I'm sitting here watching the replay of the Bucks vs Mavs game on OneHD ... I know the result because I was following the box-scores during the day. I've just text a friend of mine who's a Dallas fan, he's devastated that they lost this game at home (despite being up 42 - 22 in the middle of the 2nd quarter) ending their 12 game winning streak.
Anyway, I mentioned the other day about Andrew Bogut's free-throw shooting shame against the Orlando Magic and it was interesting to hear the commentators address that issue. Apparently due to the severe elbow injury that ended last season for him, he can't bend or raise his elbow to the right position to shoot free-throws properly. After seeing the fall he took, that certainly shines light on his struggles from the line this season ... apologies big fella.
But ... it wasn't long after that Shawn (the artist formerly known as The Matrix) Marion got fouled and went to the line. I know I haven't seen a lot of NBA games over the last few years pre-OneHD but I was shocked to say the least when I saw his free-throw shooting form ... or lack there of. Now, Marion has always been criticized for his general shooting technique, but I had never realised this continued at the line.
Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
Now, I know these clips are both from a couple of years ago, but trust me ... it hasn't improved any. His "flicky" style is how I'd shoot a free-throw after not picking up a ball for over a year. Five minutes later tho, my form would be looking drastically better.
In Marion's defence, he's shooting an impressive 83% from the line this season and is 81% on his career. The average free-throw shooting percentage in the NBA is around 75% so Marion is definitely ahead of that. So I guess it really doesn't matter "how" you shoot free-throws ... as long as you make them.
Showing posts with label Free throws. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Free throws. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The importance of free-throw shooting
I just watched the end of the Milwaukee Bucks vs Chicago Bulls game on One HD. Not a great spectacle but a hard-fought close game down the stretch. Essentially the Bucks jumped the Bulls early, Bulls eventually find some form and overtake the Bucks in the final quarter.
What got me about this game was what I also saw in the closing minutes of the Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trailblazers last week. In today's game, the Bulls got momentum on their side, got in front of the Bulls but failed to put them away due to some errant free-throw shooting in the final minutes.
The Bucks were struggling to score down the stretch and finding themselves behind on the scoreboard they put the Bulls on the line to make them earn the points and stop the clock. First it was Brad Miller who is normally a good free-throw shooter (80% over his career), 20 seconds to go and he misses his first, makes his second to give his team just a two point lead leaving the door open for the Bucks. Then Andrew Bogut used his last foul to ensure it was Joakim Noah a very average free-throw shooter (68% and horrible technique) that was sent to the line. Again, Bulls up by two so Noah could've basically ended it by hitting them both, instead he missed them both and keep the Bucks right in the game. Unfortunately they couldn't take advantage of it, but if the Bulls had made their free-throws this game would have been over much sooner. Milwaukee could've made their job a lot easier too shooting just 5 of 10 from the free-throw line themselves.
I meant to blog about the Denver Portland game the other day with the same theme in mind. Again, thanks to One HD I got to actually watch it and this was a much more entertaining game than todays. It was essentially a battle between Carmelo Anthony (pictured right) and Chauncey Billups vs Brandon Roy and Rudy Fernandez.
In the final four minutes of the game, both teams were in the penalty meaning that any defensive foul would send the other team to the line to shoot two. In a close game, this foul count meant it was always going to come down to free-throw shooting. For Denver, Carmelo cooly stepped to the line on four occasions during this time and made all eight free-throws. For Portland tho, the usually reliable Brandon Roy missed 1 of 2, Andre Miller missed 1 of 2, LaMarcus Aldridge missed 1 of 2 and with just 4 seconds to play and his team down by 1, Greg Oden missed 2 of 2.
In such a close game between two top teams, free-throw shooting down the stretch was the difference between winning and losing. Its because of this, when the game is in the balance, coaches try to have their best free-throw shooters on the court. Its not a glamourous part of the game but if you want to be a great player who can be relied on in the final minutes of the game, you have to spend time practicing your free-throws.
Monday, June 29, 2009
New free-throw shooting record
After my post last week about free-throw shooting, I came across this story on the Bounce Magazine website about a new record for most free-throws in two minutes.
Click on the story below to read the full story.
Justin Kittredge Breaks World Basketball Record | Streetball, Sneakers, Bobbito, Nike Air Force, Jordans
Justin Kittredge of South Boston is the new world record holder for “The Most Unassisted Free Throws Made in Two Minutes” after hitting 64 FTs in 120 seconds at Reebok International Headquarters in Canton, Massachusetts on May 14, 2009.
Click on the story below to read the full story.
Justin Kittredge Breaks World Basketball Record | Streetball, Sneakers, Bobbito, Nike Air Force, Jordans
Justin Kittredge of South Boston is the new world record holder for “The Most Unassisted Free Throws Made in Two Minutes” after hitting 64 FTs in 120 seconds at Reebok International Headquarters in Canton, Massachusetts on May 14, 2009.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Free throws ... the importance of
Other than being just about basketball, the focus of this blog leans towards the shooting aspect of the game. Whether its free-throw shooting, three-point shooting, clutch shooting, we've got it covered.
I've talked many times about the importance of free-throw shooting and why its vital that you spend hours at the line working on it. I've highlighted the truly great free-throw shooters (Ray Allen, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and many more) and how you should watch and learn from them.
Well last night's game 4 of the NBA Championship Series has again got everyone talking about free-throws as Orlando hit just 22 of 37 (59.5%) from the line and went on to lose the game in overtime. Most people are pointing to Dwight Howard's two missed free-throws in the final minute of regulation which would've given them the win ... but Hedo Turkoglu was just 8 of 13 (61.5%) from the line. Hedo is an 80% free-throw shooter over his career so was it the pressure of the situation that got to him? If either of them just make one more free-throw, they win this game and level the series at 2 - 2, instead they're down 3 - 1 and it looks like they're done.
Dime had a good piece about the situation on their website, I've included an excerpt from it below. Click on the title to read the full story. PS. Great to see them giving up the love to my boy Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf!
Coaches don’t miss free throws | Dime Magazine (www.dimemag.com) : Daily NBA News, NBA Trades, NBA Rumors, Basketball Videos, Sneakers
NBA big men are traditionally below-average free throw shooters, and while you can chalk that up to hand size, range of motion in the shoulders or whatever, I think it’s really just because nobody expects them to be that good. From the time they’re in high school, they don’t practice free throws as much as a guard would practice. If you’re getting tough buckets in the paint, winning your team extra possessions by battling for rebounds, and blocking a couple shots on top of that, it may seem like a lot to ask to also turn into Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf from 15 feet away. But because every big man can point to Wilt Chamberlain and say, “He only shot 51 percent from the line,” it’s acceptable to perform at a lower standard than other players.
And here’s the problem, particularly for somebody like Dwight: He takes A LOT of free throws. Because of his size and skill, teams have to foul him close to the basket. Throughout this series it’s been clear the Lakers made it their game plan to not let Dwight get those soul-crushing dunks on them, especially in Orlando, where he can whip the crowd into a frenzy. Kobe and everyone else in purple would rather bear-hug Dwight and tackle him before letting him get a dunk. And a lot of teams would do the same. During the regular season, Dwight led the League with 10.8 free throws per game (59% FT). In the playoffs, he’s been taking 10.2 free throws per, second behind LeBron James (14.2 FT per game). And, true, up until last night, he’s been pretty good in the Finals from the stripe.
I've talked many times about the importance of free-throw shooting and why its vital that you spend hours at the line working on it. I've highlighted the truly great free-throw shooters (Ray Allen, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and many more) and how you should watch and learn from them.
Well last night's game 4 of the NBA Championship Series has again got everyone talking about free-throws as Orlando hit just 22 of 37 (59.5%) from the line and went on to lose the game in overtime. Most people are pointing to Dwight Howard's two missed free-throws in the final minute of regulation which would've given them the win ... but Hedo Turkoglu was just 8 of 13 (61.5%) from the line. Hedo is an 80% free-throw shooter over his career so was it the pressure of the situation that got to him? If either of them just make one more free-throw, they win this game and level the series at 2 - 2, instead they're down 3 - 1 and it looks like they're done.
Dime had a good piece about the situation on their website, I've included an excerpt from it below. Click on the title to read the full story. PS. Great to see them giving up the love to my boy Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf!
Coaches don’t miss free throws | Dime Magazine (www.dimemag.com) : Daily NBA News, NBA Trades, NBA Rumors, Basketball Videos, Sneakers
NBA big men are traditionally below-average free throw shooters, and while you can chalk that up to hand size, range of motion in the shoulders or whatever, I think it’s really just because nobody expects them to be that good. From the time they’re in high school, they don’t practice free throws as much as a guard would practice. If you’re getting tough buckets in the paint, winning your team extra possessions by battling for rebounds, and blocking a couple shots on top of that, it may seem like a lot to ask to also turn into Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf from 15 feet away. But because every big man can point to Wilt Chamberlain and say, “He only shot 51 percent from the line,” it’s acceptable to perform at a lower standard than other players.
And here’s the problem, particularly for somebody like Dwight: He takes A LOT of free throws. Because of his size and skill, teams have to foul him close to the basket. Throughout this series it’s been clear the Lakers made it their game plan to not let Dwight get those soul-crushing dunks on them, especially in Orlando, where he can whip the crowd into a frenzy. Kobe and everyone else in purple would rather bear-hug Dwight and tackle him before letting him get a dunk. And a lot of teams would do the same. During the regular season, Dwight led the League with 10.8 free throws per game (59% FT). In the playoffs, he’s been taking 10.2 free throws per, second behind LeBron James (14.2 FT per game). And, true, up until last night, he’s been pretty good in the Finals from the stripe.
But Howard, and every coach that he’s ever played for and will ever play for, knows damn well he’s gonna be put on the line often. He’s going to have to hit some free throws in crunch time. So why should he be held to a lower level of expectation than the Nick Andersons, Darius Washingtons and Derrick Roses of the game? If any perimeter player bricked those FT’s in Game 4 — and Lord help us all if it were LeBron or Kobe — nobody could “live with” those misses.
If you missed it, here are the highlights from the game
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Free-throw shooting ... Boston Celtics style
Thanks to channelsurfing.net I watched the final minutes of the Celtics - Magic game today. I followed the game for the first few quarters via the Yahoo boxscore and despite the Celtics having home-court advantage, they were down most of the way.
This was an important game in the series with it being tied at 2 games each. The next game is in Orlando so if Boston had lost they would have to win game 6 on the road which is no easy feat.
Despite struggling from the field for much of the game, it was a clutch triple from our boy Ray Allen that gave Boston the lead for the first time at 86 - 85 (I think?). From there, they had a few big offensive boards and took care of business at the free-throw line.
With the game and series on the line, firstly it was Eddie House knocking down two, then Ray showed his prowess and finally even Glen Davis made his two when it counted.For the record, the Celtics were a perfect 21 of 21 from the free-throw line. With the game being so close, any miss could've cost them dearly.
So next time your coach is on your back about making your free-throws, remember how important they were for Boston today. You know Ray Allen and Eddie House (and probably Glen Davis too) have certainly spent plenty of time practicing their free-throws for occasions just like this.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Free-throw shooting
I came across this article today about free-throw shooting. It questions free-throw percentages haven't improved over the last 50 years, while other achievements in sport improve with time.
Click on the title to read the full story.
For Free Throws, 50 Years of Practice Is No Help - NYTimes.com
CEDAR CITY, Utah — Basketball in the United States has changed in myriad ways over the decades, from flat-footed set shots to dunks, from crotch-hugging uniforms to baggy knee-length shorts, from the dominance of American players to the recent infusion of international stars.
But one thing has remained remarkably constant: the rate at which players make free throws.
Since the mid-1960s, college men’s players have made about 69 percent of free throws, the unguarded 15-foot, 1-point shot awarded after a foul. In 1965, the rate was 69 percent. This season, as teams scramble for bids to the N.C.A.A. tournament, it was 68.8. It has dropped as low as 67.1 but never topped 70.
In the National Basketball Association, the average has been roughly 75 percent for more than 50 years. Players in college women’s basketball and the W.N.B.A. reached similar plateaus — about equal to the men — and stuck there.
The general expectation in sports is that performance improves over time. Future athletes will surely be faster, throw farther, jump higher. But free-throw shooting represents a stubbornly peculiar athletic endeavor. As a group, players have not gotten better. Nor have they become worse.
“It’s unbelievable,” Larry Wright, an adjunct professor of statistics at Columbia, said as he studied the year-by-year averages. “There’s almost no difference. Fifty years. This is mind-boggling.”
Click on the title to read the full story.
For Free Throws, 50 Years of Practice Is No Help - NYTimes.com
CEDAR CITY, Utah — Basketball in the United States has changed in myriad ways over the decades, from flat-footed set shots to dunks, from crotch-hugging uniforms to baggy knee-length shorts, from the dominance of American players to the recent infusion of international stars.
But one thing has remained remarkably constant: the rate at which players make free throws.
Since the mid-1960s, college men’s players have made about 69 percent of free throws, the unguarded 15-foot, 1-point shot awarded after a foul. In 1965, the rate was 69 percent. This season, as teams scramble for bids to the N.C.A.A. tournament, it was 68.8. It has dropped as low as 67.1 but never topped 70.
In the National Basketball Association, the average has been roughly 75 percent for more than 50 years. Players in college women’s basketball and the W.N.B.A. reached similar plateaus — about equal to the men — and stuck there.
The general expectation in sports is that performance improves over time. Future athletes will surely be faster, throw farther, jump higher. But free-throw shooting represents a stubbornly peculiar athletic endeavor. As a group, players have not gotten better. Nor have they become worse.
“It’s unbelievable,” Larry Wright, an adjunct professor of statistics at Columbia, said as he studied the year-by-year averages. “There’s almost no difference. Fifty years. This is mind-boggling.”
No pressure ... can you make a free-throw when it matters most?
Friday, March 6, 2009
The NBA’s Most Underrated Closer
I was going to make mention of this yesterday but the crew at Dime beat me to it. I was watching the scoreboard tick over online yesterday for the Boston Celtics vs New Jersey Nets game. Celtics down by three inside the final minute ... who do you go to? Sure, Paul Pierce was on fire yesterday, but when the game is in the balance you go to our Shooter of the Month, Ray Allen.
Refresh the screen, Ray Allen knocks down a triple and then with the game still in the balance he coolly knocks down two free throws to ice it.
Here's what Dime had to say, click on the title below to read the full story and see who people voted as the player they want on the line when free-throws have to be made.
The NBA’s Most Underrated Closer | Dime Magazine (www.dimemag.com) : Daily NBA News, NBA Trades, NBA Rumors, Basketball Videos, Sneakers
By Austin Burton
It seems everybody forgets that the world “clutch” means more than just hitting game-winners in the final five seconds. Too often, the other aspects of what makes a ballplayer “clutch” get overlooked — and none more than the all-important free throws at the end of a close game, when one team is fouling to try and stop the clock and hoping the other team keeps the door open with some bricks.
That said, Ray Allen doesn’t get enough credit for being one of the best and most consistent clutch performers in the NBA. Never mind that Ray has his share of game-winning and game-tying buckets; most recently he nailed a three in the final minute to tie last night’s Celtics/Nets game, and a couple weeks ago hit a three to beat the Sixers. When it comes to sticking those end-of-game free throws, there’s nobody better in the League.
Refresh the screen, Ray Allen knocks down a triple and then with the game still in the balance he coolly knocks down two free throws to ice it.
Here's what Dime had to say, click on the title below to read the full story and see who people voted as the player they want on the line when free-throws have to be made.
The NBA’s Most Underrated Closer | Dime Magazine (www.dimemag.com) : Daily NBA News, NBA Trades, NBA Rumors, Basketball Videos, Sneakers
By Austin Burton
It seems everybody forgets that the world “clutch” means more than just hitting game-winners in the final five seconds. Too often, the other aspects of what makes a ballplayer “clutch” get overlooked — and none more than the all-important free throws at the end of a close game, when one team is fouling to try and stop the clock and hoping the other team keeps the door open with some bricks.
That said, Ray Allen doesn’t get enough credit for being one of the best and most consistent clutch performers in the NBA. Never mind that Ray has his share of game-winning and game-tying buckets; most recently he nailed a three in the final minute to tie last night’s Celtics/Nets game, and a couple weeks ago hit a three to beat the Sixers. When it comes to sticking those end-of-game free throws, there’s nobody better in the League.
Here’s a little stat for you: Since Christmas Day ‘08, Ray has missed TWO free throws. Two. He’s 101-for-103 during that stretch — he missed one against the Lakers on 12/25, then another against Phoenix on 2/22. Watch the Celtics the next time they’re trying to protect a lead, even better if it’s on the opposing team’s broadcast: If Ray gets the ball in that situation, the announcers basically concede the game before he even steps up to the line. He doesn’t miss.
Check the concentration and focus ...
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Why big men struggle with free throws
Thanks to my boy Aron Phillips at Dime for pointing out the following story that claims its physics rather than co-ordination or lack of practice that explains why the giants of this world aren't great free-throw shooters. At one point I thought I was going to have to pull out a protractor and a calculator to figure it all out!
Click on the title below to read the full story.
Why big men struggle with free throws - Kansas City Star
By Pete Grathoff
The Kansas City Star
Why can’t Shaquille O’Neal make free throws? Why did Wilt Chamberlain, who seemingly could score at will, falter at the line?
Leave it to a physics professor to offer an answer for why many big men struggle at the stripe.
It’s a problem that’s plagued players in the past — Chamberlain (7-foot-1, 51.1 percent free-throw shooter for his career) and Chris Dudley (6-foot-11, 45.8 percent) — and the present — Shaq (7-foot-1, 52.7 percent) and Ben Wallace (6-foot-9, 41.8 percent).
John Fontanella, a former college basketball player who teaches at the U.S. Naval Academy, is author of the book 'The Physics of Basketball.' He explained why tall guys have trouble.
In his book, Fontanella writes that the “window” for the ball to get nothing but net becomes slightly smaller as the height of release increases. However, he goes on to write that with some fine-tuning, such as adjusting the launch angle to lower values, they should be able to achieve an even higher percentage.
Kids, look away now, its about to get ugly ...
Click on the title below to read the full story.
Why big men struggle with free throws - Kansas City Star
By Pete Grathoff
The Kansas City Star
Why can’t Shaquille O’Neal make free throws? Why did Wilt Chamberlain, who seemingly could score at will, falter at the line?
Leave it to a physics professor to offer an answer for why many big men struggle at the stripe.
It’s a problem that’s plagued players in the past — Chamberlain (7-foot-1, 51.1 percent free-throw shooter for his career) and Chris Dudley (6-foot-11, 45.8 percent) — and the present — Shaq (7-foot-1, 52.7 percent) and Ben Wallace (6-foot-9, 41.8 percent).
John Fontanella, a former college basketball player who teaches at the U.S. Naval Academy, is author of the book 'The Physics of Basketball.' He explained why tall guys have trouble.
In his book, Fontanella writes that the “window” for the ball to get nothing but net becomes slightly smaller as the height of release increases. However, he goes on to write that with some fine-tuning, such as adjusting the launch angle to lower values, they should be able to achieve an even higher percentage.
Kids, look away now, its about to get ugly ...
Friday, October 31, 2008
How NOT to shoot free throws
I came across this post on Dime this morning. You know how you have dreams/nightmares about playing basketball (or other sports) and no matter what you can't do anything right? No, um ok ... maybe its just me then. I have them about basketball and golf. You're in a game and you just can't hit a shot ... not a lay-up, your jumper is literally coming out sideways, its horrible. The harder you try, the worse it gets. Chuck Hayes has had this in real life ... painful to watch. Chuck, give me a call, I'll fix that glitch.
Dime: Daily NBA News, NBA Trades, NBA Rumors, Basketball Videos, Sneakers
Chuck Hayes Worked On His Free Throw Shooting
By Andrew Katz
Thank goodness Chuck Hayes has spent some time in the offseason at the stripe. After being laughed at by Allen Iverson and the entirety of Denver last December when shooting a tech, Hayes seems to have worked out the kink in his form.
Dime: Daily NBA News, NBA Trades, NBA Rumors, Basketball Videos, Sneakers
Chuck Hayes Worked On His Free Throw Shooting
By Andrew Katz
Thank goodness Chuck Hayes has spent some time in the offseason at the stripe. After being laughed at by Allen Iverson and the entirety of Denver last December when shooting a tech, Hayes seems to have worked out the kink in his form.
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