Free throw
The league's best shooters (such as Mark Price, Steve Nash, Steve Kerr, Rick Barry, Larry Bird, Ray Allen, José Calderón, Stephen Curry, Reggie Miller, Kevin Durant, and Dirk Nowitzki) can make roughly 90% of their attempts over a season, while notoriously poor shooters (e.g. Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Andre Drummond, Andris Biedrins, Chris Dudley, Ben Wallace, Shaquille O'Neal, Ben Simmons, and Dennis Rodman) may struggle to make 50% of them.
If, despite the foul, the player still makes the attempted shot, the number of free throws is reduced to one, and the basket counts.
The WNBA follows the NBA's rules regarding reset of the team foul count in the final 2 minutes of any period (including overtime).
In addition, overtime is considered an extension of the second half for purposes of accumulated team fouls.
The opposing team chooses a replacement shooter if the player fouled is ejected (such as participating in a fight) before taking their free throws.
This foul is charged against the player (who, depending on the severity of the offense, can even be ejected), and the opponent gets two free throws and possession of the ball afterward.
Many times defenders hold their opponent to prevent them from catching an in-bound pass or fight through screens and thus are called for fouls.
It is therefore common for a losing team to deliberately single out its opponent's poor free-throw shooters, regardless of their dominance in other aspects of the game (as in the cases of Ben Wallace and Shaquille O'Neal), as the targets of deliberate fouls until the two-minute mark, after which the losing team plays intense defense for the rest of the game; this strategy is known as the "Hack-a-Shaq".
This motivated teams to chase poor free-throw shooters, such as Chamberlain, around the court in an attempt to foul him in an effort to extend the game.
Players are, however, permitted to jump while attempting the free throw, provided they do not leave the designated area at any point.
2 Defensive fouls committed during an inbounds pass prior to the ball being released result in two free throws regardless of the penalty situation.
[11] While this did not affect most players, in at least the case of Russell Westbrook, it changed his prior routine of walking back nearly to half-court between shots.
Historical examples of star players who were poor shooters include Wilt Chamberlain, Ben Wallace, and Shaquille O'Neal.
Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan and Andre Drummond[14] have been subjected to this strategy as well,[15] as have other players.
While this allows the leading team to shoot free throws and increase their lead, it also stops the clock, similar to a time out in football (in basketball, a time out may only be called by a team with possession of the ball).
Therefore, many teams substitute players with high free-throw percentages when they are leading late in games to combat this strategy.
It is seen as a last resort strategy with little chance of success, but if it is not employed the leading team may run out the clock and end the game.
Players will either position both feet square to the line or will have one foot forward in a split stance.
Many players perform a "ritual" before shooting free throws; this can range from bouncing the ball off the floor or touching their shoes to more unusual and iconic rituals, such as Gilbert Arenas wrapping the ball around his waist 3 times or Jeff Hornacek touching his face once for each of his children.
[17] Once prepared, the player will bend his legs to generate power, extend the ball over his head, and shoot in a form similar to the typical basketball jump shot, although they will not always leave the ground during a free throw.
"[22] Professionals who have adopted the style include Chinanu Onuaku[23] and Barry's son Canyon.
