Free Throws Comparison (last year)

[waterhead]

It is still a young season with most of our high pressure games still coming but there are some interesting trends in FT's when we look at this year compared to last.

As a team we are at 71% and last year 65%.

SK...86%-74% (that's a big jump)
JJ...49%-51% (not much movement)
TR...71%-66% (still about the same)
JS...69%-53% (big jump so far)
ST...71%-48% (another big jump)
GG...59%-83% (wrong direction)

TC is at 78%
KJ is at 73%
JL is at 50%

We lost...

Cash at 80%
Parker at 54%
Mooj at 68%

 

[bearcat jeff]

JJ shoots better when he puts less arc on his foul shoot. He has to shoot better from the line in league play. Even 60% would be big since he is becoming a consistent offensive weapon.

 

[JumpinJack5]

JJ shoots better when he puts less arc on his foul shoot. He has to shoot better from the line in league play. Even 60% would be big since he is becoming a consistent offensive weapon.

Maybe he could let Shaq Thomas borrow some of his arc???

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

It certainly helps when Sean Kilpatrick has taken 25% of the free throw attempts and is shooting at 86.5%.

 

[UCalum08]

I hope we see Shaq learn how to get fouled. He has a pretty good ft routine. Right now he avoids contact too much.

 

[CaptDale]

I hope we see Shaq learn how to get fouled. He has a pretty good ft routine. Right now he avoids contact too much.

Agreed. He drives but just doesn't finish. Reminds me of the way Munchie runs with the football (scared). Shaquille needs a little coaching from Parker - he had no fear. Shaquille simply may not know how to accept constructive/instructive criticism -part of the maturation process. That's why when you see Mick go over to him after a yank, rarely does Shaquille look at Mick when Mick's talking. (Hope it's not his breath). As much as everybody hates Huggins here, when he got in his player's face, it was standing up, eye-to-eye. What was different with Huggs was that his players talked back to him (which obviously he endorsed). I don't agree with that philosophy, but each coach has their own "thing". It's tough to go from being worshipped on your HS team to a position of role player on your college team. It's all mental. When you understand that, you mature and excel. The first step is admitting you have a problem, then step two is you deal with it.
Before late in the season, I predict Shaquille will get the big picture. I hope I'm correct because we need him as a vital part of this team.

 

[waterhead]

Maybe he could let Shaq Thomas borrow some of his arc???

You know so much gets said about Shaq's arc and I completely agree it should have been addressed...but the bottom line is making shots and he's really not that bad. FT's over 70%...3 pointers 33% (not his game)...FG% 44% (basically tied with SK for 2nd on team).

Good shot or bad shot...if you make them...It's all good to me. Could he make more of them? Maybe so...but I don't think it's what is holding him back.

 

[CaptDale]

You know so much gets said about Shaq's arc and I completely agree it should have been addressed...but the bottom line is making shots and he's really not that bad. FT's over 70%...3 pointers 33% (not his game)...FG% 44% (basically tied with SK for 2nd on team).

Good shot or bad shot...if you make them...It's all good to me. Could he make more of them? Maybe so...but I don't think it's what is holding him back.

But it is what's holding his percentages down.

 

[waterhead]

But it is what's holding his percentages down.

His percentages aren't down. He's basically tied for second on the team in FG% with SK. Only JJ has a much better FG%.

 

[CaptDale]

His percentages aren't down. He's basically tied for second on the team in FG% with SK. Only JJ has a much better FG%.

I meant down from where they could be - potentially.

 

[waterhead]

I meant down from where they could be - potentially.

I agree with you there for sure

 

[waterhead]

I meant down from where they could be - potentially.

But I still think his problems aren't with shotting %...it has much more to do with confidence and assertiveness and instinct on the court. He and JL seem a bit lost out there on what to do. Maybe that's the offensive system that is holding them down...or not finding ways to use their talents to exploit.

JL has a good shot...ST has a good shooting %. It has to be something else IMO.

 

[CaptDale]

But I still think his problems aren't with shotting %...it has much more to do with confidence and assertiveness and instinct on the court. He and JL seem a bit lost out there on what to do. Maybe that's the offensive system that is holding them down...or not finding ways to use their talents to exploit.

JL has a good shot...ST has a good shooting %. It has to be something else IMO.

JL has a soft touch, but I think it would behoove him to use the glass a little more like JJ does. ST just lacks the slipperiness to worm his way to the glass like...........well, we don't really have anybody that's proved they can do that consistently - but TC did make one drive with an explosive move through the lane starting atop the key after having brought the ball upcourt - but just one.

 

[JumpinJack5]

But I still think his problems aren't with shotting %...it has much more to do with confidence and assertiveness and instinct on the court. He and JL seem a bit lost out there on what to do. Maybe that's the offensive system that is holding them down...or not finding ways to use their talents to exploit.

JL has a good shot...ST has a good shooting %. It has to be something else IMO.

Sometimes I think Mick comes up with some excuses so that he doesn't hurt some of the younger player's confidence. With JL, I buy what he is saying. He only played 4 games last year, so I think his tentativeness is due to him 1) being inexperienced and 2) shaking off the rust. Give him time, he definitely deserves a longer leash them ST.

 

[Robert]

The arc issue with Shaq can be addressed without screwing him up. I think he can be corrected with a couple minor tweaks. Don't try to make him have textbook arc because, that's just not going to happen. Just work with him to nudge his trajectory up a tiny bit. Also work with him on shooting at the top of his jump -- too often he shoots on the way down. Don't mess with his form or stroke one bit and don't try to reinvent the wheel. If he can accept some instruction and make a few minor tweaks to his game this off-season, he can be a double-digit scorer and a go-to guy in the clutch for the next 2 years.

 

[UCalum08]

The arc issue with Shaq can be addressed without screwing him up. I think he can be corrected with a couple minor tweaks. Don't try to make him have textbook arc because, that's just not going to happen. Just work with him to nudge his trajectory up a tiny bit. Also work with him on shooting at the top of his jump -- too often he shoots on the way down. Don't mess with his form or stroke one bit and don't try to reinvent the wheel. If he can accept some instruction and make a few minor tweaks to his game this off-season, he can be a double-digit scorer and a go-to guy in the clutch for the next 2 years.

Good point Robert. I was just going to say, when I watch Shaq play, especially in person, its all about his release point of his jumper. He has great jumping ability but there are a lot of times he is releasing his shot when he is coming down.I am sure he is working on that but that is the biggest issue with his shot, imo.