<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Dwight Howard and his camp likely will request an invitation from the NBA for the Magic center to compete in the slam-dunk contest during all-star weekend in mid-February. The event has catered to smaller, creative players, but Howard wants to show that big men have flair, despite their obvious size advantage, and he's working on some tricks. More impressive than his jaw-dropping power dunking has been his show of finesse: The 6-foot-11 Howard has improved his touch at the free-throw line this season. And after making a free throw against the Seattle SuperSonics last Wednesday night, Howard took a few steps toward the basket, pumped his fist and yelled, "Yeah, gooseneck!" Gooseneck? Magic assistant coaches Randy Ayers and Mark Bryant have changed Howard's form on his free throws, encouraging him to get the ball up higher on his release with a follow-through called the "goosehead" technique. When Howard releases the ball, he holds his hand and wrist at the top in the shape of a gooseneck until the ball hits the basket. "We call it the 'goosehead,' but Dwight calls it the 'gooseneck,' " Ayers said, laughing. "The worst thing is that he has Grant [Hill] saying it now. . . . What it does is give Dwight a point of reference when he's shooting. We want him to get the ball higher [on his release]." It's an old technique among shooting coaches, but new to Howard -- and he's embraced it. He made 66.2 percent of his free throws (100-151) heading into Monday's game. On this trip, he made 13-of-16 against the Utah Jazz -- including a 9-for-9 start -- and finished 8-of-12 against the Sonics. "The gooseneck has helped me a lot. My mechanics are good now, so it just gives me a lot of confidence," Howard said. "That's the biggest thing."</div> Source
I read this too and I found it funny. Whatever works though. For awhile, Dwight's free throw shooting seemed to be one of his biggest weaknesses. I'm glad he's improving so that team's can't use a Hack-a-Dwight defense on him similar to how they defend Shaq in the paint.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Swish next time you interview him, tell him to use more fingertip and less palm on his release.</div> Hahahahahaha. Something tells me Dwight might just be a little offended by that. I mean, it is one of the most basic aspects of shooting. I wanna go shoot baskets now, but I'm injured.
<div class="quote_poster">Chuck Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Hahahahahaha. Something tells me Dwight might just be a little offended by that. I mean, it is one of the most basic aspects of shooting.</div> Yeah I was thinking that too... "Uh, Dwight, you might want to use more fingertip instead of palm when you release." "Shut up kid, I have coaches for that you little punk." (bodyguard tackles me and kicks my ass).
It is one of the most basic aspects, and maybe it's being overlooked because his shooting coach isn't paying attention to it. He has terrible mechanics on his release and the main problem is too, much palm on the ball. A few of his free throw attempts in the Clipper game looked like a shot put heave. Here's a better question for him. Ask him if he's trying out for the Olympic Shot Put team based on the way he shoots his free throws.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It is one of the most basic aspects, and maybe it's being overlooked because his shooting coach isn't paying attention to it. He has terrible mechanics on his release and the main problem is too, much palm on the ball. A few of his free throw attempts in the Clipper game looked like a shot put heave. Here's a better question for him. Ask him if he's trying out for the Olympic Shot Put team based on the way he shoots his free throws. </div> He would probably laugh, but I'm not willing to take that risk.
