Clippers' Jordan doesn't plan to change unsuccessful free-throw technique
DeAndre Jordan's career 41.7 free-throw percentage should be a clear enough indication that his technique at the charity stripe isn't working.
Apparently not.
As he recently told the Los Angeles Times' Ben Bolch, Jordan will continue to roll with his normal routine and seemingly hope for the best.
DeAndre Jordan on whether he did anything new with his free throws: "Nothing different. Same."
— Ben Bolch (@latbbolch) September 26, 2015
The Los Angeles Clippers big man has hit over half of his attempts at the line for a season just once in his seven years in the league.
| Season | FT | FTA | FT% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-2009 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 38.5 |
| 2009-2010 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 37.5 |
| 2010-2011 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 45.2 |
| 2011-2012 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 52.5 |
| 2012-2013 | 1.2 | 3 | 38.6 |
| 2013-2014 | 2 | 4.6 | 42.8 |
| 2014-2015 | 2.3 | 5.7 | 39.7 |
His rising attempts are a result of more teams utilizing the "Hack-a-Jordan" strategy of intentionally fouling the 27-year-old and hoping he clanks his freebies.
The Houston Rockets didn't shy away from this blueprint during their postseason matchup with the Clippers. They sent Jordan to the stripe 34 times during Game 4 of their second-round series, with an NBA-record 28 coming in the first half alone.
While his form and setup aren't so horrendous, his follow-through appears to be the primary culprit, with most of his shots either falling short or fading to the left.
Jordan was one of only two players (Dwight Howard) to finish in the top 30 in free-throw attempts in 2014-15 while shooting below 70 percent. That pattern will recur until the 6-foot-11 center boosts his percentage to a respectable level - which may be asking too much.
- With h/t to Pro Basketball Talk