Shaq shooting a better free throw percentage than Rondo

[KungPoweChicken]

Through the first 17 games of the season, Shaquille O'Neal is shooting .550 from the line. Rondo is only shooting .441. In fact, even if Rondo made his next 10 free throws in a row, he would still only be shooting at .568, a hair better than the Diesel.

[clover]

Through the first 17 games of the season, Shaquille O'Neal is shooting .550 from the line. Rondo is only shooting .441. In fact, even if Rondo made his next 10 free throws in a row, he would still only be shooting at .568, a hair better than the Diesel.

Rondo started off as a real disaster on FT's last year too.  Obviously his game still isn't perfect and FT's are probably his biggest deficiency right now.  But look at all these #1 in the league TEAM stats from Hollinger that he is a real contributor toward: 

assists ratio
defensive efficiency
true shooting %
effective FG%

http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats

[xmuscularghandix]

Shaq shoots more so the percentages are more accurate. If Rondo would attack the basket looking to draw contact he would get there more often, and shoot a better percentage.

[BballTim]

  After we make a list of players who shoot a better ft% than Rondo we should make lists about point guards who play better defense or players who average more assists per game than Rondo.



  Ok, both of my lists are done.

[clover]

Shaq shoots more so the percentages are more accurate. If Rondo would attack the basket looking to draw contact he would get there more often, and shoot a better percentage.

Also, if he shot a better % he'd attack the basket for contact more often.

[billysan]

If we are operating on the premise that a poor free throw shooter should not be in the line up of a close game for the last few minutes, then neither Rondo, Perk nor Shaq should be on the floor.

This was one of the excuses used in the past for Perk. I think in the case of Shaq and Rondo this will be situational because they both have skills that Perk doesnt at this point.

If we are behind then Shaq may be in the lineup to draw fouls in the paint to get the other team into a penalty situation, while also stopping the clock. If not behind, Shaq may be on the bench. His defense is not going to be an asset.

Rondo may be in to push the ball up court and facillitate if we are behind, although if Nate is shooting well he would be the better choice for FT shooting. If we are ahead, Rondo has to be in for defense unless Avery Bradley is ready to contribute defensivle like Doc seems to hope.

[Chelm]

  After we make a list of players who shoot a better ft% than Rondo we should make lists about point guards who play better defense or players who average more assists per game than Rondo.



  Ok, both of my lists are done.

It's not disrespectful to suggest he work on his free throw percentage.  We all recognize his up-sides, and there is PLENTY of threads on this forum to look toward to show this.  His inability to hit free throws impact the way he plays the game within his offense.  Imagine how unstoppable he would be if he could drive in with more determination toward the hoop at times.  The OP wasn't suggesting his defense was subpar or he needs to pass more, so your response seems out of place.

[BballTim]

  After we make a list of players who shoot a better ft% than Rondo we should make lists about point guards who play better defense or players who average more assists per game than Rondo.



  Ok, both of my lists are done.

It's not disrespectful to suggest he work on his free throw percentage.  We all recognize his up-sides, and there is PLENTY of threads on this forum to look toward to show this.  His inability to hit free throws impact the way he plays the game within his offense.  Imagine how unstoppable he would be if he could drive in with more determination toward the hoop at times.  The OP wasn't suggesting his defense was subpar or he needs to pass more, so your response seems out of place.

  He generally drives to the hoop as well and as often as any pg in the league.

[greenpride32]

Just because Rondo does other things well it does not mask the fact that he is a very poor free throw shooter.  That arguement does not make any sense for those making it.  He's not just bad, he's one of the worst in the league, so it's more than just a weakness.

Rondo has a nice smooth and consistent stroke at the line.  I think he just needs to take his time.  Those 3 free throws he shot last night, he just chucked the first two and bricked them.  I mean was he in a hurry to get somewhere?  He took his time on the 3rd one and nothing but net.  I think it was Tommy who said last night during the telecast Rondo can be an 80% free throw shooter.  I agree but he needs to take it more seriously.

Let's not forget the C's had to change their offensive strategy last year in the Finals because Rondo could not hit his free throws.

[Chelm]

  After we make a list of players who shoot a better ft% than Rondo we should make lists about point guards who play better defense or players who average more assists per game than Rondo.



  Ok, both of my lists are done.

It's not disrespectful to suggest he work on his free throw percentage.  We all recognize his up-sides, and there is PLENTY of threads on this forum to look toward to show this.  His inability to hit free throws impact the way he plays the game within his offense.  Imagine how unstoppable he would be if he could drive in with more determination toward the hoop at times.  The OP wasn't suggesting his defense was subpar or he needs to pass more, so your response seems out of place.

  He generally drives to the hoop as well and as often as any pg in the league.

If this were true, wouldn't he be leading in free throw attempts (rather than being 33rd among PGs alone)?  He doesn't drive in as often as he should for the amount of athleticism he possesses and for how much possession of the ball he has.  Are you actually satisfied with him shooting 50% from the line or are you just blindly defending him?  I can't imagine working on shooting FT and mid-range shots would significantly deter from his defense or playmaking ability.  Larry could Plenty of players can still pass despite being (a) good shooter(s)

[billysan]

I think the big deal over Rondo's FT shooting is simply that he would be so much more effective as an offensive weapon if he shot 75% or so from the line.

His ability to get into the lane and draw contact as well as get to the rim is at least as good or better than any PG in the league. I know some will say that is because of the lineup he plays with, but whatever.

For me he is a top tier PG anyway you look at it, but he would be arguably 'the' top PG with a decent FT percentage even without a high percentage jumper.

He wouldnt need a high % jumper to average 20+ ppg.

[Roy H.]

Yeah, Rondo's free throw shooting is definitely a weakness.  He ranks 360th in the league in FT%, and among players with 20 or more FTAs this year, only Brendan Haywood, Spencer Hawes, and Tracy McGrady are worse.

That said, it's early.  His career averages suggest that he's going to get back up to the 62% - 65% range.  That's still not great, obviously, but it's a heck of a lot better than 44%.

One of the biggest issues for the team when Rondo struggles from the line is that it leads to Rondo being less aggressive in terms of penetrating.  Doc cited this in last year's playoffs, essentially suggesting that Rondo was playing away from contact.  That hurts the team, because Rondo is an amazing finisher inside.

As others have said, the poor FT shooting also makes the Celtics more vulnerable at the end of close games.  Ideally, it would be Rondo -- rather than Paul or Ray -- handling the ball in close situations, but the team is handcuffed by Rondo's poor FT shooting.

The good news is that Rondo has the capability to be a good FT shooter.  He's had long stretches where he was over 70%, which is respectable.  If he can get over whatever is psychologically holding him back at the line, I think he'll be fine.

[moiso]

Just because Rondo does other things well it does not mask the fact that he is a very poor free throw shooter.  That arguement does not make any sense for those making it.  He's not just bad, he's one of the worst in the league, so it's more than just a weakness.

Rondo has a nice smooth and consistent stroke at the line.  I think he just needs to take his time.  Those 3 free throws he shot last night, he just chucked the first two and bricked them.  I mean was he in a hurry to get somewhere?  He took his time on the 3rd one and nothing but net.  I think it was Tommy who said last night during the telecast Rondo can be an 80% free throw shooter.  I agree but he needs to take it more seriously.

Let's not forget the C's had to change their offensive strategy last year in the Finals because Rondo could not hit his free throws.

I strongly disagree that he has a nice smooth and consistent stroke.  Especially the consistent part.  If he were consistent he would be able to duplicate the shots that go in far more often.

[kozlodoev]

  After we make a list of players who shoot a better ft% than Rondo we should make lists about point guards who play better defense or players who average more assists per game than Rondo.



  Ok, both of my lists are done.

As far as defense is concerned, there are other names in the mix. Westbrook and Wall are not too shabby.

[Roy H.]

For me he is a top tier PG anyway you look at it, but he would be arguably 'the' top PG with a decent FT percentage even without a high percentage jumper.

He wouldnt need a high % jumper to average 20+ ppg.

Yeah, a good example of this is Russell Westbrook.  He's a poor outside (and overall) shooter, but he's very good at hitting FTs.  He's averaging close to 24 points per game this year, in large part because he's getting to the line 9 times per contest (and is hitting 8 of those shots).