Big Hands = Bad Shooters Theory

[Eja117]

I'm pretty sure you could give me snow gloves or possibly even flippers and with enough practice I might be able to hit free throws at a similar rate as Rondo

You need to run as hard as him all game and then get hit by an NBA body first to even things up a bit. And you need a large sample size since even Rondo has impressive games from the line.

Do I get millions of dollars and tons of free time to work out and practice? And a med staff and whirlpools and stuff?

[indeedproceed]

I'm pretty sure you could give me snow gloves or possibly even flippers and with enough practice I might be able to hit free throws at a similar rate as Rondo

You need to run as hard as him all game and then get hit by an NBA body first to even things up a bit. And you need a large sample size since even Rondo has impressive games from the line.

Do I get millions of dollars and tons of free time to work out and practice? And a med staff and whirlpools and stuff?

I wonder just how much free time NBA players actually have. Sure, they enjoy the most lavish amenities one could imagine, but between PR responsibilities, workouts, their own side businesses...I really wonder how much down time these guys get.

[Eja117]

I'm pretty sure you could give me snow gloves or possibly even flippers and with enough practice I might be able to hit free throws at a similar rate as Rondo

You need to run as hard as him all game and then get hit by an NBA body first to even things up a bit. And you need a large sample size since even Rondo has impressive games from the line.

Do I get millions of dollars and tons of free time to work out and practice? And a med staff and whirlpools and stuff?

I wonder just how much free time NBA players actually have. Sure, they enjoy the most lavish amenities one could imagine, but between PR responsibilities, workouts, their own side businesses...I really wonder how much down time these guys get.

They also get fairly long off seasons provided they don't play in the Olympics. At least compared to a lay person

[Celtics18]

I'm in the minority here, but I do buy the "large hands" theory.  It's harder to get that ball resting perfectly on your finger tips when you have large hands.  Players with very big hands can overcome that and become good shooters, but they rarely do it with that textbook Ray Allen or Steve Nash form. 

Think Magic Johnson for a good example of this.  He became a decent shooter over his career, but his form was never pretty. 

OK, I am confused.  If they have bad form, then why is it their hands that are causing the problem? 

It is like blaming your golf clubs for your slice, when you are pulling away from the ball (or something like that).  Sure, maybe you can get a new, fancier, golf club that will help to straighten it out a little, but you don't really fix things unless you fix your form.

I've never played golf, but I don't think that's a good analogy.  You can change your golf clubs, but you can't change the size of your hands.  

Regardless of the analogy, I am still having trouble grasping how you are arguing that big hands would prevent shooters from having good form. 

Now, I can see an argument where a player could have great form, but does not shoot as well as someone like Ray Allen, because of his hands.  Then it makes sense.  But when someone has bad, or inconsistent form, that is a MAJOR confounding variable for determining whether the size of their hands are a problem.

Unfortunately, I haven't done a major, comprehensive scientifically based research study on the relationship between shooting form, accuracy, and hand size.  

I guess all I'm saying is that having large hands seems to make it harder to have good form.  This is not based in research, just on what I know about shooting a basketball, and being taught to keep the ball on your finger tips for release.  I have average sized hands so the ball fits nicely in my hands for keeping the ball on the finger tips for release while keeping a nice L shape with my elbows.  

Guys with bigger hands seem to need to adjust that technique a little so the ball doesn't slip out of their hands.  Often times you'll see guys raise the ball higher over their head than out in front of them or accept some palming and employ more of a slingshot technique.  

I'm not saying players with bigger hands can't learn to shoot, just that, generally, some adjustments to the text book form that I learned as a middle schooler can be helpful if your hands outgrow the ball.

[Chris]

I'm in the minority here, but I do buy the "large hands" theory.  It's harder to get that ball resting perfectly on your finger tips when you have large hands.  Players with very big hands can overcome that and become good shooters, but they rarely do it with that textbook Ray Allen or Steve Nash form. 

Think Magic Johnson for a good example of this.  He became a decent shooter over his career, but his form was never pretty. 

OK, I am confused.  If they have bad form, then why is it their hands that are causing the problem? 

It is like blaming your golf clubs for your slice, when you are pulling away from the ball (or something like that).  Sure, maybe you can get a new, fancier, golf club that will help to straighten it out a little, but you don't really fix things unless you fix your form.

I've never played golf, but I don't think that's a good analogy.  You can change your golf clubs, but you can't change the size of your hands.  

Regardless of the analogy, I am still having trouble grasping how you are arguing that big hands would prevent shooters from having good form. 

Now, I can see an argument where a player could have great form, but does not shoot as well as someone like Ray Allen, because of his hands.  Then it makes sense.  But when someone has bad, or inconsistent form, that is a MAJOR confounding variable for determining whether the size of their hands are a problem.

Unfortunately, I haven't done a major, comprehensive scientifically based research study on the relationship between shooting form, accuracy, and hand size.  

I guess all I'm saying is that having large hands seems to make it harder to have good form.  This is not based in research, just on what I know about shooting a basketball, and being taught to keep the ball on your finger tips for release.  I have average sized hands so the ball fits nicely in my hands for keeping the ball on the finger tips for release while keeping a nice L shape with my elbows.  

Guys with bigger hands seem to need to adjust that technique a little so the ball doesn't slip out of their hands.  Often times you'll see guys raise the ball higher over their head than out in front of them or accept some palming and employ more of a slingshot technique.  

I'm not saying players with bigger hands can't learn to shoot, just that, generally, some adjustments to the text book form that I learned as a middle schooler can be helpful if your hands outgrow the ball.

But Rondo's form is pretty close to textbook when he is shooting in rhythm.  The problem is, when he gets happy feet.  Which has nothing to do with his hands.

[elcotte]

I'm in the minority here, but I do buy the "large hands" theory.  It's harder to get that ball resting perfectly on your finger tips when you have large hands.  Players with very big hands can overcome that and become good shooters, but they rarely do it with that textbook Ray Allen or Steve Nash form. 

Think Magic Johnson for a good example of this.  He became a decent shooter over his career, but his form was never pretty. 

OK, I am confused.  If they have bad form, then why is it their hands that are causing the problem? 

It is like blaming your golf clubs for your slice, when you are pulling away from the ball (or something like that).  Sure, maybe you can get a new, fancier, golf club that will help to straighten it out a little, but you don't really fix things unless you fix your form.

I've never played golf, but I don't think that's a good analogy.  You can change your golf clubs, but you can't change the size of your hands.  

Regardless of the analogy, I am still having trouble grasping how you are arguing that big hands would prevent shooters from having good form. 

Now, I can see an argument where a player could have great form, but does not shoot as well as someone like Ray Allen, because of his hands.  Then it makes sense.  But when someone has bad, or inconsistent form, that is a MAJOR confounding variable for determining whether the size of their hands are a problem.

Unfortunately, I haven't done a major, comprehensive scientifically based research study on the relationship between shooting form, accuracy, and hand size.  

I guess all I'm saying is that having large hands seems to make it harder to have good form.  This is not based in research, just on what I know about shooting a basketball, and being taught to keep the ball on your finger tips for release.  I have average sized hands so the ball fits nicely in my hands for keeping the ball on the finger tips for release while keeping a nice L shape with my elbows.  

Guys with bigger hands seem to need to adjust that technique a little so the ball doesn't slip out of their hands.  Often times you'll see guys raise the ball higher over their head than out in front of them or accept some palming and employ more of a slingshot technique.  

I'm not saying players with bigger hands can't learn to shoot, just that, generally, some adjustments to the text book form that I learned as a middle schooler can be helpful if your hands outgrow the ball.

But Rondo's form is pretty close to textbook when he is shooting in rhythm.  The problem is, when he gets happy feet.  Which has nothing to do with his hands.

I think his elbow flies out too much. It should be more straight.

[Celtics18]

I'm in the minority here, but I do buy the "large hands" theory.  It's harder to get that ball resting perfectly on your finger tips when you have large hands.  Players with very big hands can overcome that and become good shooters, but they rarely do it with that textbook Ray Allen or Steve Nash form. 

Think Magic Johnson for a good example of this.  He became a decent shooter over his career, but his form was never pretty. 

OK, I am confused.  If they have bad form, then why is it their hands that are causing the problem? 

It is like blaming your golf clubs for your slice, when you are pulling away from the ball (or something like that).  Sure, maybe you can get a new, fancier, golf club that will help to straighten it out a little, but you don't really fix things unless you fix your form.

I've never played golf, but I don't think that's a good analogy.  You can change your golf clubs, but you can't change the size of your hands.  

Regardless of the analogy, I am still having trouble grasping how you are arguing that big hands would prevent shooters from having good form. 

Now, I can see an argument where a player could have great form, but does not shoot as well as someone like Ray Allen, because of his hands.  Then it makes sense.  But when someone has bad, or inconsistent form, that is a MAJOR confounding variable for determining whether the size of their hands are a problem.

Unfortunately, I haven't done a major, comprehensive scientifically based research study on the relationship between shooting form, accuracy, and hand size.  

I guess all I'm saying is that having large hands seems to make it harder to have good form.  This is not based in research, just on what I know about shooting a basketball, and being taught to keep the ball on your finger tips for release.  I have average sized hands so the ball fits nicely in my hands for keeping the ball on the finger tips for release while keeping a nice L shape with my elbows.  

Guys with bigger hands seem to need to adjust that technique a little so the ball doesn't slip out of their hands.  Often times you'll see guys raise the ball higher over their head than out in front of them or accept some palming and employ more of a slingshot technique.  

I'm not saying players with bigger hands can't learn to shoot, just that, generally, some adjustments to the text book form that I learned as a middle schooler can be helpful if your hands outgrow the ball.

But Rondo's form is pretty close to textbook when he is shooting in rhythm.  The problem is, when he gets happy feet.  Which has nothing to do with his hands.

I disagree.  Take last night's game, for example.  His shot was falling and it looked nice, but the form on his jumpers wasn't "text book."  He cocks his elbow back a lot further than you see "pure shooters" do.

This way he can keep better control of the basketball with those big hands.  I don't want him trying to correct that.  That' my point.  Find a way to hit shots and stick with it.  I doesn't have to be a shot that goes on the "How to Shoot a Basketball" DVD. 

[nickagneta]

Doesn't Dirk Nowitski have excellent form and big hands? It doesn't effect him.

It didn't effect MJ with his form.

George Gervin had HUGE hands. Awesome shooter with tremendous form.

[Eja117]

I would think huge hands might even be a bit of an advantage. Better than teeny little ones anyway

[Swoopz]

Sounds like a question for MythBusters...

[Celtics4ever]

I guess all I'm saying is that having large hands seems to make it harder to have good form.  This is not based in research, just on what I know about shooting a basketball, and being taught to keep the ball on your finger tips for release.  I have average sized hands so the ball fits nicely in my hands for keeping the ball on the finger tips for release while keeping a nice L shape with my elbows. 

Your guessing unless you have big hands.  Most tall guys have big hands or bigger than the average guy.   NBA shooters can outshoot most.   That pretty shows what horsecrap this theory.  I played ball for an Army Team that toured Germany, I had the biggest hands and I shot  .52% ( 31-60 shots) from the three point land.   Do you shoot .52% from down town with your form?

I would bet Ray Allen has bigger hands than you. 

I would think huge hands might even be a bit of an advantage. Better than teeny little ones anyway

In almost every area being big helps as long as your athletic.  It really helps down low as you can palm the ball and hold off the defender.

[Celtics18]

I guess all I'm saying is that having large hands seems to make it harder to have good form.  This is not based in research, just on what I know about shooting a basketball, and being taught to keep the ball on your finger tips for release.  I have average sized hands so the ball fits nicely in my hands for keeping the ball on the finger tips for release while keeping a nice L shape with my elbows. 

Your guessing unless you have big hands.  Most tall guys have big hands or bigger than the average guy.   NBA shooters can outshoot most.   That pretty shows what horsecrap this theory.  I played ball for an Army Team that toured Germany, I had the biggest hands and I shot  .52% ( 31-60 shots) from the three point land.   Do you shoot .52% from down town with your form?

I would bet Ray Allen has bigger hands than you. 

I would think huge hands might even be a bit of an advantage. Better than teeny little ones anyway

In almost every area being big helps as long as your athletic.  It really helps down low as you can palm the ball and hold off the defender.

Congratulations on your great shooting for the Army team that toured Germany.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

All of you can say what you want but I will go with Reggie and say the big hands have SOME negative affect on shooting! No one is saying that ALL big handed people have a problem shooting but you cant say that it doesn't affect SOME! I'm also of the mindset that people like Shaq and RR never had to shoot much they just dunked or laid the ball in, most of the big hand guys you people named have little to no post game, they had to learn to shoot with big hands because they are too soft to bang inside! To me being able to make baskets so easily from the inside is likely the best reason why they didn't start shooting or gaining a form early in life to be able to shoot well, couple that with big hands and you get poor shooters! Yes Yao Ming has big hands but he was no banger, he had to learn to shoot... when you can literally carry guys with you as you dunk as Shaq could, why would you spend time learning to shoot with a form that fits someone with so much strength and big hands!

[syfy9]

Big Hands = Harder to become Good Shooters Theory

[Overrated]

I think this explains Rondo's problems.