Being a big man with even bigger skills, Shaquille O’Neal.
Of course, if you are familiar with the man, you are aware of the incredible talent he possessed while competing in the NBA. Heck, without that kind of skill, you don’t end up being the most dominant player in history.
Shaquille O’Neal will be remembered as one of the most dominant big men in the history of the NBA. His free throw shooting is one aspect of his game that has never been described as dominant.
Shaq shot 52.2% from the foul line in his nineteen seasons in the NBA. That is not acceptable. Shaq’s career field goal percentage of nearly 59% makes things even more lopsided. That’s 7% better than those “easy shots” from the free throw line.
Many fans wondered why Shaq, who had dominant Hall of Fame numbers in almost every other statistical big man category, could never master the free throw.
A free throw is the ultimate equalizer in sports. Whether you are Shaquille O’Neal or a youngster playing youth basketball, the shot is the same. Fifteen feet away on a ten-foot hoop. It’s a wonder Shaq didn’t get better at them, but he just didn’t.
There were many factors, but Shaq’s free throw percentage simply didn’t match the rest of his game.