Anyone notice that Sengun got rid of his “signature” talking to the ball free throw routine ever since the December 13th game against Memphis? Before that game he was shooting 63.7% from the line in the first 20 games this year. Last year he shot 71.5% and his rookie year he shot 71.1%. In the 10 games since he changed his free throw routine he is shooting 83.8% from the line. Now I would have chalked this up to small samples except his poor free throw percentage since joining the NBA was the head scratcher. In his final season in the Turkish league he led the league in free throw attempts and shot 79.4% from the line. Hopefully this is a sign that he is getting back to that because his free throw shooting was one of his last weaknesses left. Amazing how our franchise player keeps improving year to year and even within the season.
He talks but not to the ball anymore. He says something while holding the ball down. You can see it on his second free throw in the 76ers game. Someone who can lip read in Turkish should easily transcribe it.
The ball has already received all the instructions it needs. Now Sengun just needs to talk to himself.
Think Gatlin covered it on one of the podcasts. On his free throw routine, used to be he would bring the ball up and say a prayer. Now he doesn't the bring the ball up, but supposedly he still mutters some quick words, when the ball is at waist level. Routine is faster. Also less risk of running into the 10 sec rule.
He only needed to talk to the ball after Smilas and KPJ Cast Awayed him off to an island. You're on solid ground now Alpi!
He was very good at the FT line for the national team. I think he had some sort of mental blockade and the new routine helped him overcome it
