Derrick Rose and the Free Throw Attempts Tragedy

[Jason Rubin]

http://espn.go.com/nba/statistics/player/_/stat/scoring-per-game/sort/avgPoints/year/2011/seasontype/2

Last night Derrick Rose went to the free throw line zero times despite having 17 shot attempts in the paint.  He was hacked constantly and the referees just didn't call a foul.  This has been the story of Rose's career and has been especially bad this year.  He's been actively trying to draw contact to get to the line - and he does, indeed, draw contact.  But he still does not get to the line like he should.

Derrick Rose is currently third in the NBA in scoring at 25.7 ppg.  Of the top ten scorers in the league who take 3PA's regularly, Rose is 3rd in 3P% behind Nowitzki and just barely behind Melo.  However, he takes twice as many 3PA's than either guy.

The scariest part about this is that of the top ten scorers in the league, Rose only gets to the free throw line 5.6 times a game.  That is lowest of all the top ten scorers in the league.  The two guys averaging more FTA's per game, Durant and Kobe, get to the line 8.9 and 8.3 times per game respectively.

This begs the question, if Rose eventually gets the respect he deserves at the free throw line, is he effectively the best offensive player in the game right now?  He's also averaging 8.1 apg (which will probably go up as Carlos Boozer gets acclimated to Chicago's system).  One thing is for sure, he is a scary offensive player right now.

[Keyser Soze]

[sparklespice]

what does his lack of free throws have to do to his 3 point percentage?

[cselby]

Maybe he should get to the line more.

[xduckshoex]

Every time I've watched Rose I've generally thought he avoided contact.  It's nice of greenwing to provide some stats indicating that I'm right.

[Jason Rubin]

what does his lack of free throws have to do to his 3 point percentage?

It shows that he's scoring everywhere on the floor and adds to the argument that he is currently the best offensive player in the league.

[Jason Rubin]

Maybe he should get to the line more.

Maybe the refs should call more fouls on his opponents.  Seriously, 17 shot attempts in the paint last night and not a single foul call?  That's ridiculous.

[Jason Rubin]

Every time I've watched Rose I've generally thought he avoided contact.  It's nice of greenwing to provide some stats indicating that I'm right.

Rose doesn't usually avoid contact.  He looks to draw contact.  How many games have you seen him play in this season?

[xduckshoex]

Sorry, my post should have said:

Congrats to greenwing for uncovering the massive NBA referee conspiracy against one player!

[steve]

Sad Trombone

[Keyser Soze]

GAYFAG

[[Jeremy]]

[xduckshoex]

But seriously, if that is Derrick Rose looking to draw contact he really needs to learn how to draw contact.

[Jason Rubin]

But seriously, if that is Derrick Rose looking to draw contact he really needs to learn how to draw contact.

I don't think that's the issue.  He is drawing contact, but refs are not calling it.  From the explanations I've been hearing, refs have been telling people that Rose is so strong that because he doesn't budge much when he gets hit they don't think contact is being made.  And since the play is over so quickly they don't see it happen.  I think those are poor excuses but that's what I've been hearing.  For instance, there was literally a play last night where in slow motion you could see Rose get hit literally five times during a slash to the hoop and not a single time was a foul called.

[Stationary Traveller]

Weren't you connected? Make them an offer they can't refuse.