When I think about NBA's best free throw shooters, one name pops up instantly: Stephen Curry. This guy is an absolute magician from the free-throw line, boasting a career free throw percentage of around 90.6%. Think about that for a moment, nearly 91% of the time, he sinks that free throw. It's insane! I remember reading about his 2010-2011 season where he shot 93.4% from the free-throw line. Talk about efficiency. And it’s no accident—Curry trains like a maniac, reportedly making hundreds of free throws every practice.
Another name that stands out is Steve Nash. I mean, this guy was incredible. He retired with a free throw percentage of 90.4%. During the 2009-2010 season, Nash hit 93.8% of his free throws. Unbelievable, right? I can still recall those Phoenix Suns games where Nash would step to the line, and you'd almost just assume he was going to make both free throws. He’s not just a random name; Nash’s percentage ranks him third all-time in the NBA.
And who could forget Mark Price? This dude was ahead of his time. Price managed to hit 90.4% of his free throws over his career. In the 1988-1989 season, he managed to shoot 90.1% from the line, which was just stunning for that era. I remember reading an old Sports Illustrated article praising his meticulous training routines. It made me appreciate his dedication even more.
We can’t talk about free throw shooting without mentioning Rick Barry. This guy had a unique underhand style that his son, Canyon Barry, adopted. Rick Barry hit 89.3% of his free throws during his career, peaking at 94.7% in the 1978-1979 season. Imagine the courage and confidence it takes to shoot underhanded in the NBA. But hey, Rick Barry is living proof that it worked, and brilliantly so.
Reggie Miller, known for his clutch shooting, also deserves a mention. With a career free throw percentage of 88.8%, Miller was an exceptional free throw shooter. During the 1990-1991 season, he shot 91.8% from the free throw line. His accuracy was one of the reasons the Indiana Pacers often relied on him in crunch time. I remember those playoff battles where Miller's free throws were almost automatic.
The modern era brings us guys like Damian Lillard. Lillard has a career free throw percentage hovering around 89%, with a peak of 91.2% during the 2019-2020 season. You can sense his confidence and precision when he steps to the line. Lillard’s clutch performances often include crucial free throws, solidifying his reputation as one of today's best.
Kevin Durant also deserves to be in this conversation. Durant, with his smooth shooting form, has a career free throw percentage of around 88.4%. During the 2018-2019 season, he shot 88.5% from the line. It’s fascinating how such a tall player can be so light on his feet and precise. KD’s versatility makes him a nightmare for defenders, and his free throw shooting only adds to his arsenal.
James Harden, another high-volume scorer, maintains a career free throw percentage of about 86%. The 2018-2019 season saw Harden shooting 87.9% from the stripe. Harden's ability to draw fouls and then convert those free throws make him extremely valuable. Watching him play, you can almost predict that he'll make those shots once he gets fouled. It's almost unfair.
Dirk Nowitzki, the legendary power forward, was another notable shooter. Nowitzki retired with a free throw percentage of 87.9%, and his peak came during the 2009-2010 season when he shot 91.5% from the line. His unique one-legged fadeaway is iconic, but his consistency at the free throw line often goes underappreciated. For a big man to shoot like that, Nowitzki truly changed the game.
Lastly, we have Ray Allen, the man with one of the purest shooting strokes in NBA history. Allen retired with a free throw percentage of 89.4%. In the 2008-2009 season, he shot 95.2% from the free-throw line. Remember Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals? While it’s his three-pointer that everyone remembers, Allen's consistent free throw shooting was always a significant asset.
When we talk about legendary free throw shooters, these names are more than just statistics. Their excellence from the line often impacted games, seasons, and even championships. Each of these players has left an indelible mark on the sport, particularly through their precision and reliability with free throws, a facet of the game that might not be as glamorous as a slam dunk or a three-pointer but is just as crucial. If you’re interested in learning more about NBA legends and sports analytics, check out Arena Plus. These guys truly redefined what it means to be a clutch shooter in the NBA.