Whenever I learn of another free-throw shooter struggling to hit even close to half his shots, I am reminded of a Marshall product who played long before most of you were born.
When Wilt Chamberlain was playing with the Philadelphia 76'ers, one of his backcourt aces was a star named Hal Greer. His memory is being resurrected here because he did something I've never seen anyone else do---before or since---and he did it extremely successfully.
Hal shot soft jumpers when sent to the free-throw line, just lightly lifting with his toes upon release. He was outstanding in so doing and causes me to wonder why more who struggle when stationary at the line don't employ his method. After all, the jump shot seems far more comfortable to most basketballers than does the free-throw methods customarily utilized.
I can appreciate---as can most---the reluctance of most manly athletes to comply with the suggestion that the under-handed, between-the-knees approach made famous by Rick Barry (and later copied by Wilt) be tried. It's far more admirable to miss repeatedly than to succeed at something as simple as a free throw, right?
That kind of reasoning frosts the ever-controversial Barry, of course.
At any rate, someone unable to exceed 38% of his tosses, as reportedly is true of Memphis big man Dorsey, should simply try Greer's preference. Shoot jumpers from the line. Most ballers good enough to win scholarships at major universities can probably hit at least fifty percent of his uncontested jumpers, inasmuch as he has a clear view of the hoop. Anyone hitting only 38% under those circumstances is probably not good enough to earn major minutes on anyone's court anyhow, unless he is one helluva bounder and defender.
Perhaps this suggestion will also work for Cavalier big man Ben Wallace, supposedly the all-time worst NBA free-throw shooter.
Speaking of the Cavs, there is suddenly some justifiable panic about the rotations of Head Coach Mike Brown, particularly as they are affected by the huge mid-season three-way trade. There is now so little time for the club to achieve synchronicity so contributory to a post-season run, a reality that has been aggravated by an untimely bout with injury and illness.
Since I am clearly afflicted with a suggestive disposition, perhaps the coach should relegate all the new guys---as well as the too-often-unavailable Sasha Pavlovic---to bench duty, employing them only as reserve pieces during the playoffs. This would have Lebron James out there with four guys who not only know him but one another, as well.
Put Anderson Varejao in Drew Gooden's vacated four spot and Devin Brown at the two. Daniel Gibson gets the start at point, with Z in his customary center slot. Largely, this is the core of the club anyway.
No one is saying so, but it seems believable that Joe Smith's knees necessitate judicious employment of the guy who'd then become Z's backup, inheriting his pick-and-pop assignments. Ben Wallace's back issues suggest he cannot be relied upon for fulltime use or heavy minutes. Let him backup Andy.
Devin is far better defensively than Sasha and is also much more creative and diverse offensively. He sets a better tone starting than does Pavlovic, whose never been celebrated for his toughness. He can, however, help Wally generate some points with the off-the-bench bunch, while Delonte West orchestrates from the point.
These configurations figure to give this team the best chance to win and sustain its viability deepest in the playoffs. In fact, above all others, Damon Jones is probably the best bet for instant offense if asked to join the regulars as the sixth man. He is far more familiar with them than any of those identified as second-stringers.
Finally, you've got to hand it to the Pistons, who continue to exhibit an awareness of the sport too few NBA outfits seem to get. On the very night that organization honored former GM Jack McCloskey for his "Trader Jack" accomplishments in Motown, it was largely the play of physical big men that distinguished the two competing teams. Auxilary components Antonio McDyees, Theo Ratliff and Jason Maxiel dominated for the home team inside, with roughness, toughness, exuberance and raw-boned banging.
It was McCloskey who fleeced the Cavaliers of Bill Laimbeer decades ago, virtually signaling the start of the Bad Boys days. Pairing the Notre Damer from Pacific Palisades with Rick Mahorn---notorious for his unpunished elbow to Mark Price's temple---McCloskey provided for a signature moment the club maintains to this day.
Austin Carr calls it "old school...That's just the way it's done."
For Detroit guard Chauncey Billups, it goes like this: "I'm sure any other team in our division would be partying if they had a chance to win the division. But for us, it's not that big of a deal. We're playing for something bigger."
He can talk that way because the Pistons just won their sixth divisional title in seven years. Style of play, featuring rough and tumble bigs, might have something to do with that, don't ya think?
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