New Orleans Pelicans: How Lonzo Ball can win Most Improved Player

New Orleans Pelicans: Lonzo Ball must improve his free-throw shooting

Free Throws

Part of the reason Lonzo Ball is hesitant to look for his shot near the rim is that he doesn’t want to get fouled. Why you might ask? Because he is one of the worst free-throw shooters in the league.

Lonzo shot just 56.6 percent from the line on 1.2 attempts per game, numbers that have to improve. Lonzo is a 6-foot-7 point guard so there is no excuse for only getting to the line 1.2 times per game.

Again, to get some perspective, Luka Doncic (who is also not a great free-throw shooter) got to the line 9.2 times per game last season. Lonzo is never going to be near that, but if he could get closer to five free throws per game it would help the Pelicans.

But only if he knocks them down.

It is inexplicable how a guy who can hit over 38 percent from the 3-point line can only hit 56.6 percent from the free-throw line where no one is guarding him.

Lonzo’s problems at the line have exacerbated his inability to finish at the rim because he is afraid to draw contact. A guy his size should be looking for contact, as Lonzo is bigger than just about everyone who defends him.

If Lonzo Ball wants to win MIP he needs to put his team in a position to win by being more aggressive and accurate near the rim and knocking down those free throws.