Pietrus not even practicing his freethrows

by nautica on May 11, 2007 10:04 AM PDT

You would think after missing two critical freethrows at the end of the 4th in Game 2 that Pietrus would be practicing freethrows until his arm falls off. NOT THE CASE.

Won't toe the line: Despite missing two free throws that probably would have clinched a victory in the final minute of Game 2, guard Mickael Pietrus refused to go to the free-throw line Thursday.

"If I practice free throws today, I will think about it tomorrow," he said. "If I practice free throws today, I would probably break the rim."

After Davis, who also missed a free throw as Golden State blew a five-point lead in the final 53 seconds of Game 2, finished his media responsibilities, he headed straight for the foul line. Al Harrington and Andris Biedrins did the same. But Pietrus just looked on.

"You would think that I could make at least one, but I missed both of them," he said. "I feel sorry for my teammates, because they played very well. I'm trying not to think about it. It already happened, so there's nothing I can do about it now."

He did have an interesting recovery plan, however.

"I'm going to go home, play with my puppy, take him to Golden Gate Park and make him happy," Pietrus said.

Its irritating as hell that Pietrus doesn't seem to acknowledge his weaknesses and parts of his game that needs work on. Sometimes it seems like he doesn't even try to make an effort at improving himself.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/chronicle/archive/2007/05/11/SPGMMPP0L51.DTL

Poll

Should Pietrus be working on his freethrows?

Yes

33 votes

No

3 votes

Doesn't matter. He'll keep missing them anyways.

18 votes

54 votes | Poll has closed

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

What the hell!

I mean I am not blaming the guy for missing the free thows, but come on man shoot some god damn free thros in practice. I mean how does not shooting them supposed to help you. If Biedrins can make two free throws in the last two minutes anyone can.

by ghostridebaron on May 11, 2007 10:08 AM PDT reply actions

Mr. 1 for 2

Is what my friend and I call him. I can't even count the number of times he split free throws this year. I thought for sure he could manage to split those HUGE free throws in the last game... He has actually been playing better lately. Then something like this happens and you just want to say: "Trade him!" You've got to figure that Mullin will probably not re-sign him at this point.

RACK IT UP!!! We believed. Playoffs '07. One Dub!

by EternalWarriorsOptimist on May 11, 2007 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions

free throws

hes not gonna be an awesome free throw shooter in a day. its something he has to work on in the off season.

no point in being outraged...

i thought i knew but i had no idea

by dieFLYING on May 11, 2007 10:10 AM PDT reply actions

yeah

if you have a flaw in your game, its not going to be fixed in 2 days. Do you think Jrich can improve his handles by game 3, if it was his handles that cost the Warriors game 2?

Marv Albert: "I ain't trippin'!"

by ZombieWarrior on May 11, 2007 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree

practicing throws will not fix his problem at this moment. Offseason is the time. Free throws now are just mental. He still frustrates the hell outta me though!!!

by geemoney650 on May 11, 2007 10:42 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah I know

that his freethrowing flaw realistically won't be fixed in the span of a couple days. But the way he put it, its like he doesn't want to attempt to practice freethrows because he'll get frustrated and "break the rim." So what happens when he's put in a similar pressure situation in the next few games? I'm not sure how long he can keep shrugging it off.

by nautica on May 11, 2007 10:53 AM PDT reply actions

charm < frustration<good times

The man loves puppies, says silly things, is capable of highlight dunks and occasional 3 point streaks vs. the man choked oh so very hard and will continue to make really dumb turnovers. I love our bad news bears. Does the pure stupid joy of the team outweigh the ugly loss? Is it horrible to flip the script from happy go lucky, hungry fan to rabid bus throwing under critic? Anyone else have these mixed feelings? I wrote Peety off near the end of season but sure enough he stepped up a few times and won back a place in my heart.
I actually think it's moot. Chances are Barnes is eating MP's lunch at this point and we'll be watching our lovable French goof in a different uniform next season. I'm going to try and enjoy the whole squad for the rest of this run good and bad regardless.

by redape on May 11, 2007 11:08 AM PDT reply actions

I completely agree, redape

This team is an absolute joy to behold and their success has been long over-due and well deserved. You know that off-season trades will happen, let's enjoy the boys as they are now!

by meganette on May 11, 2007 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

just remembered something...

haha, last year my boyfriend and I saw Pietrus playing with his puppy near the Golden Gate Bridge. he sure does love his puppies.

by iboughtazarkojersey on May 11, 2007 12:07 PM PDT reply actions

Did his puppies have ...

choke collars....if so they have something in common with its owner.

1 down, 3 to go.

by WhoreRIORS on May 11, 2007 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm going out on a limb by saying this...

seeing as how i've only shot 2 freethrows in my life, and that was for an intramural game at Cal. But it seems to me that FT's are all about mentality. It doesn't matter how many you make and what your percentage is in practice, but come game time, handling that pressure is what it's all about. W/ the exception of Biedrins (and Al), most of the guys have pretty decent form, so it's not a matter of just practicing. Even if you had the utmost confidence in practice, game time pressures are what they are. Some guys can deal with them, some can't.

I'd advocate paying fines or salary deductions or unpaid bonuses for missing freethrows in practice. That may simulate game pressure conditions.

by yuletak on May 11, 2007 12:49 PM PDT reply actions