Free throws can make or break a basketball game. Some of the best in the game have laser-like focus from the free-throw line. However, there have been big men in the league who have colossal struggles from the free-throw line. One of the prominent names in that regard is Shaquille O?Neal,?whose adventures from the free-throw line have filled up the NBA mythology.?
Even as the league gets shooting-heavy, we often see big men clanking it up from the line. We saw another snippet of that during the ongoing Summer League, but it left social media buzzing for all the wrong reasons.
A free throw that could make even Shaquille O?Neal laugh
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Shaq?s free-throw routine was one of the longest of its time. He wouldn?t bend as much, hold on to the ball for long, and then release it with one hand at times, not following the fundamentals. There have been instances when his routine brought disbelief among commentators, fans, and fellow NBA players alike.
He clearly didn?t like being on the line and that?s why teams employed the ‘Hack-A-Shaq’ strategy, which resulted in a lot of fouls on him. But he wasn’t the only one over the years to have this concern.
Apart from Shaq, Dwight Howard was also known for struggling from the line. While his mechanics and release were a tad better than O?Neal, he would either rush the shot or hold on to it for too long. Teams looked to take advantage of this and there was an instance where he made a record for total free throws attempted in a game, taking 39 of them.
With the off-season leaving fans with no NBA action, many have turned their attention toward the Summer League. Interestingly, many stumbled upon a bizarre example of a free throw action that betrays the fundamentals.
In a video posted by NBA Retweet, Toronto Raptors‘ two-way 7’2 signee Moses Brown, who has been in the NBA for four seasons, was seen shooting a free throw with an awkward motion.?
Interesting free throw form 😳 pic.twitter.com/xrihou7wXJ
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) July 12, 2023
While a bizarre form can still be compensated with successful results, Brown was left hapless after his free throw bounced off the rim. Fans caught the eye soon enough, which resulted in a long day for netizens.
Fans have a field day with Moses Brown’s awkward free throw
Of course, the NBA fanbase had a lot of fun with the Brown free-throw saga. Comparisons with Shaq were rife. Here are some reactions:
How is this possible
— 💤 (@kobe4evergoat) July 13, 2023
As per a fan, this motion can make even Shaq?s action look better:
This is worse than Shaqs back in the day lmfaooo
— Rey (@ReylianP) July 13, 2023
A user tagged a veteran analyst coach and asked him to look away:
@bballbreakdown don’t look 👀
— N Fair (@njwfairhurst) July 13, 2023
A fan can?t wrap his head around it, considering this is a pro-level baller:
Played hoops your whole life and still have no idea how to shoot? SMH!!!! Who dis anyway?
— Jeff Tebbs (@JeffTebbs) July 13, 2023
A commenter brought a cross-sports perspective to the table:
https://twitter.com/NbaHCentral/status/1679280876679733248?s=20
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Another fan related to his experience of shooting a small-sized ball through a mini hoop:
me on my mini hoop
— Chese🧀 (@CheseDaBoi24) July 13, 2023
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Which free-throw form do you find oddest? Do share in the comments below.
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