Be Thankful We Don't Have A "Liability" At The FT Line

[Phantom255x]

Watching that Clippers-Jazz game, it was pretty sad seeing, in a GAME 7, DeAndre Jordan BRICKING free throws late down by like 10. Not that the Clippers would have definitely won if he made them, but it would have gotten them closer. Instead, the Clippers hopelessly saw their chance go out the window with every "airball" by Jordan at the line... 

And in the OKC-HOU series, Andre Roberson was like 2-19 from the line and IMO cost OKC late in a "winnable" Game 4 when he kept bricking FT's while the team was only down like 3-5 points.

Moral of the story: Be thankful there isn't that guy on the Celtics

Yes, besides IT, everyone may miss here or there, but they shoot at a relatively good rate and there aren't many liabilities in that department. Otherwise, I think that would send this blog into a frenzy and a "Trade this [bum]" crowd... 

[Big333223]

Good point.

Having a guy who just can't make them can be really frustrating to watch when it comes to crunch time. Even Smart shot over 80% from the line this season.

[Phantom255x]

Good point.

Having a guy who just can't make them can be really frustrating to watch when it comes to crunch time. Even Smart shot over 80% from the line this season.

Yep, and as I said, imagine having it happen to your team with like 2-3 minutes left in a GAME 7.

[esel1000]

This is why I've soured on wanting a guy like Jordan or Drummond...

Ft shooting is a neccessity in today's game... unlike you're otherworldy like Shaq and can make up for bad ft shooting with elite offense (which neither of those guys can) then it's a huge detriment to the team.

[Smokeeye123]

I wonder if front offices take FT% more seriously than the average fan. Clearly being able to shoot and make FT's are huge and the difference between winning and losing a close playoff game.

[Ogaju]

and just to think, the entire Clipper brass went to Texas to beg this guy not to reneg on his commitment to Dallas and to re-sign with the Clippers.

[Ogaju]

I wonder if front offices take FT% more seriously than the average fan. Clearly being able to shoot and make FT's are huge and the difference between winning and losing a close playoff game.

If they did this guy would not make the US Olympic team.

[Chef Parish]

Totally agree!

[csfansince60s]

 As much as I blame Stevens for our lack of pure rebounding and rim protecting, because I feel he has too much say in personnel decisions, I have to give him credit for this,  for exactly the same reason.

Brad Stevens likes shooters.

[Witch-King]

The Celtics were the best free throw shooting team in the league this season. In game 5 we were perfect from the line as a team.

[jambr380]

I love D Jordan. It is a real advantage for a team to just throw the ball in vicinity of the rim and have Jordan catch it and throw it down. The poor ft shooting is a shame - he seems like a good, hardworking guy and I would gladly take him.

But it is nice having all of our players be at least solid from the line. I only wish KO would focus more on his first ft. There is no reason for him to be missing free-throws - he is too good of a shooter.

[CelticsElite]

It really makes me appreciate bigs like horford, who have more than 1 move offensively and aren't liability at the stripe

I also hope we don't draft Jackson for this reason

[rochrist]

Watching that Clippers-Jazz game, it was pretty sad seeing, in a GAME 7, DeAndre Jordan BRICKING free throws late down by like 10. Not that the Clippers would have definitely won if he made them, but it would have gotten them closer. Instead, the Clippers hopelessly saw their chance go out the window with every "airball" by Jordan at the line... 

And in the OKC-HOU series, Andre Roberson was like 2-19 from the line and IMO cost OKC late in a "winnable" Game 4 when he kept bricking FT's while the team was only down like 3-5 points.

Moral of the story: Be thankful there isn't that guy on the Celtics


Yes, besides IT, everyone may miss here or there, but they shoot at a relatively good rate and there aren't many liabilities in that department. Otherwise, I think that would send this blog into a frenzy and a "Trade this [bum]" crowd... 

This is why the continuing call for the NBA to do something about the hack-a-shaq strategy infuriates me. Learn to make free throws. If you don't, don't whine when the other team fouls you late in the game.

[slamtheking]

Watching that Clippers-Jazz game, it was pretty sad seeing, in a GAME 7, DeAndre Jordan BRICKING free throws late down by like 10. Not that the Clippers would have definitely won if he made them, but it would have gotten them closer. Instead, the Clippers hopelessly saw their chance go out the window with every "airball" by Jordan at the line... 

And in the OKC-HOU series, Andre Roberson was like 2-19 from the line and IMO cost OKC late in a "winnable" Game 4 when he kept bricking FT's while the team was only down like 3-5 points.

Moral of the story: Be thankful there isn't that guy on the Celtics


Yes, besides IT, everyone may miss here or there, but they shoot at a relatively good rate and there aren't many liabilities in that department. Otherwise, I think that would send this blog into a frenzy and a "Trade this [bum]" crowd... 

This is why the continuing call for the NBA to do something about the hack-a-shaq strategy infuriates me. Learn to make free throws. If you don't, don't whine when the other team fouls you late in the game.

agreed.  the rule doesn't need to be changed.  players need to make FTs if they don't want to be paraded to the line as the weak link they are.

[SparzWizard]

Watching that Clippers-Jazz game, it was pretty sad seeing, in a GAME 7, DeAndre Jordan BRICKING free throws late down by like 10. Not that the Clippers would have definitely won if he made them, but it would have gotten them closer. Instead, the Clippers hopelessly saw their chance go out the window with every "airball" by Jordan at the line... 

And in the OKC-HOU series, Andre Roberson was like 2-19 from the line and IMO cost OKC late in a "winnable" Game 4 when he kept bricking FT's while the team was only down like 3-5 points.

Moral of the story: Be thankful there isn't that guy on the Celtics


Yes, besides IT, everyone may miss here or there, but they shoot at a relatively good rate and there aren't many liabilities in that department. Otherwise, I think that would send this blog into a frenzy and a "Trade this [bum]" crowd... 

This is why the continuing call for the NBA to do something about the hack-a-shaq strategy infuriates me. Learn to make free throws. If you don't, don't whine when the other team fouls you late in the game.

agreed.  the rule doesn't need to be changed.  players need to make FTs if they don't want to be paraded to the line as the weak link they are.

Guys are getting paid MILLIONS to put a ball through a basket hoop, too. Seriously...PRACTICE!