Andre Iguodala: Providing The Warriors With … Offense?

Free Throw Shooting

The biggest knock against Andre Iguodala his entire career has been poor free throw shooting, as Denver Nuggets fans will immediately tell you. “How can a shooting guard be such a poor free throw shooter?” is a common question for those who haven’t watched him much over the last few weeks.

Iggy is a career 71.7 percent shooter from the foul line, which isn’t as God-awful as the Iguodala critics would lead you to believe. But since the 2009-10 season, his free throw percentage dipped every year until reaching a career low 57.4 percent in Denver (which, combined with the fact that he left the Nuggets for the very team that beat them in the playoffs, is why those in the Mile High City are among his biggest critics).

Since then, however, Iguodala’s been a touch better from the foul line. His free throw percentage shot up to 65.2 last season, and though it’s dropped back down to 58.4 percent this season, he’s converted 67.9 percent of his attempts from the foul line since All-Star Weekend.

That’s not exactly a percentage to jump up and down about, but I think Kerr and company will take two makes in every three tries for Iguodala. More importantly, Iguodala hasn’t been afraid of getting fouled, something that’s held back his offense with his free throw shooting deteriorating over the past few years. As you can see here, he took the contact on both dunks, though no foul was called for either of them:

In transition and even in the half court, Iggy doesn’t shy away from attacking the basket when the opportunity presents itself. Whether his confidence at the line stems from his assertiveness attacking the rim or vice versa, Iguodala is shooting 75 percent from the foul line in March, a trend the Dubs would like to see continue when the postseason rolls around.

Next: Efficiency