NBA: 20 Predictions for the 2014-15 Season
By Shane Young
20. Josh Smith and Andre Drummond combine to shoot 57 percent from the free throw line
Detroit had an atrocious trio of free throw shooters in 2013-14. It wasn’t just on their roster — it was in their starting lineup. Josh Smith, Andre Drummond, and Greg Monroe were the biggest damper for the Pistons, while also being the greatest advantages they had on their opponents. Monroe became Detroit’s only starting big man to shoot at least 60 percent from the charity stripe.
Taking Monroe out of the equation, the Pistons’ most explosive forward (Smith) recorded his second-worst career efficiency on free throws, and their franchise center (Drummond) barely broke 40 percent.
Altogether, Smith and Drummond shot 297-of-629 from the line, which was just 47.2 percent. It’s hard to imagine a frontcourt is basically forfeiting 332 free, easy points throughout a season. More, if you include Monroe’s misses.
But, we assume it’s everything but easy for Drummond. He was only a sophomore big man, and never was a free throw shooter at UConn. His hands are way too oversized to hold the ball in a adequate manner, and he still didn’t grasp how to use his legs properly.
For Smith and Drummond to shoot 57 percent combined this year, a large step-up has to take place. On 630 attempts, basically what they shot last season, they would have to make 359 of them.
New head coach, Stan Van Gundy, has a history of working with big men on the mental aspects of the game, as well as the physical. Both areas are where Drummond struggles at the line, and he needed the proper guiding. People shouldn’t bank on him being much better from the line in 2014-15, but there’s always one player that massively improves one part of his game. I’ll make that Drummond’s foul shooting this time around.
Normally, two starters shooting 57 percent from the line isn’t anything out of the ordinary. But, for this duo, it would be very accommodating for the Pistons.