Why does Josh stand in the middle of the free throw circle?

[NiquesBiggestFan]

And why does Coach Drew allow it?

Basic basketball fundamentals tells us that at least one of your shoes is at the edge of the free throw line when shooting free throws. Josh stands a foot or more back from the line. And most of the time he shoots it short.

If I were Coach Drew, Josh would be at the line, even if he misses every free throw. He almost accomplishes that now anyway. But at least if he's shooting them properly he has a chance to improve. How the hell can he possibly be shooting from the same spot every time when he is guessing where to stand?

This is an example of why I feel like Drew should be fired. Of course I believe he will be fired but whoever the next coach for Josh Smith is they need to pound some fundamentals in to him.

[Randy]

Simple -he's practicing his mid range jumpers. He probably figures that ideally, he would shoot it from the 3 point line, but the rules don't allow it.

[MaceCase]

Blame this coach

I've noticed TMac, Ivan and now Josh all duplicate this on the team but also a few guys around the league too like JR Smith last night.

Edited May 2, 2013 by MaceCase

[macdaddy]

Head coach is responsible for a lot of things but where players stand to shoot free throws isn't one of them. Backing up from the line is a common technique for guys who really struggle at free throws.

[coachx]

For the season Josh shot 23% on shots between 8 - 15 feet from the basket and 30% from the 3 point line.

Some guys shoot better from further out...........unfortuantely, in this case, better is still not good.

[NiquesBiggestFan]

But it's not working, no matter what excuse anyone tries to throw out there. If it's not gonna work either way, why not do it the right way? Anyway, not gonna argue about it but I think it's dumb and bad coaching as well.

[Sothron]

I have noticed it is not just Josh but Ivan does it as well. Actually last night it looked like Ivan was standing even further back than Josh. I have no idea what the thinking is to move further back.

[AHF]

For the season Josh shot 23% on shots between 8 - 15 feet from the basket and 30% from the 3 point line.

Some guys shoot better from further out...........unfortuantely, in this case, better is still not good.

My guess is that has more to do with the fact that he has a hand near his face from 8, 9, 10, 11, etc. feet but has no one within 5 feet of him when he is beyond the 3pt line and teams are begging him to shoot the ball.

[benhillboy]

That's a question only he can answer.

[HawkItus]

Blame this coach

I've noticed TMac, Ivan and now Josh all duplicate this on the team but also a few guys around the league too like JR Smith last night.

I mean this seems to be the best answer. Nick has coached him to do this.

[AHF]

I mean this seems to be the best answer. Nick has coached him to do this.

Did Josh only start this after Nick came on board?

[HawkItus]

Did Josh only start this after Nick came on board?

Against Chicago this year.

[Bahamut]

Just be glad he doesn't shoot free throws from the 3-point line. It would make as much sense anything else he does.

[thecampster]

This is a common thing tried by big men who struggle with free throw and its designed to assist with depth perception.

The taller you are, the less of an angle to the rim there is (especially straight on). This is the reason most 3 point shooters prefer a slight angle to the basket when shooting. At this point hitting a free throw has turned mental. The change from Josh is in the last 20 games or so. My guess is someone suggested he changed the perception by moving back a few feet.

A smarter suggestion would have been to tell him to move left or right of the basket 6 inches. This would create an angle and make the depth of the basket appear to the shooter's eye.

[NiquesBiggestFan]

This is a common thing tried by big men who struggle with free throw and its designed to assist with depth perception.

The taller you are, the less of an angle to the rim there is (especially straight on). This is the reason most 3 point shooters prefer a slight angle to the basket when shooting. At this point hitting a free throw has turned mental. The change from Josh is in the last 20 games or so. My guess is someone suggested he changed the perception by moving back a few feet.

A smarter suggestion would have been to tell him to move left or right of the basket 6 inches. This would create an angle and make the depth of the basket appear to the shooter's eye.

The smartest suggestion to Josh would be to do it the right way, the same way, and do it a million times a month.

[MaceCase]

A smarter suggestion would have been to tell him to move left or right of the basket 6 inches. This would create an angle and make the depth of the basket appear to the shooter's eye.

The thing is that he IS off center to the right while also being further back.

[PSSSHHHRRR87]

It's not really that big of a deal... Hell, when I played church league and high school ball, I use to stand dead center of the circle. I found that the shot was easier because it wasn't as close and I could judge the shot better. My game is (was) predominately from outside, so it worked for me. As for Josh, who knows...

[Guest]

The smartest suggestion to Josh would be to do it the right way, the same way, and do it a million times a month.

There is no wrong or right way. Players have to find a comfort zone at the line. I dont think he started doing that just to do it - he did it to try and be better. Obviuosly he is still struggling it's more mental and concentrating than anything else. Tiago Splitter was so bad Popovich threatened to bench him-he is now over 70% for season. Edited May 2, 2013 by JayBirdHawk

[Gray Mule]

The way Josh shoots, he could turn his back to the goal

and throw it backwards toward the goal!

Seriously, anything that he can do to help, he needs to

do it - - NOW!

He was quoted once upon a time that the reason his free

throw % was so low was simply a lack of concentration. If

this is true, Josh, please concentrate when you go to the line.

[NiquesBiggestFan]

If Josh Smith is moving around the free throw line to try to improve his free throw percentage, then it is very clear that he has never put forth the effort of trying to improve his free throw percentage. The way to improve shooting free throws is to do it the exact same way, every time, for many many many different times. There are no variables in shooting a FT. The basket is still the same height. The line is still the same distance away. There are no defenders.

If Josh Smith is just now trying to master his FT technique, then it's telling about how much work he has put into it.

Let's clear this up. I'm a Josh Smith fan. I'm one of the few on this board that would love for him to retire a Hawk. I'm not for a max contract, not at this point, but give him what he's worth and get a coach in here that can get through to him or bench his ass until he understands it.

I've played organized basketball. I know how some things are accomplished. As far as FT's go, you do it the same way every time for as many times as it takes for it to become routine.

Although it's something he should have worked on years ago, I can appreciate him wanting to do better. But the right way is shooting from the line.

Edited May 2, 2013 by NiquesBiggestFan