A "pure" shooter does not always translate into a good scorer because the athlete may be strong with a jump shot and make a high percentage of two point field goals and, of course, make a high percentage of three point field goals including some from very deep on the floor.

However, the mechanics of shooting a jump shot are vastly different from the shooting mechanics of a consistently high percentage free throw shooter, although there are many examples of both great free throw shooters and great "outside" shooters, like JJ Redick.

A great scorer is always more dangerous to defend than a great shooter because even if the great scorer does not have his "A" game for field goal shooting, he will adjust his game to drive to the basket for layups and close in shots as well as to draw fouls and to make 3 points in the "old fashioned way" of scoring a basket for two points and getting one more shot for a free throw.  Indeed, a great scorer who draws fouls can tighten up the game at the high school and college level because he can put the other team's best players into foul trouble and they may need to back off on defense which makes it easier for the scorer to make plays because the defense wants to avoid fouling out of the game or getting a fourth foul and limiting their playing time.

Additionally, a great scorer like James Harden can end up with a high number of free throws, upwards of 20 or more attempts in a game, on the way to putting up a very high point game of 40 points or more which is something that Harden has done this season at a record setting pace. That can affect the rhythm of the game in some subtle ways.

Being a good free throw shooter can add "easy points" to a high scorer's total.  Plus, the time to shoot free throws gives the high scorer a mini-time out of sorts and permits him to catch his breath especially if he is shooting two free throws.

The best way to improve free throw shooting is to make it part of the overall team culture and practice it appropriately and not treat it as a "boring" exercise or something extra that needs attention when there is some extra time.  There are a lot of ways to win basketball games and free throw points can contribute to basketball fundamentals and a push for team wins.

A great shooter can work to improve his scoring average and overall offensive game if his free throw shooting percentage is not as high as might be expected given the success with shooting field goals.  Likewise, a great scorer can squeeze out some additional points by making some tweaks to draw more fouls and to make more foul shots as part of his overall game.  It may not be as glamorous as a long three or a monster dunk, but clutch free throw shooting can similarly break the momentum of an opponent and seal a victory as part of an overall team game plan.

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McTaggart is available for a fee plus expenses, to speak at basketball banquets/events as well as to provide instruction/consulting regarding free throw shooting.