Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Giannis' plan to fix free throw issue: Shoot more

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Friday, 15 January 2021 21:52

MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo has a plan to end his growing struggles from the foul line.

"It's simple,'' the reigning two-time MVP said Friday night after making just one of his 10 free throws in a 112-109 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. "Just go back. Shoot more. Focus on your technique. Take it step by step. Just shoot more. That's it. The more you shoot, the more you work on it, the better you get. There's no secret in that.''

According to Elias Sports Bureau data, Antetokounmpo's 1-of-10 outing was the worst single-game performance from the foul line in Bucks history for a player with at least 10 attempts.

Elias Sports also noted that the only other players to shoot 10% or worse from the free throw line in a game with at least 10 attempts are Andre Drummond, Al Horford and Shaquille O'Neal. Drummond has done it four times and O'Neal did it twice.

Antetokounmpo has made just 57.5% of his free throws this season after shooting a career-low 61.8% from the line last season. That's a precipitous fall for someone who has a career average of above 71% and made 76% of his free throws as recently as 2017-18.

He's continuing to play at an MVP level in every other respect, but the lack of accuracy from the foul line is concerning because he gets there so often. Antetokounmpo is 69-of-120 this season and entered Friday night's action leading the NBA in free throw attempts.

Bucks forward Khris Middleton noted that many players go through tough stretches from the free throw line. Middleton noted that Antetokounmpo sometimes makes bunches of free throws in a row during practice.

"I don't say much to him,'' Middleton said. "I don't want to get in his head and have him think about 1,000 different things. I think he knows what he needs to do.''

Antetokounmpo says it's not a case of thinking too much when he's at the line.

"I don't think at the free throw line,'' Antetokounmpo said. "I just shoot shots. I've done this since I was like 12 years old. There are players that probably think when they shoot or whatever the case might be. I just go to the free throw line and say the stuff I say always to myself, try to have a good technique and just try to shoot the ball high and give it a chance because most of my [missed] shots are short.''

Video footage of Antetokounmpo working on his free throws after the game circulated on social media late Friday night. That work ethic helps explain why the Bucks remain confident he'll eventually improve from the line.

"He's just got to keep working through the free throw line, continue to put the time in, grow his confidence and step up and make them,'' Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said.

Read 314 times

Soccer

Mo Salah glum on Liverpool future: 'More out than in'

Mo Salah glum on Liverpool future: 'More out than in'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMohamed Salah has said he is yet to receive a formal contract offer...

Galaxy hit 6 to rout Loons; Sounders next in West

Galaxy hit 6 to rout Loons; Sounders next in West

Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic each scored twice -- with one goal in each half -- a...

Amorim: United set for long period of suffering

Amorim: United set for long period of suffering

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRúben Amorim said Manchester United will have to "suffer for a long...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Woodward returns to Dodgers as first-base coach

Woodward returns to Dodgers as first-base coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- Chris Woodward has been named first-base coach by th...

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated