....The I suddenly got frustrated and thought, how can a non basketball playing guy like me consistently hit free throws at an acceptable clip and guys who play basketball for a living and make millions of dollars can't? I know it isnt a game setting, however, again, I am not a pro. shooting 50-60 percent on free throws?!? its mind boggling to me.

I specifically thought about JJ. Guys not being able to shoot in the NBA is like a NFL WR not being able to catch or a DB not being able to backpedal.... SMH!!

I am incredulous. Learn how to shoot the ball Josh Jackson....damn!!

Meh. Put fans in the seats guys standing on the key and a real game and you will shoot 25%. I played b-ball through high school (started on high school team) and some league stuff in college. That is just it is. Shaq was a great free thrower in practice.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

[MrMiyagi]

I am not a basketball player. I never played anything outside of pick-up and Salvation Army League in L.A. I haven't touched or played basketball in at least 3-4 years. I could shoot okay and I am a right hand dominant dribbler and can't make a left handed lay-up if my life depended on it.......just plain ugly!

Now, today I decided to shoot a little and play some 21 for a little "fun" cardio. Before we started playing, I was the only guy out there shooting the ball, not like my man Qwizz, but ok. Working on elbow being in, lining the ball up with the rim and getting full extension and follow through. Shot was inconsistent because my mechanics were, but when everything was right, my shot was pretty solid.

I decided to go to the free throw line (last thing most guys do in the gym, first the 3pt line ) and I proceeded to miss my first shot and just started hitting 7-10 8-10 9-10, nothing less than 7....The I suddenly got frustrated and thought, how can a non basketball playing guy like me consistently hit free throws at an acceptable clip and guys who play basketball for a living and make millions of dollars can't? I know it isnt a game setting, however, again, I am not a pro. shooting 50-60 percent on free throws?!? its mind boggling to me.

I specifically thought about JJ. Guys not being able to shoot in the NBA is like a NFL WR not being able to catch or a DB not being able to backpedal.... SMH!!

I am incredulous. Learn how to shoot the ball Josh Jackson....damn!!

Meh. Put fans in the seats guys standing on the key and a real game and you will shoot 25%. I played b-ball through high school (started on high school team) and some league stuff in college. That is just it is. Shaq was a great free thrower in practice.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

This, and a lot of the NBA players who really struggle with free throws tend to have odd arm proportions and massive hands, which can add more points for mechanical error.

Plus Josh shot 60% Pre-All-Star game, and 68% post, so his FT% is on the rise since College (56% at Kansas). I'm not super worried.

[DroughtsOverPHX]

It bugs me when NBA players can't hit free throws and I hate having them on my team. Bugs me enough that I am glad we didn't get Capela, I wouldn't want Drummond, Jordan, Howard etc. I hope the league continues to make them a liability by having the end of the bench hack the snot out of them. There is no good reason to not take advantage of the fact a basketball player cannot shoot, if you want to win. At this point Jackson's shooting from the field is not a threat to even bother hacking him. I'd feel better if someone can post some players who drastically improved their free throw percentage. There has to be some and I want to have that hope for Josh.

It's hard to believe that some players cannot ever be good free throw shooters but it has to be a thing -- how many different coaches did they try with Shaq and others to no avail. It has to be more than practice and discipline which is the instant solution that comes to mind.

[JMac1]

I am not a basketball player. I never played anything outside of pick-up and Salvation Army League in L.A. I haven't touched or played basketball in at least 3-4 years. I could shoot okay and I am a right hand dominant dribbler and can't make a left handed lay-up if my life depended on it.......just plain ugly!

Now, today I decided to shoot a little and play some 21 for a little "fun" cardio. Before we started playing, I was the only guy out there shooting the ball, not like my man Qwizz, but ok. Working on elbow being in, lining the ball up with the rim and getting full extension and follow through. Shot was inconsistent because my mechanics were, but when everything was right, my shot was pretty solid.

I decided to go to the free throw line (last thing most guys do in the gym, first the 3pt line ) and I proceeded to miss my first shot and just started hitting 7-10 8-10 9-10, nothing less than 7....The I suddenly got frustrated and thought, how can a non basketball playing guy like me consistently hit free throws at an acceptable clip and guys who play basketball for a living and make millions of dollars can't? I know it isnt a game setting, however, again, I am not a pro. shooting 50-60 percent on free throws?!? its mind boggling to me.

I specifically thought about JJ. Guys not being able to shoot in the NBA is like a NFL WR not being able to catch or a DB not being able to backpedal.... SMH!!

I am incredulous. Learn how to shoot the ball Josh Jackson....damn!!

Meh. Put fans in the seats guys standing on the key and a real game and you will shoot 25%. I played b-ball through high school (started on high school team) and some league stuff in college. That is just it is. Shaq was a great free thrower in practice.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

This, and a lot of the NBA players who really struggle with free throws tend to have odd arm proportions and massive hands, which can add more points for mechanical error.

Plus Josh shot 60% Pre-All-Star game, and 68% post, so his FT% is on the rise since College (56% at Kansas). I'm not super worried.

You guys missed the whole point of my post. But whatever.

[JMac1]

I am not a basketball player. I never played anything outside of pick-up and Salvation Army League in L.A. I haven't touched or played basketball in at least 3-4 years. I could shoot okay and I am a right hand dominant dribbler and can't make a left handed lay-up if my life depended on it.......just plain ugly!

Now, today I decided to shoot a little and play some 21 for a little "fun" cardio. Before we started playing, I was the only guy out there shooting the ball, not like my man Qwizz, but ok. Working on elbow being in, lining the ball up with the rim and getting full extension and follow through. Shot was inconsistent because my mechanics were, but when everything was right, my shot was pretty solid.

I decided to go to the free throw line (last thing most guys do in the gym, first the 3pt line ) and I proceeded to miss my first shot and just started hitting 7-10 8-10 9-10, nothing less than 7....The I suddenly got frustrated and thought, how can a non basketball playing guy like me consistently hit free throws at an acceptable clip and guys who play basketball for a living and make millions of dollars can't? I know it isnt a game setting, however, again, I am not a pro. shooting 50-60 percent on free throws?!? its mind boggling to me.

I specifically thought about JJ. Guys not being able to shoot in the NBA is like a NFL WR not being able to catch or a DB not being able to backpedal.... SMH!!

I am incredulous. Learn how to shoot the ball Josh Jackson....damn!!

Meh. Put fans in the seats guys standing on the key and a real game and you will shoot 25%. I played b-ball through high school (started on high school team) and some league stuff in college. That is just it is. Shaq was a great free thrower in practice.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

Again. I didn’t play basketball, but I did play college football and run track. Most people I played in front of was 50,0000 at Kansas St in football so I am not oblivious to how practice and performance in games translate. The crowd don’t exist when you are focused in on catching a ball or running a route. Or standing back there returning an opening kickoff! Maybe football players are mentally different than basketball players, I thought top notch athletes were built similarly mentally.

[Revived]

Since we’re on this topic of FT shooting, am I the only one that thinks players dabbing up the FT shooter in between FTs can actually negatively impact the shooter? Most of the time, the FT shooter has to step forward or backward at least a step or two so he can high five all his teammates. This obviously means the player has to reset his feet and standing position when he gets back to the FT line and I feel like this could be challenging for players who already struggle with FT shooting (specifically bigs).

[bwgood77]

Since we’re on this topic of FT shooting, am I the only one that thinks players dabbing up the FT shooter in between FTs can actually negatively impact the shooter? Most of the time, the FT shooter has to step forward or backward at least a step or two so he can high five all his teammates. This obviously means the player has to reset his feet and standing position when he gets back to the FT line and I feel like this could be challenging for players who already struggle with FT shooting (specifically bigs).

Who knows? Many have a routine. Westbrook used to walk towards half court and back between free throws and they changed the rules so he couldn't do that any more and he went from a crazy good ft shooter to a terrible one to start last season. He went from 84.5% the previous season to 61% to start the season. He never got his consistency back but improved a bit from February on.

Killed my fantasy team because Westbrook would hit so many free throws every year at such a high percentage, that it was usually a given in our dynasty league I would win or come close to winning that category...but last year he caused me to rank very low in that one.

[lilfishi22]

Shooting by yourself or with a few others is different to being put at the line with thousands watching, players waiting for you to miss to grab rebounds and just the pressure of making what should be the easiest shot in basketball.

It's more psychological than anything because a lot of below average shooter are supposedly great in practice. Maybe you can handle it, others can't

[Revived]

Since we’re on this topic of FT shooting, am I the only one that thinks players dabbing up the FT shooter in between FTs can actually negatively impact the shooter? Most of the time, the FT shooter has to step forward or backward at least a step or two so he can high five all his teammates. This obviously means the player has to reset his feet and standing position when he gets back to the FT line and I feel like this could be challenging for players who already struggle with FT shooting (specifically bigs).

Who knows? Many have a routine. Westbrook used to walk towards half court and back between free throws and they changed the rules so he couldn't do that any more and he went from a crazy good ft shooter to a terrible one to start last season. He went from 84.5% the previous season to 61% to start the season. He never got his consistency back but improved a bit from February on.

Killed my fantasy team because Westbrook would hit so many free throws every year at such a high percentage, that it was usually a given in our dynasty league I would win or come close to winning that category...but last year he caused me to rank very low in that one.

I’m guessing it’s a personal preference but I played basketball from middle school through high school and I know I hated having to do it. I’d rather just stand in my shooting position for the second FT rather than having to reset my feet and posture.

Yeah the Westbrook FT thing was crazy to me how much it affected his %s to drop at the start. I had a chance to draft him in my fantasy league but took Towns over him and because of the FT thing, I never felt bad about passing on him! Lol.

[bwgood77]

Since we’re on this topic of FT shooting, am I the only one that thinks players dabbing up the FT shooter in between FTs can actually negatively impact the shooter? Most of the time, the FT shooter has to step forward or backward at least a step or two so he can high five all his teammates. This obviously means the player has to reset his feet and standing position when he gets back to the FT line and I feel like this could be challenging for players who already struggle with FT shooting (specifically bigs).

Who knows? Many have a routine. Westbrook used to walk towards half court and back between free throws and they changed the rules so he couldn't do that any more and he went from a crazy good ft shooter to a terrible one to start last season. He went from 84.5% the previous season to 61% to start the season. He never got his consistency back but improved a bit from February on.

Killed my fantasy team because Westbrook would hit so many free throws every year at such a high percentage, that it was usually a given in our dynasty league I would win or come close to winning that category...but last year he caused me to rank very low in that one.

I’m guessing it’s a personal preference but I played basketball from middle school through high school and I know I hated having to do it. I’d rather just stand in my shooting position for the second FT rather than having to reset my feet and posture.

Yeah the Westbrook FT thing was crazy to me how much it affected his %s to drop at the start. I had a chance to draft him in my fantasy league but took Towns over him and because of the FT thing, I never felt bad about passing on him! Lol.

Yeah, I had Towns in our premier league here as my first pick but have Westbrook in our dynasty keeper league.

[JMac1]

Shooting by yourself or with a few others is different to being put at the line with thousands watching, players waiting for you to miss to grab rebounds and just the pressure of making what should be the easiest shot in basketball.

It's more psychological than anything because a lot of below average shooter are supposedly great in practice. Maybe you can handle it, others can't

Whatever the reason........it stinks!!!!!!!!!! Dudes shoot 90 percent plus for their carrer and a lot shoot 80 plus. Not shooting at least 70% is just plain horrible. Period!

**** practice mentally and physically.

[ryanball]

I specifically thought about JJ. Guys not being able to shoot in the NBA is like a NFL WR not being able to catch or a DB not being able to backpedal.... SMH!!

I am incredulous. Learn how to shoot the ball Josh Jackson....damn!!

I completely agree.

I hear the retort that shooting in front of a huge crowd in a real game is something else, which fans don't experience, and that is true. If you popped me out into that situation I don't know if I'd hit 70+% free throws.

However, I'm not paid to do that. If I were paid hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, I absolutely would work it out. I would shoot underhand if need be. Because there is no excuse for a professionally paid athlete.

Shooting at least 70% free throws is simply not an elite skill.

[lilfishi22]

Is there an assumption on here that players shooting under 70% don't practice, don't try different FT strokes, don't invest in coaching/private camps specifically for FT shooting or just don't care?

[MrMiyagi]

I specifically thought about JJ. Guys not being able to shoot in the NBA is like a NFL WR not being able to catch or a DB not being able to backpedal.... SMH!!

I am incredulous. Learn how to shoot the ball Josh Jackson....damn!!

I completely agree.

I hear the retort that shooting in front of a huge crowd in a real game is something else, which fans don't experience, and that is true. If you popped me out into that situation I don't know if I'd hit 70+% free throws.

However, I'm not paid to do that. If I were paid hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, I absolutely would work it out. I would shoot underhand if need be. Because there is no excuse for a professionally paid athlete.

Shooting at least 70% free throws is simply not an elite skill.

You guys are acting like free throw shooting is the only requirement for the job. If he were the designated free throw shooter, then yeah, I'd be worried. The dude was a rookie, and he improved as a rookie at shooting free throws.

Most people aren't perfect at their jobs and don't do seemingly easy things well. That doesn't mean they shouldn't have their job.

And JMac, if you really think it's easy, go to the NAZ Suns and ask for a tryout. If shooting is the most important NBA skill, and you can do it, it should be easy, right?

[MrMiyagi]

Is there an assumption on here that players shooting under 70% don't practice, don't try different FT strokes, don't invest in coaching/private camps specifically for FT shooting or just don't care?

And that shooting is the only skill needed in the NBA, and you must be fully developed as a rookie...

[SlovenianDragon]

Remember when Robiz lopez would turn and stare at the crowd before his ft? Well I tried to find a clip of his FT shot and found this instead (OT):

Watch on YouTube

[JMac1]

Remember when Robiz lopez would turn and stare at the crowd before his ft? Well I tried to find a clip of his FT shot and found this instead (OT):

Watch on YouTube

I've never seen that before.

[Biff]

As MrMiyagi pointed out, a lot of these guys that struggle have odd hand/arm proportions. For instance, the WNBA (which doesn't really have players with this problem) averages about 80% league wide from the FT line, whereas the NBA is around 75%.