Jazz's Gobert: My free-throw percentage is going to go 'way up'
Rudy Gobert hasn't helped the stigma of elite-level centers being unable to connect at the charity stripe, as he's shooting just 58.5 percent on his attempts in three seasons with the Utah Jazz.
Understanding that's one of the weaker aspects of his game, the "Stifle Tower" has applied himself over the offseason and early on in training camp to improve his form, and hopefully grow into less of a liability at the line.
"I just made 25 in a row again today. My percentage is going to go way up this year," Gobert said on Friday, according to KSL.com's Andy Larsen.
Rudy Gobert's Free-Throw Shooting (2013-16)
| Season | G | FT | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-14 | 45 | 32 | 65 | 49.2 |
| 2014-15 | 82 | 170 | 273 | 62.3 |
| 2015-16 | 61 | 161 | 283 | 56.9 |
(courtesy: Basketball-Reference.com)
The 24-year-old was lights out in that department in a 104-99 preseason victory over the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 5, going 13-of-14 (92.9 percent) from the line in 28 minutes. He didn't hit 10 or more in a game once during the 2015-16 campaign.
If he can remain consistent and boost his percentage into a respectable range, opposing teams will strongly need to consider abandoning the "Hack-a-Gobert" strategy in the future.