http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/DimeMagazine I think Rick Barry can be pretty damn arrogant sometimes but seriously Shaq, you can't shoot freethrows and you're consistently a joke in crunchtime because teams will just foul you down the stretch. Do your team a favor and learn to shoot the damn ball. Plus Rick Barry isn't even the first person he's blown off when it comes to freethrow shooting.
If it would make even a decent change for the better in my free throw percentage and helped my team win, no question I would.
If it meant that I hit a higher percentage of free shots, I'd stand on my head and shoot 'em. Shaq's attitude towards this issue is horrendous and is precisely why he falls out of the upper echelon of top 5 big men of all time. He is a huge liability in crunch time. And he will wind up losing at least one ring because of his horrid FT shooting, if he hasn't already.
what does shooting underhanded look like? Anyone got a youtube clip? I know what granny style is but I doubt Barry shot like that.
Granted, Shaq has a huge ego, although I will argue that it's well-earned. He might rub you the wrong way or whatever, and that's fine. But don't give me that crap about how he "might not even be in the top five", you're an absolute joke if you think there have been five centers in league history that had more impact and/or are flat out better than Shaquille. I will give you Wilt, Kareem, Russell, and Dream...who else would you argue is better than Shaq? The guy has four championships, only Russell and Kareem have had as many or more. Come on guys, stop drinking the haterade. You don't have to like the guy, but you have to admit his greatness.
Found one: <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NKK_35zQA8E"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NKK_35zQA8E" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Seriously, knowing Shaq the way we do, none of you guys think there's a chance he may have been just joking around?
No he's serious. Rick Barry has asked about this before and Shaq said he would go with the underhanded freethrow only to later blow him off. And more importantly, he blew off tex winter when he was in LA over free throws as well. The guy has just been an ass to whoever has tried to help him.
I always figured Shaq would be better off trying the underhand (had no idea anyone of credibility shared my view). He has no touch on his shot, there is no room for error. He can get some decent bounce with an underhand, it would be much more forgiving. It would seriously be an improvement. Pat Riley should make him try it, they do pay him after all... Shaq is pretty laid back but every so often he makes an ass of himself.
i saw some program where barry was breaking down the underhand free-throw. i tried it and it wasn't as easy as he made it look but it was interesting. he uses a lot of wrist action. shaq at the minimum doesn't make himself look great by not trying something. it really is sad that you're one of the most dominant players in the game who becomes a liability in the stretch. try something.
That underhand free throw shot is soooooooo inaccurate, ugly, and lame!! I just tried it couple minutes ago in my backyard and it's lame, it goes in like 2 out of 10 tries. And it's not even swish.
While you're lecturing us, why don't you lecture Shaq and tell him to stop drinking "haterade". What is what he said any different then what you're lecturing people over said?
