Should Ben Simmons shoot underhanded free throws as Rick Barry did.

[coastalmarker99]

As Ben is a terrible free throw shooter do you personally think it would serve to help his percentage at the line if he decided to go underhanded from now on?

I mean Barry convinced his teammate, George Johnson, to use the technique, and Johnson’s free throw percentage increased from 41.2% in his rookie season to a 69.4% career mark so there are examples of the technique helping players that really struggle at the line.

[Freighttrain]

It was only a matter of time before this kind of thread was made. To your question, no he shouldn't. It's more mental if anything. His shooting form may not be great, but it's better than other players. Simmons had a 61% free throw percentage in the regular season and dipped to 32% at this point. That says more than enough about the mental struggles he seems to face when going to the free-throw line.

[RoundMoundOfRebound]

[LikeABosh]

Shaq: “Sorry, can’t do it, Rick. I’d rather shoot zero percent, too cool for that.”

[RoundMoundOfRebound]

[packforfreedom]

No, he should focus on his overall shooting motion, it helps not only shooting free throws but his shooting in general. For Shaq it would've made sense though since he didn't take any jumpers.

[brutalitops]

As Ben is a terrible free throw shooter do you personally think it would serve to help his percentage at the line if he decided to go underhanded from now on?

I mean Barry convinced his teammate, George Johnson, to use the technique, and Johnson’s free throw percentage increased from 41.2% in his rookie season to a 69.4% career mark so there are examples of the technique helping players that really struggle at the line.

Maybe Donovan Mitchell can take underarm 3p shots if it's a sure fire, end all way to improve shooting %

Good reason why no sane coach will get people to shoot under-arm, most of it is concentration and mental, Simmons could probably hit 15/20 floaters from the FT line. Its not a shooting form issue

[KGtabake]

Yes, he should. Every mediocre/bad ft shooter should. If they think it will be embarrassing, they should think how embarrassing their percentages are, instead.
Giannis takes 15 secs to shoot a free throw. That's less embarrassing than an underhanded throw? I don't think so.
There's literally zero excuse for star players in the modern era to not try to get better in free throws.

[Doranku]

Look at the soft touch, the spin he puts on the ball as it's released. Thinking about Ben trying to replicate that is hilarious. He'd be rifling underhanded FTs off the backboard with an exit velocity of 50 mph.

[Bolivar]

Yes, he should. Every mediocre/bad ft shooter should. If they think it will be embarrassing, they should think how embarrassing their percentages are, instead.
Giannis takes 15 secs to shoot a free throw. That's less embarrassing than an underhanded throw? I don't think so.
There's literally zero excuse for star players in the modern era to not try to get better in free throws.

This would probably work. Force him to shoot grandma- style FTs and maybe he will magically learn to shoot the ball in the off-season.

[Tracymcgoaty]

**** Ben simmons he's a bum and a disgrace to basketball. Does he even practice in the off season?

Trade his ass to the bejing ducks for Lin. Let Simmons shoot like a wild man in china for a year and bring him back

[MVP1992]

I'd go a step further and make it mandatory for anyone shooting under 65% after their first 100 career free throw attempts.

Bit like not getting a pen licence at school....
No Ben, your handwriting is ****. 2B pencil for you.

If $30,000,000+ humiliation isn't incentive enough, I don't know what to say.

[GoBobs]

He doesn't need to shoot underhanded but he should change is form. He should go with a lower release one motion shot. That way it is a faster motion and he has less time to think about it. He should try to make the free throw almost into a floater from the free throw line with a very low release point. Eventually it becomes more like a layup than a shot.

[God Squad]

Ben doesn't have a soft enough touch imo. He's too rigid.

[SparksAC]

At the rate he's shooting his fts, he has more chance getting them in with his eyes closed.

[Wilfried]

First let's try shooting with his right (right) hand, if it isn't any better (can it be worse?), than he can start shooting underhands

[Anti Chalmers]

Nah he seems like the type that’ll think doing that will bring that their swag level

[Johnny Bball]

100%.

[Harry Garris]

It was only a matter of time before this kind of thread was made. To your question, no he shouldn't. It's more mental if anything. His shooting form may not be great, but it's better than other players. Simmons had a 61% free throw percentage in the regular season and dipped to 32% at this point. That says more than enough about the mental struggles he seems to face when going to the free-throw line.

I disagree, shooting free throws underhanded would help him get over the mental struggle as well. If the dude was comfortable enough to look stupid shooting free throws underhanded in front of 20,000 people in a playoff atmosphere then that's a clear sign of confidence.

[Johnny Bball]

As Ben is a terrible free throw shooter do you personally think it would serve to help his percentage at the line if he decided to go underhanded from now on?

I mean Barry convinced his teammate, George Johnson, to use the technique, and Johnson’s free throw percentage increased from 41.2% in his rookie season to a 69.4% career mark so there are examples of the technique helping players that really struggle at the line.

Maybe Donovan Mitchell can take underarm 3p shots if it's a sure fire, end all way to improve shooting %

Good reason why no sane coach will get people to shoot under-arm, most of it is concentration and mental, Simmons could probably hit 15/20 floaters from the FT line. Its not a shooting form issue

You understand nobody is trying to block a free throw right?

And there is no doubt it's easier.