Free throws are one of the easiest and most important ways to score in basketball, not only to extend a team's lead, but also to turn the tide when it matters most. However, not all players can perform well at the free throw line, and some players even become the target of the opponent because they are too poor on the free throws, or miss out on winning the game.
In NBA history, there have been players who have missed a staggering number of free throws, not only squandering their own scoring opportunities, but also leaving fans feeling helpless and disappointed. Below, let's take a look at the top 10 players in NBA history who they are, as well as their free throw percentage and free throw conceded percentage.
10th place: Moses Malone.
Moses Malone is one of the greatest centers in NBA history, having been named to the All-NBA Team four times, won the MVP three times, won the championship twice, and was named the MVP of the Finals once. He is the only player in NBA history to have won MVP on three different teams and is one of the strongest rebounders in NBA history.
Malone's free-throw shooting percentage isn't low, averaging 76% in his career, but he also makes a lot of free throws because he can often draw fouls from opponents, averaging 81 time. This has also led to a high number of free throws conceded, with a total of 2,559 free throws conceded in his career, which ranks 10th all-time.
Ninth place: Tim Duncan.
Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward in NBA history, having been selected 15 times as an All-Star, 15 times as a All-NBA selection, 15 times as a All-Defensive Team selection, twice as MVP, five times as a Championship winner, and three times as MVP in the Finals. He is the heart and soul of the Spurs and one of the most consistent and well-rounded players in NBA history.
Duncan's free-throw shooting percentage has always been a technical shortcoming, averaging just 69 percent for his career6%, of which the worst season was only 599%。Due to Duncan's dominance on the inside, he also regularly gets free throw opportunities, averaging 5. per game in his career8 times. This also makes him miss a high number of free throws, conceding a total of 2,572 free throws in his career, which ranks ninth all-time.
8th place: Karim Abdul-Jabbar.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest centers in NBA history, having been named an All-Star 19 times, All-NBA 11 times, All-Defensive Team 11 times, MVP six times, a championship winner six times, and a Finals MVP twice. He is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and one of the longest-lived players in NBA history.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's free-throw percentage isn't low, averaging 72 for his career1%, the best of which reached 814%。But because Abdul-Jabbar has had a very long career, playing 20 seasons and playing in 1,560 games, he also made a lot of free throws, averaging six per game in his career. This has led to a high number of free throws missed, with a total of 2,592 free throws conceded in his career, which ranks eighth all-time.
7th place: Elvin Hayes.
Elvin Hayes is one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, having been selected 12 All-Star selections, 6 All-NBA selections, 2 All-Defensive Team selections, and one championship winner. He is one of the best scorers in NBA history and one of the best blockers in NBA history.
Hayes' free-throw shooting percentage has been a technical shortcoming, averaging just 67 percent of his career, including 54 in his worst season7%。Due to Hayes' activity on the offensive end, he also regularly gets free throws, averaging 6. per game in his career1 time. This also makes him highly free throws, conceding a total of 2,643 free throws in his career, which ranks seventh all-time.
Sixth place: LeBron James.
LeBron James is the greatest active player in the NBA and one of the greatest players in NBA history, having been selected 17 times as an All-Star, 16 times as a All-Star selection, six as a All-Defensive Team selection, four as MVP, four championships and four Finals MVPs. He is one of the most versatile and influential players in NBA history and one of the most dominant players in NBA history.
James' free-throw percentage isn't low, with a career average of 734%, with the best season reaching 78%. But due to James' toughness on the offensive end, he also often gets free throws, averaging 7. per game in his career8 times. This has also led to a high number of free throws conceded, with a total of 2,837 free throws conceded in his career, which ranks sixth all-time.
5th place: Walter Bellamy.
Walter Bellamy is one of the greatest centers in NBA history, having been named to the All-Star seven times, to the All-Star team twice, and to the Rookie of the Year once. He is one of the strongest rebounders in NBA history and one of the strongest scorers in NBA history.
Bellamy's free-throw percentage has been a technical shortcoming, averaging just 63 for his career2%, the worst of which was only 495%。Due to Bellamy's dominance on the inside, he also regularly gets free throws, averaging 7. per game in his career8 times. This also makes him highly free throws, conceding a total of 2,975 free throws in his career, which ranks fifth all-time.
Fourth place: Carl Malone.
Karl Malone is one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, having been named an All-Star fourteen times, a All-Star selection eleven times, a three-time All-Defensive Team selection, and a two-time MVP winner. He is the second-highest scorer in NBA history and one of the strongest iron men in NBA history.
Malone's free-throw shooting percentage isn't low, with a career average of 742%, the best of which reached 798%。But due to Malone's toughness on the offensive end, he also often gets free throws, averaging 9. per game in his career8 times. This has led to a high number of free throws missed, with a total of 3,401 free throws conceded in his career, which ranks fourth all-time.
Third place: Dwight Howard.
Dwight Howard is one of the greatest active centers in the NBA, having been an All-Star eight times, a All-Star selection eight times, a Five-Time All-Defensive Team selection, a three-time All-Defensive Player of the Year selection, and a championship-winning one. He is one of the strongest rebounders in NBA history and one of the strongest blockers in NBA history.
Howard's free-throw percentage has always been a technical shortcoming, averaging just 56 in his career5%, the worst of which was only 492%。Due to Howard's dominance on the inside, he also regularly gets free throws, averaging 8. per game in his career3 times. This also makes him highly free throws conceded, conceding a total of 4,094 free throws in his career, which ranks third all-time.
Second place: Shaquille O'Neal.
Shaquille O'Neal is one of the greatest centers in NBA history, having been selected 15 times as an All-Star, 14 times as a All-Star selection, three as Best Defensive Team selections, once as an MVP, four times as a Championship winner, and three times as MVP of the Finals. He is one of the most dominant and influential players in NBA history and one of the most destructive in NBA history.
O'Neal's free-throw shooting percentage has been a technical shortcoming, averaging just 52 percent in his career7%, of which the worst season was only 422%。Due to O'Neal's invincibility on the inside, he was also regularly fouled by opponents, averaging 10 per game in his career1 free throw. This has led to a high number of free throws conceded, with a career total of 5,317 free throws conceded, which ranks second all-time.
1st place: Wilt Chamberlain.
Wilt Chamberlain is one of the greatest centers in NBA history, having been named an All-Star thirteen times, a All-Star selection ten times, a two-time MVP, a two-time championship winner, and a Finals MVP once. He is one of the strongest scorers in NBA history and one of the strongest rebounders in NBA history.
Chamberlain's free-throw shooting percentage has always been a technical shortcoming, averaging just 51 in his career1%, with only 38% in the worst season. Due to Chamberlain's inability to solve problems on the offensive end, he also regularly got free throws, averaging 114 times. This has also led to a high number of free throws conceded, with a total of 5,805 free throws conceded in his career, which ranks first in history.