3 Things Robert Upshaw Can Learn From Roy Hibbert

Jan 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) holds the ball against the Houston Rockets in the first half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 110 to 98. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Wanna play late in games?  Make free throws.  

The 2015 playoffs revealed the one true weakness of NBA big men these days: the “easiest” shot in the game.  Some of the league’s most dominant defensive big men: Dwight Howard, DeAndre Jordan, and Andrew Bogut, had to sit the bench simply because they could not make their free throws.

With DeAndre Jordan on the floor, the Clippers are truly an elite team, but when he is on the bench at the end of games, their defense suffers, making them a complete different team.

One area that Hibbert has excelled in throughout his career is his free throw shooting, posting a career average of 74.8%, including a career high 82.4% last season.  In his lone season at the University of Washington, Upshaw shot 43.4% from the free throw line.

In Hibbert’s senior season, he shot 64.6%, showing that he has clearly spent time in the gym over the course of his career improving his percentage.

When it comes to free throws, it is simply a matter of work ethic.  I hate to bring up Blake Griffin again, but the guy puts in a ton of work improving his game, including his free throws.   In his second season, he shot 52.1% from the line, and this past season was up to 72.8%.

Given Upshaw’s questionable character and motor on the court, I am a bit skeptical right now that he will put in the required work, and if he doesn’t he will suffer more than anybody.

Next: It's All About Effort