Jeremy Sochan debuts one-handed free throws in Spurs’ win
HOUSTON (BVM) – Prior to the team’s game against the Houston Rockets on Monday, San Antonio Spurs rookie forward Jeremy Sochan had struggled at the free throw line. His 45.8% from the line heading into the game was among the worst in the league, so the rookie decided to try and do something about it.
When he went to the line against the Rockets, Sochan debuted his new free throw technique–shooting one-handed. The results were mixed to say the least as he went 1-for-4 on the night, actually bringing down his seasonal free throw percentage to 42.9%.
Jeremy Sochan is struggling from the free throw line this season (45.8%), so he’s now attempting something new: one-armed free throws.https://t.co/RiLgckgYK0 pic.twitter.com/GPfyQMGjSo
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) December 20, 2022
Of course, this came with a lot of attention, mostly negative on social media. Jokes were not hard to come by.
Tell me you're tanking without telling me you're tanking.
Jeremy Sochan: pic.twitter.com/3Pl3wXnbsB
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) December 20, 2022
Jeremy Sochan is shooting free throws one-handed now 😳
Bold strategy. pic.twitter.com/2yf0oTNceK
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) December 20, 2022
Looks a bit familiar 🤔 pic.twitter.com/BEoTJ3G9nB
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 20, 2022
While the jokes came fast and furious, the Spurs were actually able to secure the victory thanks in no small part to Sochan who finished the night with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a block while shooting 62.5% from the field.
SOCHAN WITH SLAM 💥💥 @JeremySochan pic.twitter.com/chOn0us8rP
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) December 20, 2022
It was Sochan who got the last laugh following the game, responding to the large number of critics who came out to mock his new free throw routine.
I love this… Everyone keep the same energy! 🥰😈
— Jeremy Sochan (@JeremySochan) December 20, 2022
While Sochan’s free throws were a surprise, they are far from the first time NBA fans have seen one-handed free throws. As many people were quick to point out that a former Spurs player, Dennis Rodman, had also once used one-handed free throws in an attempt to improve his own dreadful free throw percentage.
Jeremy Sochan y Dennis Rodman 😳 pic.twitter.com/4kKL9kY6iC
— Pasion Basket (@PasionBasketNBA) December 20, 2022
Other players have used the technique too, though that was mostly due to injuries during the game.
Perhaps the most widely known example of one-handed free throws came from Don Nelson. The forward played in the NBA for 14 seasons from 1962-76 mostly with the Boston Celtics and is known for having terrible free throw form.
However, despite how ugly his shot looked, Nelson was actually a rather efficient free throw shooter. Over the course of his NBA career, Nelson shot a career 76.5% from the foul line, proving that it’s not the way the form looks that matters, just the results.
Don Nelson somehow made 2,864 free throws in his NBA career despite looking like someone’s uncoordinated dad trying out Pop-A-Shot at your local Chuck E. Cheese … pic.twitter.com/2hQr4DUfFL
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) September 14, 2019
While Sochan will likely continue to be ridiculed if he continues to use his one-handed free throw, if he shows improvement in the area, he may be the one who ends up getting the last laugh.
