I accept that Rondo will never be a good free throw shooter

[Greenbean]

I'm sorry, but I find this form stuff to be absolute crap and honestly can't understand the people who seem to obsess about it. We've seen time after time guys with unorthodox shots who can absolutely light you up so I honestly don't buy the form stuff. Even Ray himself has said that it's about repetition and not form when he tried to coach Rondo. IMHO, as long as you have one hand on the side of the ball, one hand under the ball, and you have a fluid follow through your basically good to go.

Its about the release, and what leads to your release is the form.

If the form of your shot, from your feet, to your hands has too much movement, like Rondo's, it makes replicating such form very difficult.

When Ray shoots, he conserves so much motion, it is easy to replicate his form every time he is on the stripe.

I want to see Ray's form vs. Rondo's form in super slow motion. You can pick out so much wasted motion in Rondo's form where Ray's looks like a simple flick of the wrist.

Sure it is about repetiition, but if you are trying to repeat a higher difficulty shot, then your potential is capped.

I mean there has to be something to the "form stuff". They way some other people are putting it is that players are choosing to have this deficiency. That notion is absolute crap.

[dtrader]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

[wdleehi]

I think it is time to try shooting underhanded.

[clover]

I am a Rondo fan, but unfortunately he's already shooting below his career average from the FT line--.595 vs. .622.  Also, he's dropped to 0 and 3 FTA's in his last two games.

[ms.ball]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

We are only 7 games into the season, he's had a couple of good games, one great game and a couple of bad games. Let's wait until we are 25-30 games in before we make this assumption!

[vinnie]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

We are only 7 games into the season, he's had a couple of good games, one great game and a couple of bad games. Let's wait until we are 25-30 games in before we make this assumption!

Isn't this his 5th year? He has shown no improvement in his free throw shooting since he entered the league.  How long does it take to say, "I guess he isn't going to get better."

[ms.ball]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

We are only 7 games into the season, he's had a couple of good games, one great game and a couple of bad games. Let's wait until we are 25-30 games in before we make this assumption!

Isn't this his 5th year? He has shown no improvement in his free throw shooting since he entered the league.  How long does it take to say, "I guess he isn't going to get better."

Let's see.. it took Kidd up until his 6th year to shoot 70% or better, and he didn't get to 80% until his 8th year in the league. So to say "I guess he isn't going to get better" would be a far stretch wouldn't you think?

[Donoghus]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

We are only 7 games into the season, he's had a couple of good games, one great game and a couple of bad games. Let's wait until we are 25-30 games in before we make this assumption!

Isn't this his 5th year? He has shown no improvement in his free throw shooting since he entered the league.  How long does it take to say, "I guess he isn't going to get better."

Let's see.. it took Kidd up until his 6th year to shoot 70% or better, and he didn't get to 80% until his 8th year in the league. So to say "I guess he isn't going to get better" would be a far stretch wouldn't you think?

I guess that leads to the question of whether Kidd's turnaround was the exception or the norm?  I'd tend to think the former.    So I don't think its necessarily a "far stretch" to say what vinnie is saying.

[crafty213]

I am more concerned with his attempts than his makes.  Even at 60% creating fouls puts a ton of pressure on the opposing defense and softens it for his teammates.  Given how easily he can get to the basket against most teams he needs to use this to his advantage more.

[ms.ball]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

We are only 7 games into the season, he's had a couple of good games, one great game and a couple of bad games. Let's wait until we are 25-30 games in before we make this assumption!

Isn't this his 5th year? He has shown no improvement in his free throw shooting since he entered the league.  How long does it take to say, "I guess he isn't going to get better."

Let's see.. it took Kidd up until his 6th year to shoot 70% or better, and he didn't get to 80% until his 8th year in the league. So to say "I guess he isn't going to get better" would be a far stretch wouldn't you think?

I guess that leads to the question of whether Kidd's turnaround was the exception or the norm?  I'd tend to think the former.    So I don't think its necessarily a "far stretch" to say what vinnie is saying.

Umm why does it matter if Kidd's turnaround was an exception or the norm? Point being he turned it around after his 5th year in the league. So there is hope for Rajon. I'm not saying will do this but that it is possible...

[Donoghus]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

We are only 7 games into the season, he's had a couple of good games, one great game and a couple of bad games. Let's wait until we are 25-30 games in before we make this assumption!

Isn't this his 5th year? He has shown no improvement in his free throw shooting since he entered the league.  How long does it take to say, "I guess he isn't going to get better."

Let's see.. it took Kidd up until his 6th year to shoot 70% or better, and he didn't get to 80% until his 8th year in the league. So to say "I guess he isn't going to get better" would be a far stretch wouldn't you think?

I guess that leads to the question of whether Kidd's turnaround was the exception or the norm?  I'd tend to think the former.    So I don't think its necessarily a "far stretch" to say what vinnie is saying.

Umm why does it matter if Kidd's turnaround was an exception or the norm? Point being he turned it around after his 5th year in the league. So there is hope for Rajon. I'm not saying will do this but that it is possible...

Sure, there's hope.  You can find hope in just about anything, I guess.   I just don't think the likelihood of him pulling a Jason Kidd is too high, though.

It's not exactly a common trend in basketball.

[ms.ball]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

We are only 7 games into the season, he's had a couple of good games, one great game and a couple of bad games. Let's wait until we are 25-30 games in before we make this assumption!

Isn't this his 5th year? He has shown no improvement in his free throw shooting since he entered the league.  How long does it take to say, "I guess he isn't going to get better."

Let's see.. it took Kidd up until his 6th year to shoot 70% or better, and he didn't get to 80% until his 8th year in the league. So to say "I guess he isn't going to get better" would be a far stretch wouldn't you think?

I guess that leads to the question of whether Kidd's turnaround was the exception or the norm?  I'd tend to think the former.    So I don't think its necessarily a "far stretch" to say what vinnie is saying.

Umm why does it matter if Kidd's turnaround was an exception or the norm? Point being he turned it around after his 5th year in the league. So there is hope for Rajon. I'm not saying will do this but that it is possible...

Sure, there's hope.  You can find hope in just about anything, I guess.   I just don't think the likelihood of him pulling a Jason Kidd is too high, though.

It's not exactly a common trend in basketball.

No it's not, but I guess I tend to see the glass as half full whether then half empty!  Who's to say Rondo has reached his ceiling in free throws? Not you, not me, and not Vinnie. :-)

[crownsy]

It's extremely frustrating and I don't accept it in the same way I never accepted careless 4th quarter interceptions by Brett Farve and the way Deion Sanders wouldn't tackle people.

There are 7th graders that work harder on their free throws and get better results. You'd think for 10mill a year Rondo would care.

Rondo's act is getting thin

And how do you know that Rondo doesn't practice? Please don't claim stuff and say it as fact. Your act is getting thin.

I suppose it's possible he practices long long hours and just purposely misses his free throws

  Or, much more likely, your claim that everyone can get to be a great ft shooter if they practice enough is wrong.

Ding!

we have a winner, although EJA will never admit it.

Yes, Free throw shooting is a skill you can improve on, just like every other skill.

No, despite EJA's assertions to the contrary, simple practice will not make anyone a 98% free throw shooter. You are limited by form and natural talent.

You can show all the trick video's you want, Ill take statistics. And unless you are here to tell me that, barring FOUR guys in the history of the league, no one ever thought "huh, you know what would be cool? shooting 95% from the line. i'm gonna practice till i can" I'll stick by that FT shooting is not as simple as you make out.

Rondo is an awful shooter. I would bet you any amount of money that you could lock him in a court for the next 2 years or more with nothing to do but shoot FT's 8 hours a day and his percentage would improve to 75%, at best. he just isn't a good shooter.

And since you have no idea what his practice routine involves i dismiss that point utterly. Outside of claiming he'd be a 90% shooter if he practiced and posting lame video's, you don't seem to have a point buried anywhere in your posts so...

[BballTim]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

We are only 7 games into the season, he's had a couple of good games, one great game and a couple of bad games. Let's wait until we are 25-30 games in before we make this assumption!

Isn't this his 5th year? He has shown no improvement in his free throw shooting since he entered the league.  How long does it take to say, "I guess he isn't going to get better."

Let's see.. it took Kidd up until his 6th year to shoot 70% or better, and he didn't get to 80% until his 8th year in the league. So to say "I guess he isn't going to get better" would be a far stretch wouldn't you think?

I guess that leads to the question of whether Kidd's turnaround was the exception or the norm?  I'd tend to think the former.    So I don't think its necessarily a "far stretch" to say what vinnie is saying.

  I don't think it's really unusual for players to improve their shooting as they age, but that could be a case of players that don't improve not lasting into their 30s in the nba.

[Donoghus]

His jumpshot got better (hit one pretty much every night and he Paul Pierce faked Gaines last night). Not even 10 games into the season and already this. Jeez.

I dont think people are really upset about these few games.  It's the fact that he is so far continuing along the same course from last year and before.  So it gets increasingly hard to defend him using the "he's still improving" argument. 

I myself am concerned about what happens if he follows last years pattern, where he starts off well and slows down as the season progresses.  If what he's doing now (less assists, less steals, higher TOs, equally bad free throws), is the best he shows all season, thats not too good.

We are only 7 games into the season, he's had a couple of good games, one great game and a couple of bad games. Let's wait until we are 25-30 games in before we make this assumption!

Isn't this his 5th year? He has shown no improvement in his free throw shooting since he entered the league.  How long does it take to say, "I guess he isn't going to get better."

Let's see.. it took Kidd up until his 6th year to shoot 70% or better, and he didn't get to 80% until his 8th year in the league. So to say "I guess he isn't going to get better" would be a far stretch wouldn't you think?

I guess that leads to the question of whether Kidd's turnaround was the exception or the norm?  I'd tend to think the former.    So I don't think its necessarily a "far stretch" to say what vinnie is saying.

  I don't think it's really unusual for players to improve their shooting as they age, but that could be a case of players that don't improve not lasting into their 30s in the nba.

I was talking specifically about Jason Kidd.  How many players have improved roughly 13% at the free throw line over the course of their careers?

Can't imagine too many and, like I mentioned before, I think its more an exception than the norm.