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Why don't the Dwight Howards, DeAndre Jordans, Tristan Thompsons try the underhand FT?

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by sinobball, Jun 25, 2016.

  1. Lurch

    Lurch Live Wilder.

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    I would say ego. Guys that have made it to the pinnacle of their profession don't want to do something as simple as a free throw the same way a 3rd grade girl might do it.
     
  2. cdrive

    cdrive Contributing Member

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  3. HTown_TMac

    HTown_TMac Member

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    This is what it is, but..How does missing over half of your FTs a ego booster?
     
  4. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
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    It's easier for people who do not have good shooting touch with the wrist. Most poor FT shooters are also poor jump shooters. The overhead jump shot requires good touch with the wrist.

    The underhand motion is much simpler, involving fewer motor muscle memories. Therefore it has less chance of screwing up due to in-game pressure situations.

    It is true that it's a totally different skill and therefore requires you to learn it from scratch. But if you practiced a 1000 underhand FT a day, I am pretty sure you'd be good at it.
     
    #24 Easy, Jun 26, 2016
    Last edited: Jun 26, 2016
  5. Houston22

    Houston22 Member

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    Most moronic claim ever.
    Even us recreational players that when you are alone shooting FTs in the gym, you get to 20-something straight baskets, but later in a live game it's totally different..
     
  6. Houston22

    Houston22 Member

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    OK, maybe not "ever", but moronic nonetheless :)
     
  7. Dankstronaut

    Dankstronaut Way, way out here.
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    Why don't they try practicing until they can make a shot?
     
  8. intergalactic

    intergalactic Contributing Member

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    Onuaku just started it this year and already improved from 46% overhand to 58% underhand. With another year I bet he'll be over 70%.
     
  9. Ziggy

    Ziggy QUEEN ANON

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    Lulz, every year Rick Barry shows up on some random radio show talking underhand free throws. Just let it die...
     
  10. intergalactic

    intergalactic Contributing Member

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    True, but it actually works. Capela and Harrell would be hugely more valuable even with just a 10% FT bump. I hope they can learn it from Onuaku.
     
  11. Kruze10

    Kruze10 Member

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    How much more valuable DH would have been had he just made 10% to 15% more of his FT's!?!? Team's would be less inclined to foul him. Opposing players would avoid battling him once he had the ball in the paint. It would drastically change the makeup of the team.
     
  12. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    Thats assuming Dwight shot FTs better underhanded. Dwight is an 80%+ FT shooter in practice. It isn't about the shooting free throws its about making free throws in a game.
     
  13. intergalactic

    intergalactic Contributing Member

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    First, is that accurate? People said the same thing about Shaq. Then you see how terrible his and Howard's form was in games, and it's really hard to believe.

    Second, underhand FTs are psychologically better because there are fewer checkpoints involved. For repetitive activities like FTs, it's vital to simplify and keep your brain out of it. Howard can't shoot FTs in games because he gets hyped up and then tries really hard to concentrate when he gets to the line. That's exactly the wrong thing to do. Your brain needs to go on autopilot instead. And it's easier to do that when there are fewer steps involved.
     
  14. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    [​IMG]

    No body shots as well as they do in practice, but in dwights case it is much much worse.
     
  15. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Contributing Member

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    I'm glad he's coming into the league already shooting underhanded. It might be a blow to one's pride to shoot underhanded, but it'd be even worse to switch to underhanded as a veteran because you're overhand shot has sucked for years.

    Maybe he'll shoot 90% in practice.
     
  16. intergalactic

    intergalactic Contributing Member

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    Thanks for this. Yup, then you're right it's a psychological issue. I do think it's important to make things as easy on your brain as possible, though. Shooting underhanded may actually be better because it's an activity completely different from in-game shooting. You automatically take your mind to a separate place. On the other hand, shooting a free throw overhand is just different enough from an in-game jumpshot that your mind can confuse the two, especially when you're tired or under pressure. I feel like that's what happens to Dwight.
     
  17. hoopster325

    hoopster325 Member

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    Teams should contractual obligate their centers to shoot underhand.
     

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