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Are Rockets fans to blame for Dwight Howard's free throw woes?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Carl Herrera, Nov 12, 2013.

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  1. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Member

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    This season so far:

    Dwight Howard's free throw % in home games: 36.4%
    Dwight Howard's free throw % in road games: 65.6%

    Last season

    Dwight Howard's free throw % in home games: 45.4%
    Dwight Howard's free throw % in road games: 53.8%

    http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/howardw01/splits/2014/

    Now, this could be random, and his numbers in Orlando don't look like this. My theory is that Dwight Howard has been feeling the pressure not to disappoint his new home fans, leading to those free throw misses.

    I recall that there was a study (discussed at the Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and on Truehoop, I think) that says that players are a bit better at making "crunch time" free throws in tight games when they are on the road. The theory is that the home crowd, with its silent anticipation, makes guys more nervous and throw off their fine motor functions where as the loud road crowd (with thunder sticks and all) actually have more of a calming effect or at least doesn't stress guys out as much.

    With Dwight, every free throw, not just the "crunch time" ones, is being watched like hawk. You can hear home fans sigh when he misses one. I am thinking that he didn't have the disparity back in Orlando because he was comfortable and people kind of knew him for what he was. But with Lakers fans and now Rockets fans, he was supposed to come in and bring a title and dominate, putting more pressure on him. Kind of the difference between a long time marriage and a first date.

    So... solutions? Maybe we should hand thunder sticks to home fans and ask everyone to get loud during every Rockets free throw? Maybe have Dwight Howard practice free throws with a full arena crowd to help him get used to the nervous energy? He apparently makes FTs in practice but one thing absent in practice is the pressure of being watched by thousands (and many more via TV, though not as many due to the CSN situation).
     
    #1 Carl Herrera, Nov 12, 2013
  2. XIrocket

    XIrocket Member

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    yes we are...we are also to blame for Mchale's stupid coaching
     
    #2 XIrocket, Nov 12, 2013
  3. conquistador#11

    conquistador#11 Member

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    i blame architect steve francis when he built toyota center. he forgot to calculate the right amount of depth perception
     
    #3 conquistador#11, Nov 12, 2013
    1 person likes this.
  4. AvgJoe

    AvgJoe Member

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    so you saying we shouldn't go to the games
     
    #4 AvgJoe, Nov 12, 2013
  5. Nero

    Nero Member

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    Actually, I think he should just practice.

    A lot.
     
    #5 Nero, Nov 12, 2013
  6. Akkuron

    Akkuron Member

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    Go incognito, dressed as fans of the other team.
     
    #6 Akkuron, Nov 12, 2013
  7. zdrav

    zdrav Member

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    If he can't hit free throws—which should be to a basketball player what chopping onions is to a pro chef—because there's waahwaah too much pressure, how the hell is he going to deliver a title when the whole city's leaning on him?

    Come on now. I want Dwight to excel, but this is a pathetic excuse.
     
    #7 zdrav, Nov 12, 2013
  8. Kam

    Kam Member

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    Man, our home fans are so stupid. Everyone is clapping and making noise when we shoot free throws. I swear we have dumb people in the stands. I like my section. I have good fans.
     
    #8 Kam, Nov 12, 2013
  9. Case Keenum

    Case Keenum Member

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    It's mental. Much more pressure to hit those freebies in front of fans than the opposition's fans. My $.02
     
    #9 Case Keenum, Nov 12, 2013
  10. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

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    People already don't show up. I was at the game last night and half the lower bowl was empty and so was 1/4 of the upper bowl.
     
    #10 Air Langhi, Nov 12, 2013
  11. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #11 Carl Herrera, Nov 12, 2013
    1 person likes this.
  12. Whoopy

    Whoopy Member

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    Just reinforces that he cracks under pressure.
     
    #12 Whoopy, Nov 12, 2013
  13. robbie380

    robbie380 ლ(▀̿Ĺ̯▀̿ ̿ლ)
    Supporting Member

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    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #13 robbie380, Nov 12, 2013
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2013
  14. Captain Hook

    Captain Hook Member

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    Maybe would should put Jonathan Martin in the stands!
     
    #14 Captain Hook, Nov 12, 2013
  15. jayhow92

    jayhow92 Member

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    It's the mental portion that's killing Dwight (aside from the terrible mechanics)
     
    #15 jayhow92, Nov 12, 2013
  16. acsorelle4

    acsorelle4 Member

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    Maybe we can trade him for Patrick Patterson before the trade deadline. We do really need an all-star caliber power forward. :grin:
     
    #16 acsorelle4, Nov 12, 2013
  17. acsorelle4

    acsorelle4 Member

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    Then why is Dwight having a hard time?

    <div id="fb-root"></div> <script>(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script>
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    #17 acsorelle4, Nov 12, 2013
  18. tycoonchip

    tycoonchip Member

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    If anything him and shooting coach needs to be there with him and pushing him all day long. If he really wanted to get better he would.
     
    #18 tycoonchip, Nov 12, 2013
  19. shastarocket

    shastarocket Member

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    So during yesterday's T-wolves @ Clippers game, somewhere late in the 4th DeAndre Jordan goes up for important free throws.

    He misses the first one REALLY bad (short armed air ball in front of the rim!)

    The crowd groans and DeAndre slumps over and takes a deep breath.

    Then, the crowd starts clapping and cheering to help him feel better, and doesn't quiet down when he's shooting

    He bricks the second

    lol
     
    #19 shastarocket, Nov 12, 2013
  20. DarkRock

    DarkRock Rookie

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    Morey needs to hire a Feng Shui Master to inspection the Toyota Center.
     
    #20 DarkRock, Nov 12, 2013
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