New Orleans Pelicans: Lonzo Ball Needs to be an 80% Foul Shooter

The New Orleans Pelicans stink at shooting free throws, especially Lonzo Ball, but Coach Gentry wants him to shoot more of them.

Alvin Gentry was mic’d up during the latest New Orleans Pelicans‘ practice and had plenty to say about the free throw shooting of Lonzo Ball.

The New Orleans Pelicans are 29th in the NBA in free throw percentage, shooting a miserable 72.9%, just ahead of the NBA-worst Knicks.

One of the big reasons for this is the Pelicans’ duo of Lonzo and Jrue Holiday, who shoot just 56.7% and 70%, respectively.

Holiday’s decline is baffling, as he has shot as high as 85.5% in his career but has been in a steady downslide since.

Lonzo’s 56.7% is actually an improvement, but is still terrible, especially considering he is one of the Pels’ primary ball handlers and is needed to close out games.

To put it in perspective, Shaquille O’Neal, one of the worst free throw shooters in NBA history, shot 52.7% for his career and had three seasons when he shot better than Lonzo’s current percentage.

Andre Drummond, the worst free throw shooter in NBA history, has also had three seasons that were better than Lonzo’s best season from the line.

Still, Alvin Gentry wants him to shoot more.

Gentry was mic’d up for the latest practice and had this to say to Lonzo Ball when it comes to free throws:

"“There’s absolutely no reason you shouldn’t be an 80% foul shooter…And with your dribble penetration, there should be no reason why you’re not shooting at least five foul shots a game.”"

New Orleans Pelicans: Lonzo Ball can be an All-Star

Both these numbers would be huge increases for Ball, who currently shoots 56.7% on only 1.2 free throw attempts per game.

Lonzo’s attempts don’t rank in the top 50 for guards in the NBA, which is ridiculous considering how much he handles the ball.

It also makes no sense considering Lonzo shoots a respectable 38.3% from three-point range and has improved his form dramatically.

This hasn’t yet translated to the free throw line, but it needs to if Lonzo wants to take the next step and join the NBA’s elite guards.

Not only is Lonzo potentially leaving four or five points a game on the table, but he often misses bunnies under the hoop because he is trying not to draw contact.

He’s not as aggressive because he’s afraid of going to the line, it’s that simple.

If Lonzo can increase his attempts to five a game and shoot 80%, he’ll be an All-Star next season.