Parents and young ballers ask me all the time to give them advice on how to get to the NBA, and I always tell them the same thing: As a basketball player who wants to be great, you have to live in the gym.
Every since the playoffs started, I’ve been going back to the gym at night to work on my free throws and get up some extra shots. And so far, I’ve been able to see the benefits of putting in all the extra work.
My percentage on my free throws is pretty good through the first four games of this series against Philly. In the playoffs, one or two points can make all the difference in winning or losing and that’s why I’m so locked in on trying to hit all of my free throws.
Hitting those two free throws at the end of Game 3 to tie it up was like a dream come true for me. Every athlete, especially big men like me, dream of going up there and winning a game at the line and quieting the crowd. To me, it’s actually easier to shoot free throws on the road than at home where it’s quiet.
On the nights that we have off I’ve been going to the gym, working on shooting 300 free throws and trying to build my confidence. Me and my friends go up there and somebody takes a count of how many I make. I’m really locked in on what I need to do to get better. I turn the music on and just shoot free throws for a couple of hours.
Even when I’m missing now, my shot looks the same, and that’s important. I’m not changing my shot, I’m not rushing at all. It’s been so unbelievable seeing myself shoot them better and I’ve been hitting them most of them. I’m getting a lot of reps and it’s paying off for me.
So let this be a lesson to all of you kids out there who are dreaming of someday playing in the NBA. You have to live in the gym and work on your game if you want to be the best. I know that has helped me in these playoffs.
Peace out. — DWIGHT
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Tags: 2009 NBA Playoffs, Dwight Howard Blog, Free Throws, Philadelphia 76ers
We’re totally 100% behind you!!
DH + over 71% from the line = unstoppable.
DH- I am behind you guys 100% and continue to work on your free throws and everything will be fine.
Yes we’ve noticed the improvement. Its time Van Gundy took notice too and ran the offense through the big man in the fourth quarter so we don’t have to be bailed out by great perimeter shooting (nice shot though Turk). Dwight’s dunk is still a higher percentage than a 3 pointer.
nice to see all your hard work finally paying off dwight-keep up the great job man and good luck to u guys tonight-ill be watching GO MAGIC
Good to know you are working on your own free throws and still giving kids the message to put in the work and improve their game, if they want to get in the NBA.
Did you read my comment from your last blog, Dwight? I was just praising you on the effort I knew you must have been putting in at the charity stripe. If they suspend you for game 6, I will be writing a letter to D-Stern, no worries. I wonder how many “inadvertent” elbows you catch each night and the second you get rough too, its the end of the world. Tony Dileo needs to be more of a man and not lobby to officials to get you suspended. I think we’re both happy that our coach is a class act, unlike some others across the league.
-Bno
Dwight, keep being amazing! I agree with Bno’s comments on the elbow thing. This is the NBA man, and especially now. It’s show time. You have to play to win and sometimes that means you get a little rough. Keep your cool -you guys gotta pull off the W so Orlando can move on to the next round. Good luck! bp
That’s the right mentality D-12! You are going to be the best big man in the league faster than you know.
Hi, Super post, Need to mark it on Digg
Hey Dwight, John here from Orlando. Excellent game last night vs the Cavs. We need to stay humble through the Cavs series. I’d hate to see you guys begin to feel your oats near the end only to have your you-know-whats handed to you vs. the lakers. Stay in the moment, win every play, you guys are finally going to bring a long awaited championship home to Orlando. The hard work is very evident, congrats on a big win last night!