Shaq, your inner Rick Barry is calling...

[scoutmasterdave]

Dude, seriously, start shooting free throws under-handed. Why on Earth doesn't he try this? Better question - why hasn't a single coach of his made him try it? He has a wrist issue that prevents him from getting the angle he needs for backspin, so why not try something else? It's not like his current approach is doing anyone any favors...

 

[abomb]

It is like every thread on Lakers message boards circa 1999-2003 are making their way here...

 

[scoutmasterdave]

It is like every thread on Lakers message boards circa 1999-2003 are making their way here...

LOL - I'm sure.

 

[French Fries]

shaq once said he won't do it because it's goofy (yeah, like his shots aren't goofy enough already)

 

[mojorizen7]

I'd like to see the SUNS work on Shaq missing the second FT intentionally in order to get the rebound.

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[LakeShowMan]

Lakers coaches tried to get him to do it all the time. He made them in practice sessions doing them granny style, but admitted that he thought he looked ridiculous.

 

[TheKid_1]

I was thinking about this last night. However, instead of shooting them underhand "goofy style" why not try to bank them?! When he shoots the ball now it is very flat. If he would just do the exact same thing but put it off the glass, wouldn't that work?

 

[Yuma]

I tried both methods when I used to play, and banking them in seemed to work better for me. I do lack Shaq's angle of release since I am not 7 feet tall. My hands are also somewhat smaller than snow shovel size!

 

[devilalum]

I wish his inner Wes Unseld would call.



http://www.nba.com/history/players/unseld_summary.html

 

[Mathew81]

I was talking about this last night but I realized, if he hasn't done it by now, he never will.

 

[TJ]

It is what it is. He will always be a 50% FT shooter. Im more worried about his spring in his step. He gets no lift on his hook shot and doesnt jump high enough to slam it in. I know we brought him in for defense and rebounds, but it would be nice if he averaged at least 15 PPG

 

[BillsCarnage]

Rick Berry offered to help him w/ FT's and Shaq turned him down. He busted his wrist when he was 12, i think, and that prevents him from having the shooters flip of the wrist. He basically pushes the ball to the rim.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

It is what it is. He will always be a 50% FT shooter. Im more worried about his spring in his step. He gets no lift on his hook shot and doesnt jump high enough to slam it in. I know we brought him in for defense and rebounds, but it would be nice if he averaged at least 15 PPG

Yeah he has less zing in his jump than amare did right after surgery. I'd rather him work on his ability to get to the rim and finish.

 

[ambchang_]

Shaq once said "Rick Barry’s resume is not good enough to even come into my office to be qualified for a job. I will shoot negative-30 percent before I shoot underhanded."
Gotta admit, the guy is pretty funny.

 

[shazaam6]

If his right wrist is screwed up...Shoot left handed then. I could learn to make better than 50% lefty if I practiced with good form.

 

[Darth Llama]

Dude, seriously, start shooting free throws under-handed. Why on Earth doesn't he try this? Better question - why hasn't a single coach of his made him try it? He has a wrist issue that prevents him from getting the angle he needs for backspin, so why not try something else? It's not like his current approach is doing anyone any favors...

This topic has been discussed thousands of times. There is one key problem with changing Shaq's technique and that's the fact that he makes them constantly in practice. Many times Shaq has worked with people who have claimed they have improved his technique based on how he shoots in practice, only to see him put in a game and go 3-12 from the line. The problem with Shaq is purely mental. If you don't believe me, watch clips of his college games. The guy was a really good free throw shooter, then he went to the NBA and suddenly he can't hit it. It has nothing to do with his wrist, it's been an issue with Shaq from day one, the wrist is just another excuse. The free throw has always been Shaq's only weakness, if he could hit them consistently, his numbers would be even more scary then they already are.

 

[Delmon Young]

Shaq once said "Rick Barry’s resume is not good enough to even come into my office to be qualified for a job. I will shoot negative-30 percent before I shoot underhanded."
Gotta admit, the guy is pretty funny.

Shaq's arrogance is ridiculous at times. Rick Barry is a top 50 player of all-time and one of the great scorers in league history, but Shaq's ego is too big for him to see the light. What would Rick Barry know after all?

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

Shaq's arrogance is ridiculous at times. Rick Barry is a top 50 player of all-time and one of the great scorers in league history, but Shaq's ego is too big for him to see the light. What would Rick Barry know after all?

Plus, you dont need a huge resume to be an expert in one field. Im sure he doesnt require his physical trainer to be an elite ironman, or his car salesman to be a CPA.

A near flawless freethrow shooter doesnt need to win dunk contests of MVPs in order to show shaq a few tips and tricks.

With how goofy and charismatic shaq is already, Im surprised he doesnt add the granny shot to his arsenal. Personally, I would be more embarrassed when a whole new routine is invented to prey upon my weakness. He should cry himself to sleep every night a commentator or coach udders the phrase "hackashaq," even when it's not directed at him.

 

[Louis]

Why even care at this point? Guy is 2 seasons away from hanging up his size 22s.

Accept it and move on.

The Suns have bigger problems than Shaq's FT shooting.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

What Shaq needs to do is start practicing free throws on his knees, or sitting down in a chair. He needs to get trajectory on the shot.

 

[BirdMan21]

This topic has been discussed thousands of times. There is one key problem with changing Shaq's technique and that's the fact that he makes them constantly in practice. Many times Shaq has worked with people who have claimed they have improved his technique based on how he shoots in practice, only to see him put in a game and go 3-12 from the line. The problem with Shaq is purely mental. If you don't believe me, watch clips of his college games. The guy was a really good free throw shooter, then he went to the NBA and suddenly he can't hit it. It has nothing to do with his wrist, it's been an issue with Shaq from day one, the wrist is just another excuse. The free throw has always been Shaq's only weakness, if he could hit them consistently, his numbers would be even more scary then they already are.

I don't know if I would say he was really good....looks to me like he is right about where he was in college.

1989-90 .556
1990-91 .638
1991-92 .528
Career .575

NBA Career - .524

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/onealsh01.html

 

[TucsonDevil]

What Shaq needs to do is start practicing free throws on his knees, or sitting down in a chair. He needs to get trajectory on the shot.

Or, start one foot away from the rim, make 10.. then move back 2 ft, make 10... then move back 2 ft, make 10... etc, until you reach the FT line.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Or, start one foot away from the rim, make 10.. then move back 2 ft, make 10... then move back 2 ft, make 10... etc, until you reach the FT line.

I don't think that would do as good of a job. If you sit on your butt and shoot a shot, any shot, the ball has to go much more vertical, than horizontal to reach the rim. With Shaq being so tall, with such long arms. He can shoot the ball down and still make it no problem.

 

[green machine]

Or, start one foot away from the rim, make 10.. then move back 2 ft, make 10... then move back 2 ft, make 10... etc, until you reach the FT line.

I think I heard on a Suns broadcast that this is exactly what they've been doing with Shaq.

 

[D-Dogg]

Something about old dogs and new tricks.