Why is it that NBA players such as Dwight Howard seem unable to consistently hit free throws?
We watched Shaquille O’Neal clank free throws throughout his career, and now we are watching the new Superman do virtually the same thing.
Are there physical limitations? Lack of discipline? A mental block?
Seriously, what is the problem? I do not want to go down the road of suggesting that kids and grandmothers could do better. However, there are many young athletes out there that have learned to effectively put the ball through the net when shooting from the charity stripe.
I am not looking for Rick Barry numbers. Still, it seems reasonable that a professional basketball player could hit 70 percent of his throws.
So far this season, Howard is converting 47.8 percent from the line. He is on pace to have his worst year from the line in his nine-year career. His best season was his rookie year when he shot a blistering 67.1 percent.
An athlete is eventually going to experience declining skills in terms of strength and speed, but you would think that free throws could maintain some consistency. Besides, Dwight is not that old.
The only theory that I have ever heard had to do with hand size. During O’Neal’s career there was some talk about how it was hard for a guy like him to shoot free throws with such large hands.
That theory might fly if Shaq was the only player with large hands in the NBA. I do not think it would be hard to find other athletes that somehow find a way to shoot over 70 percent despite similar physical traits.
Even though Pau Gasol is subject to constant trade rumors, he still finds a way to hit 75.9 percent of his free throws.
Is there a mentality amongst certain teams and coaches that they just do not expect everyone to hit free throws on a c...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
