Granny-shot pioneer Rick Barry admires Rockets' Onuaku

Houston Rockets' Chinanu Onuaku made his NBA debut Monday, playing eight minutes and scoring six points.

More notably, when the understated rookie stepped to the free-throw line, he used an underhanded "granny" shot.

The big man made both his attempts, impressing one of his brothers in the obscure shot fraternity with the effort - Hall of Famer Rick Barry, according to the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore. Though Barry wasn't entirely complimentary.

"I admire the fact he was willing to try to something different," Barry said Tuesday. "Unfortunately, his technique leaves a lot to be desired."

Barry, who retired in 1980, made 89.3 percent of his free throws shooting underhanded, leading the NBA in free-throw percentage in his final three seasons. In 1978-9, he averaged 94.7.

"My first time doing it, I was in Scotch Plains, New Jersey," Barry said of his own experience. "I hear this guy in the stands yell, 'Hey, Barry, you big sissy, why are you shooting like that?' The guy next to him, I remember hearing him so clearly as if it was yesterday, says to him, 'What are you making fun of him for? He doesn't miss.' That's the bottom the line. It's not how you do it. It's whether it goes in or not."

Onuaku switched to shooting underhanded as a college sophomore at Louisville and raised his free-throw percentage from 46 percent to 59 percent.