Back to the Basics: Why the Big Fella Makes Free Throws Look Easy
The term Free-Throw Merchant has been floating around the league for a while now. It is now being attached to NBA Champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, after an amazing showcase during the 2024-25 season. After a display of legitimate and flopping calls that placed him at the line, many people were quick to call him a Free-Throw Merchant. SGA attempted an average of nine free throws a game and drained eight of them during the regular season. He would continue that efficiency to the playoffs, up to the point where the Thunder won the Larry O’Brien Trophy. I want to take a step back to the player who may have started the trend.
In the mid-2010s, for over eight seasons, Former Houston Rocket James Harden had the entire league in the palm of his hands. Leading the league in free throws made and attempted, with nine made for every 10 attempts. That’s the average over the course of his tenure in Houston, where he was labeled as a Free-Throw Merchant. The fans hated Harden at one point because of his blatant foul-baiting tactics, especially between 2017 and 2020. Of course, everything must continue, and the torch needs to be passed. One where a big man showed that being a Free-Throw Merchant is easier than it looks.
Now, the player I'm about to mention had a short reign of four seasons, where he held the mantle of being a Free-Throw Merchant. That’s 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid that you probably already know about. Anyway, Embiid took a step further than Harden with his attempts that took him to the line. Compared to Harden’s average of nine makes per 10 attempts. During the 2020-21 season, Embiid made nine free throws per 11 attempts. However, for the next three seasons, Embiid jumped to sinking about 10 free throws per 12 attempts. Currently, the 2023 MVP has an all-time career record of draining close to eight free throws per game. The only two guys that are close to that number, when rounded, are Hall of Famers Bob Pettit and Jerry West. Now, as for why Embiid makes it look easy, it’s because of his footwork. He modeled his game after Hakeem Olajuwon, who had one of the best footwork in history, especially as a big man. Get this, Embiid is the only modern big man to have over 3,700 free throws made, while hitting around 83% from the line. The only other modern center that is close to that number is three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, who is floating over 2,900 free throws made at an 82% clip. Many can call him a Free-Throw Merchant; many can criticize him for it. However, one thing is certain: respect needs to be earned, and Embiid has earned that. The art of Free Throws is a testament to what makes Embiid great.
