Oklahoma City Thunder guard Andre Roberson is one of the worst free throw shooters in the NBA, so he should be open to advice on how he can improve that part of his game. But if you’re going to mention underhand shooting to him, save your breath.
Shooting free throws underhanded can be an effective — albeit embarrassing — technique for some players who struggle from the line. It’s not for Roberson.
“I tried it in practice,” he told Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman. “That s— does not work. I’m sorry.”
Roberson, a career 49.3 percent free throw shooter, shot a career-low 42.3 percent from the line last season. He was just 3-of-21 from the line in Houston’s playoff series against the Houston Rockets, and he was so lost that the “Hack-a-Andre” strategy was even utilized against him.
If Roberson knew why he couldn’t hit free throws, he’d sinking them with more regularity. Unfortunately, none of the advice he is given seems to work.
“I’ve heard it all, to be honest,” he said. “‘Take a step back. Take a step to the right. Foot back.’ You get it all. ‘Elbow in!’ Everybody has their own. But everybody’s shot’s different. You just got to figure out what’s right for you.”
One Rockets player brought the underhanded free throw back to the NBA last season, and it seemed to work for him. As Roberson alluded to, what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another. Hopefully the 25-year-old can find something that does for him.
