Was Biedrins Free Throw Hampered by his Abs?
by warriorsvictim on Mar 11, 2010 11:55 AM PST
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After reading about the surgery I decided to conduct an experiment. I went to the local court and shot free throws a)with my regular motion, and b)arms only. I have a strong feelign that Biens has had this injury for a long time and has not been comfortable all season. He may have even had it over the summer, causing him to spend more time partying than playing for the national team as a means of avoiding further injury.
My assumption was that with only the arms it would be nearly impossible to shoot a consistent shot with a good chance to go in. The only other option was to let my son kick me in the belly and try to shoot in pain - but I am not that dedicated to you guys/gals :)
With my regular motion I made 20 out of 25 shots (80%). It is an effortless shot when you put your whole body into a single, smooth motion.
With arms only I shot 12 for 25 (48%). While this isnt exactly 19%, I was already starting out as a better pure shooter than Biedrins (damn genetics, I could have been someboy, a contender). Basically cutting my percentage in half is a major problem. The shot ended up being a lot like Beins' : flat and a lot of wrist.
I think this record poor shooting performance that is about to hit the history books will need an asterisk. He does not deserve to go down in history as the worst free thrower ever while playing hurt. I understand why he wouldnt discuss this during the season. There is a competitive disadvantage when the other team knows your weakness. I would come out now, though, and tell the world that Biens was hurt all year and was a hero for playing through an injury that required surgery.
As an extra bonus, this may boost his trade value so that other teams dont think he fell off this year for no reason.
I urge you to take a second to try shooting like Biens, then letting us know what happened. It is a strange experience. You can't just power through the shot and bank them all either. If your abs are hurting, putting that much effort into it is too painful for 1 measely point.
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!
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This is easy...
in a word…..“NO”
just lost all confindence in his free throw shooting this year…
God Willing...
Your midsection or core is where a lot of your motion and strength comes from.
Biedrins hardly ever put his whole body in a free throw motion to begin with. If you hamper his horrid motion at the line with an injury, your suckyness is going to be compounded.
About the only issue I have is that whole parting thing. If your hurt and blow off getting better by parting that’s just as irresponsible if not more so then just blowing off your national team. (Which is pretty high up the list).
"If God made us in his image then he must be dumb too, and a little ugly on the side."
Frank Zappa
Your midsection or core is where a lot of your motion and strength comes from.
um… no. assuming you have proper or at least consistent form in your upper body. shooting is from the ground up. ask any shooter or watch any instructional video and that’s what they’ll tell you.
the core is usually important for balance. that’s why many dancers emphasize having a strong core.
by homer simpson on Mar 12, 2010 6:37 PM PST up reply actions
The core is somewhere between the ground
and up, isn’t it?
by Reverend_Randy on Mar 12, 2010 6:45 PM PST up reply actions
core is the center (abs & back). any good shooter or coach will tell you shooting is all in the legs.
by homer simpson on Mar 14, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I think you underestimate how much the core factors into any movement in general. When you think you’re using your legs….well, you are, but your core is involved in that movement, too. Core is extremely important in basketball, not just for balance, but for explosive athleticism – it factors into jumping, agility, quickness…..pretty much every basketball movement you make, it’s involved in.
by Missing Barry on Mar 14, 2010 5:25 PM PDT up reply actions
not just for balance, but for explosive athleticism – it factors into jumping, agility, quickness
yes & no. because the muscles of the trunk and torso stabilize the spine from the pelvis to the neck and shoulder, they allow the transfer of powerful movements of the arms and legs. the core allows for powerful, rapid muscle contractions of the limbs b/c it eliminates imbalances. you’re ability to be stabilized & therefore balanced is increased with a strong core.
but you don’t need those things for FT shooting. try taking a fake stand still FT shot. you’re already balanced and you’re not “exploding” any of your limbs.
by homer simpson on Mar 14, 2010 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Have you ever strained an abdominal muscle ? It hurts to breathe. The core is involved damn near everything you do.
It hurts to breathe.
well of course it does. the abdominal muscles contract when breathing.
the “core” is a general term. there’s even differing opinions on which muscles it entails. for instance, not every core muscle affects breathing.
Andris’ primary injury, osteitis pubis, would affect his ability to make rapid changes of directions & sprinting. but it’s primarily a kicking injury that affects your ability to plant & kick hard.Osteitis Pubis is a painful overuse injury that affects the pelvis and most commonly occurs during kicking activities, ice skating and dance.
the injury can commonly last 6 months to 2 years & is believed to be degenerative (sclerosis & bone changes to the pubis symphysis).
his recent injury athletic pubalgia (aka sports hernia), common to soccer & hockey players, primarily affects violent twisting or turning as well as bending forward (cutting, kicking, etc) it’s not a muscle strength injury it’s a thinning of the wall that allows a hernia to occur. it’s mainly associated with groin pain. in general, recovery consists of 1-2 months rest then 3-4 months of sports related rehab.
those are 2 pretty serious injuries that could be a chronic problem & osteitis pubis doesn’t have a history of high surgical success. but both deal with violent movements (kicking, cutting, etc).
there are no violent movements in FT shooting.
by homer simpson on Mar 15, 2010 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions
there are no violent movements in FT shooting.
Ha, not normally, but when talking about Andris’ form of FT shooting….well, depends on your definition of “violent”. ;)
by Missing Barry on Mar 15, 2010 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Osteitis Pubis is a painful overuse injury that affects the pelvis and most commonly occurs during kicking activities, ice skating and dance.
Notice that the article says the injury commonly occurs during kicking, skating, and dance activities. It does not say that it only effects kicking, skating, and dance activities. Just because a particular activity causes an injury doesn’t mean that the injury isn’t going to effect other activities. Try spraining your neck and going for a walk if you don’t believe me.
Andris probably got his athletic pubalgia by violently twisting, but it’s effecting his everyday life, including activities like shooting FTs in professional basketball games, taking out the trash, and getting a good night’s rest.
Trust me, learning english isn’t a waste of time. It is actually sort of useful.
-randolphforpresident
by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 17, 2010 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Sit there on your chair and try to make a FT motion
Do it while paying attention to your “core.” Notice how it stretches? Notice how it moves? Now imagine doing it while trying to throw a basketball 15 feet. Sure, it’s not going to be as painful as trying to hedge a guard and get back in position, but it’s still gonna hurt.
And it’s gonna hurt even more if you’ve been running around straining your injury for 15 minutes before you get hammered on a shot by some 260lb 7 footer and have 2 FTs coming your way.
Andris himself has said “When I shoot FTs in practice, it’s easy and I can make a bunch in a row. But in the game, I can’t.” Other basketball activities exacerbate the injury, making it more difficult/painful to use the injured muscles, even for relatively smaller and less stressful movements like shooting a FT.
Trust me, learning english isn’t a waste of time. It is actually sort of useful.
-randolphforpresident
by Dubs fan in Boston on Mar 17, 2010 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions
For whatever reason
it’s minimum 20 or 25 or something.
by Reverend_Randy on Mar 11, 2010 3:30 PM PST up reply actions
Interesting theory
But, I think there’s a lot more than just his injury. If he was that injured to the point where he had to change his free throw motion, he shouldn’t have been on the court at all. He would not have been able to play, period.
Confident Marco Belinelli supporter
If he was that injured to the point where he had to change his free throw motion, he shouldn’t have been on the court at all.
That’s nellie for you, run them till they drop, then look puzzled.
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 11, 2010 1:59 PM PST reply actions
It’s also up to the team physicians and the player himself to make that determination.
Confident Marco Belinelli supporter
by Doctor Kajita on Mar 11, 2010 2:14 PM PST up reply actions
Ha, remember when Wright first got his arm torn out of his socket? The play continued and he had to grab a dude to stop play probably further injuring himself. He was holding his bad arm with the other and looking at the bench, but there not real good at that perception thing.
"If God made us in his image then he must be dumb too, and a little ugly on the side."
Frank Zappa
I was at the game. I remember. He was walking along the scorer’s table while everyone was watching the play on the other end (Warriors bench side).
Confident Marco Belinelli supporter
by Doctor Kajita on Mar 11, 2010 2:49 PM PST up reply actions
To be fair, if you’re hurt, you’re supposed to get on the ground. If you’re standing up, it’s hard to tell if it’s actually serious or not for both the refs and your own bench. Sit down!
by Missing Barry on Mar 11, 2010 9:27 PM PST up reply actions
If you’re standing up, it’s hard to tell if it’s actually serious or not for both the refs and your own bench. Sit down!
or wave around the detached arm to get their attention?
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 11, 2010 10:50 PM PST up reply actions
First I’ve heard of that but it makes sense. Either that or you can just walk off the court and straight into the locker room.
If you remember that play, Wright was looking around confused after it happened. He didn’t have a clue what to do so that would still be on the coaching staff in spring training to go over the basics. (They might have and he just freaked, having your arm pulled out can mess with you).
"If God made us in his image then he must be dumb too, and a little ugly on the side."
Frank Zappa
Hmmm…I think we need some more research. I think you should let your son kick you in the belly. LOL! Just kidding. But Biedrins problems at the free throw line are more numerous than can be accounted for by an injury. He has mechanical, mental, and work ethic issues. I have been a big supporter of him, but if he don’t get his ish together and work this summer, i’m gonna have to jump ship on him.
No, I agree Biens has a lot of problems with his shot
But when you start out bad, an injury like his would make you exponentially worse
by warriorsvictim on Mar 12, 2010 12:57 PM PST reply actions
Nothing like a scientific test!
kidding.
if it was affecting his free throws, there’s no way could have been playing. shooting FT’s is the lowest impact/stress thing he can do in a game.
shooting FT’s is the lowest impact/stress thing he can do in a game.
Shooting freethrows is the lowest stress thing we can do in a game but for Dre it’s Mt.Everest.
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 12, 2010 3:32 PM PST reply actions
No.
He should start shooting them Rick Barry style, but he won’t because if he does that he might not get the chicks. Better to look good and miss the shot then look kind of girly and make them.
He should start shooting them Rick Barry style, but he won’t because if he does that he might not get the chicks.
He’s already got a hot girlfriend as it is.
Nellie needs to go! but while we suffer....John Wall or Evan Turner please!
He’s already got a hot girlfriend as it is.
Maybe she can teach him how to shoot FT’s?
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 14, 2010 3:15 PM PDT up reply actions
I'll bet his girlfriend is not liking...
groin surgery. Maybe soon to be ex? She may need a HBI and Biedrins just like his FT, fails to perform. Too Bad.
I'll bet his girlfriend is not liking...groin surgery.
He can always use the underhand method on her too.
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on Mar 16, 2010 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions
The title of this post made it sound much more interesting than it actually is.
Hitting 74 on the radar gun but hitting my spots.
by VidaWantsYourCar on Mar 14, 2010 12:49 PM PDT reply actions
Were you expecting to find out his anti-lock braking system was messing him up?
beans is a robot
by warriorsvictim on Mar 15, 2010 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
I should have said “funnier” than it actually it is. The title, to me at least, implied some sort of spoof; I wasn’t expecting an actual analysis of abdominal muscles. I guess I just associate the word “abs” with a lot of late-night infomercials and hackneyed fitness products which generate a lot of jokes in response.
Hitting 74 on the radar gun but hitting my spots.
by VidaWantsYourCar on Mar 15, 2010 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions
It's not an "either/or" question between the injury and confidence.
If your core hurts, it’s going to affect your motion. If it affects your motion, and you start missing shots, it’s going to affect your confidence.
Lots of players talk about how, coming back from injury, some of the biggest hurdles are mental. You have to learn to trust your body again. Once you develop the habit of “protecting” a part of your body against injury it can be hard to unlearn that habit.
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