NPR

Why Rick And Canyon Barry Stay True To The 'Granny Shot'

NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry and son Canyon Barry talk about the tradition of underhand free throws. Rick swears by its accuracy, but players hardly ever use it.
Canyon Barry shoots a free throw against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers. Canyon shoots underhand like his father Rick Barry.

No one in the history of the NBA has been a louder proponent of the underhanded free throw than Rick Barry. The unorthodox technique — sometimes known as the "granny" — earned the Hall of Famer the title of one of the best free throw shooters of all time.

Barry swears by its accuracy, but players hardly ever use it.

"I really truly can't comprehend the aversion people have to trying something that could be very effective

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