Myles & Free Throws

The RUT

Heisman
Oct 30, 2011
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As stakes get higher not only this year but the next 2..Myles will have to fix this
Myles’ next step in his game needs to be developing a face to the basket midrange game.

As he does this, the free throws will come.

Poor mans LeMarcus Aldridge should be his goal.
 
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RUJMM78

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
26,216
12,477
113
On the season, Miles is 14 for 38 (36.8%) on free throws. Trying something completely different might make a difference. Can't really hurt to try this in practice.
That is far too many missed foul shots.There must be some coach out there who can change his foul shooting routine.
 
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DirtyRU

All-American
Nov 16, 2002
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That's an interesting suggestion. Instead of standing dead center, would he be better off standing off-center and banking them in.
Remember Earl Johnson used to shoot his free throws WAY off-centered? Only player I've ever seen do that.

He didn't go for the bank though... but seriously, not a bad idea for Myles.

Who cares if it's embarrassing... also would make him unique and would prob. get people outside of RU talking about him more. And any press is good press, ha
 
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StyleKnight

All-Conference
Jan 13, 2012
46,188
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That's an interesting suggestion. Instead of standing dead center, would he be better off standing off-center and banking them in.
That's interesting, just put our best rebounder opposite and go for the offensive rebound.
 

FastMJ

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Jan 6, 2007
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Much higher success rate for guys who've struggled. Much softer play off the rim. Montez would probably benefit also.
The problem is that today’s players are too “cool” to be seen doing it even if it would add 10-20% to their rate
 
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Jtg=04131996

All-Conference
Aug 2, 2010
8,165
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Myles’ next step in his game needs to be developing a face to the basket midrange game.

As he does this, the free throws will come.

Poor mans LeMarcus Aldridge should be his goal.
I always loved Aldridge. Ya never heard much about him cause he’s not flashy and played on the west coast, but whenever you saw him play, he always bullied the opposing bigs. Great player for Myles to study.
 
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Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
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Remember Earl Johnson used to shoot his free throws WAY off-centered? Only player I've ever seen do that.

He didn't go for the bank though... but seriously, not a bad idea for Myles.

Who cares if it's embarrassing... also would make him unique and would prob. get people outside of RU talking about him more. And any press is good press, ha
Is it more embarrassing than shooting in the 30s from the line? Bc I'd be pretty embarrassed about that

Seriously though at this point he needs to try something new. What is the record low FT? I've never seen someone shoot this low
 
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Scarlet Shack

Heisman
Feb 3, 2004
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his stroke is better than his percentage ...he will eventually learn to get more legs and a bit softer

Kid will be 60% plus next year
 

dkostus

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Feb 10, 2002
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It's amazing how many threads bashing Myles there are while Jacob Young gets related by most of the board. One has been much more integral to our success... it ain't Young.
 

Scangg

Heisman
Mar 19, 2016
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It's amazing how many threads bashing Myles there are while Jacob Young gets related by most of the board. One has been much more integral to our success... it ain't Young.
What are you talking about? The board lovessss Myles. His FT shooting is horrible though no spinning it and worthy of discussion. Don't be a drama queen trying to start a false narrative of a Myles hate
 
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Upstream

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
35,284
10,251
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It's amazing how many threads bashing Myles there are while Jacob Young gets related by most of the board. One has been much more integral to our success... it ain't Young.
No one is complaining about his 70% FG shooting
 

Joey Bacala

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Aug 12, 2005
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What are you talking about? The board lovessss Myles. His FT shooting is horrible though no spinning it and worthy of discussion. Don't be a drama queen trying to start a false narrative of a Myles hate

Couldn't be at the game last night but watched and they had a close up of him and it became obvious one issue. He isn't spinning it because he releases off his palm kinda shot putting it a little. Needs to let it roll of his fingertips a little.
 
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BigRnj

All-American
Nov 20, 2012
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I posted something similar elsewhere. He couldn't be worse. Try to bank them in. Do something.

is this a joke?

Unfortunately no, it’s not a joke. You should hear some of the whiners in the stands yelling their instructions to the players. The joke part is that some of the biggest whiners look like they belong on the island of misfit toys and I guarantee many NEVER participated in any competitive athletic event, but they know how to instruct D1 athletes :Laughing

PS - Myles wants to make that FT more than anyone in the arena. He will have to make it a priority amongst many demands on his time if he wants to improve. Oh and for you short guys with little hands, take a softball, stand on a chair and shoot a few FTs and see what it’s like for a big man ... not as easy day you think.
 

GoodOl'Rutgers

Heisman
Sep 11, 2006
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I'm telling ya.. his hands are so big he might be able to pull off a one hand underhand shot... The physics work work well for a very soft shot
 

knight82

All-American
Nov 4, 2002
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I've noticed that Myles and others who are missing free throws are not taking their time. They need to slow down and concentrate. It's almost like he's going to the line thinking let's get this over with
 

RU-ROCS

All-American
Feb 5, 2003
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Sadly, Myles and free throws is what George Carlin would call an oxymoron, like “non-dairy creamer” or “Military intelligence.” I love every other aspect of Myles’s game.
 

[email protected]

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Jun 24, 2001
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If Myles went to underhanded FT's I'll bet he would go from his current 40% to between 50% & 60%.


Wonder what kind of % he posts in practice? He's an engineer...show if not enough energy or too much he should be able to compensates.

Regardless he needs to play and STOP SETTING PICS. I didn't notice any that he set in the last game...so GOOD!

MO
 
Sep 29, 2005
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I have a quick fix for Mathis. When he shoots free throws, both of his feet toe the line. He should move his left foot back about 6 inches off the line. That would give him better balance.
 
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BigRnj

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Nov 20, 2012
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Sadly, Myles and free throws is what George Carlin would call an oxymoron, like “non-dairy creamer” or “Military intelligence.” I love every other aspect of Myles’s game.

since he’s a big guy ... jumbo shrimp!
 
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Mr_Twister

All-American
Apr 1, 2004
15,684
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Bring in NJ native Rick Barry and Calvin Murphy for a team foul shooting clinic. Both men are available and both were remarkable foul shooters, each with their own style.
 
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fluoxetine

Heisman
Nov 11, 2012
23,529
16,898
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Isn't that what people said about this year? He's regressed

To be fair.. it's a sample size of 38. The 95% confidence interval on the true rate with a 14/38 sample is something like [22%, 54%].

I'd be willing to bet his true rate is higher than 37%.
 

BillyC80

Heisman
Oct 23, 2006
17,110
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Having shot thousands of free throws I came to realize that beyond certain basis mechanics it’s really a matter of focus.

Practicing with proper mechanics it becomes a matter of muscle memory. The key in a game situation is focus. Literally focusing on a spot and then let it fly.

In the case of Myles if he’s having trouble slipping the ball over the front of the rim, which is the proper way, then he needs to find a different spot to focus on. If that means banking them in, then so be it.
 

GoodOl'Rutgers

Heisman
Sep 11, 2006
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I've noticed that Myles and others who are missing free throws are not taking their time. They need to slow down and concentrate. It's almost like he's going to the line thinking let's get this over with
Carter needs to bend his knees and take the shot as he rises... Like a jump shot without leaving the floor. As it is he stands ramrod straight and THEN releases using mostly his wrists and hands. That's crazy-bad form for something you are trying to reproduce.

Think of it this way.. a slight variation in a motion from the knees up is a small variation.. small error... But when the whole shooting motion is wrists and fingers.. even elbows up.. a variation of a couple inches is a big percentage of that motion. By making the motion from knees up the variations can cancel each other out and deliver a smooth, soft shot.
 

GoodOl'Rutgers

Heisman
Sep 11, 2006
123,974
19,586
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Having shot thousands of free throws I came to realize that beyond certain basis mechanics it’s really a matter of focus.

Practicing with proper mechanics it becomes a matter of muscle memory. The key in a game situation is focus. Literally focusing on a spot and then let it fly.

In the case of Myles if he’s having trouble slipping the ball over the front of the rim, which is the proper way, then he needs to find a different spot to focus on. If that means banking them in, then so be it.
The physics of very tall guys shooting is different than that of 6-footers.

The ideal case is a very short person who can barely reach the cylinder but do it every time. The shot will rise to it's max height in a long arc and softly come down on the rim if off a little bit.

For a 7-footer who may be releasing the shot at 9-foot.. if the ball is shot to barely clear the rim it will be very flat and fast. If he introduced a normal 45 degree arc.. it's high point might be.. where? 15 feet? And have 5 feet to travel downward towards the cylinder.. picking up speed.. slightly off.. that clangs the rim fairly hard.

It really is tougher for big guys to hit free throws.. that's why to OP talked about the underhand shot.. it changes the physics.

Myles is a bright guy. Someone explain it to him from a physics angle.
 
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