The jumpshot is one of the most useful tools in sports. There is a proper form and routine to be a successful shooter. "The perfect form" does not work for everyone. Some players need to change it up to be successful and some players will try every possible form under the sun to try and get it right. One-handed, underhanded, from the side of the waist, are some of the forms that players have tried, but they're just not aesthetically pleasing. Watching Ray Allen or Steve Nash knock down shot after shot with the perfect form is awesome, but these players make the jumpshot a painful experience. The players come in different sizes and at different positions.
Rick Barry was a great free throw shooter but that underhanded fling was laughable. Wilt Chamberlain tried every way possible to make free throws but just could not knock them down at a respectable rate. From Reggie Miller's effective but unorthodox three ball to Shaq's ugly heaves at the free throw line, here are the Ugliest Jumpshots and Free Throws in NBA History in GIFs.
20. Jerry Stackhouse
Career years: 1995-present
Career PPG: 16.9
Career FG%: 40.9%
Career FT%: 82.2%
Jerry Stackhouse's form on his jumper is pretty much normal and efficient based on his free-throw shooting numbers. His routine on the other hand makes this whole process look ugly. Stackhouse explained that his mom has something to do with that:
"During high school, I would be at the line and I could hear my mom yelling for me to bend my knees. After I started really bending my knees and shooting that way all the time my percentage went up, so I just kept doing it. I shot that way all through high school and college. My first year in the NBA I went away from it because I looked around and no one else was doing it so I stopped. But my percentage went down, so I went back to it."
We'll give Stack a pass because of his mom the influencer.
19. Kenyon Martin
18. Josh Childress
17. Leandro Barbosa
16. Michael Adams
15. Desmond Mason
14. Don Nelson
13. Wilt Chamberlain
12. Shaquille O'Neal
11. Jamaal Wilkes
10. Kevin Martin
9. Bill Cartwright
8. Andris Biedrins
7. Joakim Noah
6. Anthony Mason
Career years: 1989-2003
Career PPG: 10.9
Career FG%: 50.9%
Career FT%: 70.9%
The purpose of the off-hand is to help guide the free-throw. Mason didn't always shoot this way but he made the change in '95. Here's his explanation to the Daily News:
"It's logical to shoot it that way," said Mason, who proved it last night by hitting six of seven from the free-throw line. "When I have the ball in one hand, it's already in the proper place next to my head to line up the shot."
Anthony Mason chose to hold his off-hand in an awkward position while shooting strictly with his left hand. He wasn't a great free-throw shooter, but he was able to stay respectful with a plus-70 shooting percentage from the line.