The free-throw skill is vital in basketball, yet it can often be overlooked. The New York Knicks excel in this area as a team, with several players boasting impressive percentages. Notable performers include Jalen Brunson at 85%, Karl-Anthony Towns at 88%, and Jordan Clarkson at 83%. Additionally, players like Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges are all above 75% from the line.
However, Mitchell Robinson’s free-throw performance stands out for the wrong reasons. He has struggled with his accuracy throughout his career, showing little improvement over time. Robinson’s free-throw percentage currently sits at a dismal 20%, having made just 5 of 25 attempts this season.
Mitchell Robinson’s Struggles
Robinson has consistently hovered between a 50 and 60 percent free-throw shooting rate historically. This percentage, while poor, allows a player to at least earn some points. But 20% is far below acceptable levels, necessitating a change in technique. Mainly, he shoots line drives with minimal arc, which makes it difficult to achieve consistency.
The Case for Granny-Style Shooting
Historically, the best free-throw shooter in the NBA is Stephen Curry, who boasts an impressive 91.1% career average. Other elite shooters include Steve Nash and Mark Price at 90.4%, and Ray Allen at 89.4%. Rick Barry, famous for his unique underhanded “granny shot,” stands out for his 89% career free-throw rate.
- Top Free-Throw Shooters:
- Stephen Curry: 91.1%
- Steve Nash: 90.4%
- Mark Price: 90.4%
- Damian Lillard: 89.9%
- Rick Barry: 89%
Rick Barry was noted for his unusual style, which defined his free-throw shooting success. He demonstrated that the granny shot could yield excellent results. Wilt Chamberlain also attempted this method briefly during his historic 100-point game, achieving an impressive percentage that night, although he abandoned it thereafter.
Breaking Down Barriers
In modern basketball, few players utilize the granny-style technique. Many players, including Chamberlain, have cited masculinity concerns as a reason for avoiding this approach. Yet, Robinson’s current predicament may warrant a rethink. As Barry himself has stated, he is willing to help Robinson adopt this method.
Robinson faces a choice: to continue with his ineffective free-throw shooting or to embrace a new strategy that could improve his performance. Adopting the granny shot could significantly enhance his scoring ability and, ultimately, take pressure off teammates like Brunson.
Given the current state of Robinson’s free-throw shooting, he has little to lose. Experimenting with an unconventional method may just lead to an uptick in his scoring proficiency.
