Deron Teasing AJ

[Darkwing Duck]

I don't see why his FT% would drop by looking at him. I know the historical numbers say another story, but he's got an excellent free throw motion. It's easily repeatable, too, which locks him into the correct shooting motion. Maybe being in better shape has contributed to a better percentage because he's not gulping air while at the line, leading to breakdowns in the free throw. That stroke is easily 80%.

 

[vslice02]

I don't see why his FT% would drop by looking at him. I know the historical numbers say another story, but he's got an excellent free throw motion. It's easily repeatable, too, which locks him into the correct shooting motion. Maybe being in better shape has contributed to a better percentage because he's not gulping air while at the line, leading to breakdowns in the free throw. That stroke is easily 80%.

Al's 85% FT percentage is exceptional. The only reason I would predict it to slightly decline is, regardless of form, historically you virtually never see an established player increase their FT% by over 17% (68.2%-85.1%) in leaping from a mediocre to expecitonal FT shooter in just 1 year. Usually you see incremental increases over several seasons (like a Karl Malone or Deron Williams).

A good example is Paul Millsap - a career 69% FT shooter - began the year 62-78 (79%) and has shot 25-42 (60%) since - giving him a 73% clip that's about what you would expect. Unless you're a great shooter like a Hornacek or Reggie Miller, FT's shooting can also be streaky. We see it each year w/Deron and AK - they'll always go through hot stretches from the FT line and then have a few games where they really struggle - particalarly on the front-end.

 

[Darkwing Duck]

Al's 85% FT percentage is exceptional. The only reason I would predict it to slightly decline is, regardless of form, historically you virtually never see an established player increase their FT% by over 17% (68.2%-85.1%) in leaping from a mediocre to expecitonal FT shooter in just 1 year. Usually you see incremental increases over several seasons (like a Karl Malone or Deron Williams).

A good example is Paul Millsap - a career 69% FT shooter - began the year 62-78 (79%) and has shot 25-42 (60%) since - giving him a 73% clip that's about what you would expect. Unless you're a great shooter like a Hornacek or Reggie Miller, FT's shooting can also be streaky. We see it each year w/Deron and AK - they'll always go through hot stretches from the FT line and then have a few games where they really struggle - particalarly on the front-end.

Well, I think Jefferson's form on free throws is better than AK and Williams. Hard to repeat what AK does and seems to be kind of a fling rather than a shot. Deron's is way too flat and sharp a shot meaning he has a smaller window to make the shot. I'm constantly surprised he's over 80 percent. The good thing, though, is that he repeats the same thing over and over. Any bad stroke can work if you do it perfectly every time.