Reggie Miller: ‘That’s What I Tell Kids All the Time. Don’t Try to Shoot Like Stephen Curry or Ray Allen or Larry Bird’

The NBA has seen some great shooting abilities through the years. However, the player who combined his shooting with the ultimate clutch gene was Reggie Miller. The Hall of Famer is one of the best shooters to ever play the game and had the ability to make them when it mattered most. However, he was always criticized for his shot.

Miller, however, stayed true to it and became the player that he is. Similarly, he urges the kids to find their own identity rather than emulate shooters like Stephen Curry, Allen or Larry Bird.

While Miller was one of the greatest shooters, he may not have had the best-looking shot. In high school, his coach even asked him to make changes to it.

Recently, in an interview with The Athletic, Miller spoke about his experience and how he urges the younger generation to find their own rhythm.

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Millers asks kids not to copy Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard

In that interview, the question about his jump shot came up. They asked him if anyone ever tried to alter his shot. Miller stated that his coach in high school had urged him to make a few changes. However, the athlete’s father came to his defense and said that there is no problem with the shots as long as they go in.

He said: “I remember before I got to high school, I had a coach tell me maybe I should bring my elbow in, more textbook, instead of the elbow being out. And I remember my dad saying to the coach, “Does it go in?” “Yes, but …” “Does it go in often?” “Yeah, but …” “That’s all you need to know.” I tell people follow-throughs are like fingerprints; they’re all different. And that’s what I tell kids all the time. Don’t try to shoot like Steph Curry or Ray Allen or Larry Bird. Everyone has a unique follow-through, a unique release point. Do what works for you.”

The point of this is to not look at how the elite shooters shoot and base a jump shot off that. Stephen Curry and Ray Allen have been practicing their shot for years. They have mastered their release and learned how to use it. Trying to shoot like Curry will hinder the young player’s progress.

The key to any good shooter is to find the right rhythm. That comes from one’s own mind and body. Copying another player’s shot will only make the kid uncomfortable. A shot has to come naturally, and that is the main point to remember.

To be a great shooter, one must be comfortable and feel good about the jump shot. Curry and Bird have got that part down really well.

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Hence, the key to remember is to be comfortable in your own skills and keep working on what comes naturally.