NBA players and the Backboard

[herkulease]

I have always been bothered by this but why don't NBA players use the backboard on free throws. Especially guys like Shaq, Ben Wallace, guys who suck at shooting free throws.

There are no rules prohibiting the use of the backboard. These guys should be hitting at 95% of free throws if they bothered using the backboard. 95% free throw shooting is not impossible either. several players have already done so.

The object of the game is to win, I can't think of how many times teams lose games for not converting better at the free throw line.

So why don't they use it? Doesn't look pro enough? What do you think?

 

[axelfox]

Ugly.

Plus it might be harder hitting straight on. They should try shooting it from the corner and then bank it.

 

[Amplifier]

Here's an article

And if the players had the motivation to learn a new form of freethrow shooting they wouldn't be shooting under 50% to begin with.

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

i don't know how much bball you play, but to consistently make free throws off the backboard is not that easy.

Also regarding the 95%, even the best shooters to ever play in the nba couldn't shoot 95% for their career.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Shoot for the circle or shoot for the square... Your odds are the same. Doesn't make a diff.

 

[herkulease]

Originally posted by: cHeeZeFacTory
i don't know how much bball you play, but to consistently make free throws off the backboard is not that easy.

Also regarding the 95%, even the best shooters to ever play in the nba couldn't shoot 95% for their career.

I play more than enough. But these guys are PRO players. this is their living, they practice day in a day out.

95% shooting in a career is indeed tough. NBA career best is 90%, top five all time career % is 89%+

link

In a single season three guys have done it.

link

 

[slpaulson]

I would think that Shaq would benifit from banking his in, since he gets no arc on his free throws...

 

[Miramonti]

Why should they? What makes the backboard so special?

A backboard shot at that distance is generally a flatter shot and has less arc, so its contrary to the rhythem shots that they normally shoot and practice at that distance.

The guinuess world record is 2,750 free throws in a row, and the 76 year old who set it a few years back didn't use the backboard either.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: cRazYdood
I would think that Shaq would benifit from banking his in, since he gets no arc on his free throws...

That may be so.

 

[cHeeZeFacTory]

Originally posted by: herkulease

Originally posted by: cHeeZeFacTory
i don't know how much bball you play, but to consistently make free throws off the backboard is not that easy.

Also regarding the 95%, even the best shooters to ever play in the nba couldn't shoot 95% for their career.

I play more than enough. But these guys are PRO players. this is their living, they practice day in a day out.

95% shooting in a career is indeed tough. NBA career best is 90%, top five all time career % is 89%+

link

In a single season three guys have done it.

link

you said it, only a FEW guys have made 90% + in their careers. The guys that have are expert pure shooters. Shooting off the backboard will not turn anyone into a 95% shooter, and definately not Shaq.

Plus the way shaq shoots, the ball will crash straight into the backboard and fly off w/o even hitting the rim.

Shaq for his whole career does not care about his shooting fundamentals. Shaq wins with his enormously wide frame, crazy athleticism and quickness (when he was in his prime) for a guy his size.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: cRazYdood
I would think that Shaq would benifit from banking his in, since he gets no arc on his free throws...

Solution: shoot underhanded, automatic arc.

 

[SludgeFactory]

from FT distance, there's less margin for error with the banked shot. If you don't hit a fairly precise spot on the backboard, the shot is going to bounce off and hit rim and go flying away. There aren't really any friendly rolls or bounces with banked shots launched from that distance.

If you're aiming at the rim, a shot with good arc and backspin can hit on top of the front of the rim and roll on in, you see it all the time. That's why they shoot them that way.

If banking was so much easier, somebody before you would have figured it out and everybody would be doing it for their FT's.

 

[JSFLY]

Originally posted by: herkulease
I have always been bothered by this but why don't NBA players use the backboard on free throws. Especially guys like Shaq, Ben Wallace, guys who suck at shooting free throws.

There are no rules prohibiting the use of the backboard. These guys should be hitting at 95% of free throws if they bothered using the backboard. 95% free throw shooting is not impossible either. several players have already done so.

The object of the game is to win, I can't think of how many times teams lose games for not converting better at the free throw line.

So why don't they use it? Doesn't look pro enough? What do you think?

They dont wanna look n00b. Its also the reason why shaq doesnt throw his freethrows underhanded.