The NBA's best shooters don't know why they are good at shooting...

Instagram: / scotshot3
In this video, I give you evidence that some of the very best shooters in the NBA have no idea how they shoot themselves. This leads them to give bad shooting advice that they heard from other people, despite the fact that they rarely implement this advice into their own shots.
Song Used:
Kontekst by Buddha
(www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6jK2...)

[@cr7neymar908]

They can’t really explain it because it’s 2nd nature to them

[@Kizip]

CR7NEYMAR cuz they put it work so it becomes second nature

[@JayzsMr]

Not just that but because the learned shooting by copying others instinctually. Think about how you learn how to walk or ride a bicycle? By first learning deep theory? I don't think so

[@iwnl_vale]

Finally someone that noticed this as well, it is crazy how guys that shoot so well give such bad advice out there.

[@michealblackson9070]

Canal do Vale Pro shot shooting system figured that out to and earlier

[@seibeats1901]

The reson he gave thoes tips to thoes ppl is because that is the basicks and it will help them shooter better at the start with more accuracy and then thay can tweek it a bit as they go on in to a form that is more commfortable for them.

[@practice11111]

I am a basketball player. Confidence is important but you only get confidence if you know that in practice (when no one is on you) you can get at least 80% of the shots made using that shot from that position on the floor. Once you know from experience that in this position on the floor I will sink 80% of my shots when I am open, then the game becomes very simple. How do I become open from that spot and make sure it happens. Get to that spot and be open and shoot. Getting open at that spot is relatively easy. You drive hard to the spot and over step it by one step and when the defender goes back - you go back and they you will have space (be open) and can make the shot. CONFIDENCE without the experience of knowing you can actually make those shots 80% of the time will get you nothing If you can't sink the shot 80% of the time in practice the odds are against you getting the shot off in a game (that is why even the greatest players only hit 50% of their shots. There is tremendous pressure on them to perform so they take shots that "they really don't HAVE or they have not gotten themselves open. If they played smarter (which they don't) their shooting percentage would be much better. But no one has been able to achieve better than 50-55% percent shooting in a career (Artis Gilmore I think was at 57%. But Bird, Magic, Jordan, Kareem, Wilt all were between 49% and 55%. Kobe and Maravich and Isaih were only 44-45. When someone says Kareem was unstoppable with an upstoppable shot it really means that no one blocked it but in reality he still missed almost 1/2 of his shots. Even Oscar Robertson missed 1/2 of his shots. They shoot way too much and they are not open. They all have a need to be "great" and show how great they are. If they all got rid of that mindset and just took shots they really had and only shot when they were open they would improve the game. The Celtics one so many championsh8ps simply because they understood the game better than all the other teams. No one on the Celtics of the 50s and 60s ever scored a lot of points because they wouldn't shoot unless they were open. They kept on passing the ball until they hit the open man. That is how you win basketball games and they won `11 of 13 championships.

[@Esoeso933]

Lol they don't want to leak all the sauce.

[@jamesho9670]

They lied.

[@youre100right3]

This tends to be true not just for basketball but SO many skill sets.

[@ShareefusMaximus]

Kyrie Irving is a terrific example of a successful thumb flicker.

[@yeaitsGod]

Steph too

[@writingwithsounds]

Kyrie also has a major thumb flick

[@zdmfg9335]

True

[@thebaby9094]

Secret to shooting? Practice

[@Drenew]

True

[@mojalo7682]

Kyrie doesn't shoot with his thumb. Its just involved in the shot

[@lk7831]

mo jalo That’s what thumbflick means, dumbass

[@_Maxten]

i feel like every shooter needs to know their own breakdown of how they shoot. because when you're cold, you're not gonna know what you're doing wrong and how to fix it

[@weksauce]

I was just thinking about this very thing yesterday. An extension of this idea, which applies to your other videos, is that not only might we not want to take advice from the best NBA shooters, we might not want to shoot like the best NBA shooters. What makes Steph Curry the best NBA shooter is his lightning-quick release, combined with slightly above-average range, and good-but-not-great consistency, but insane, never-before-seen, God-like consistency within the context of that range, that .3-second release, and a body and mind that can withstand the rest of NBA competition, including defense, where he averages a couple steals per game. Most people watching your videos will not play in the NBA. In their leagues, far better results might be had by drilling consistency and repeatability, even on below-average range, slow releases, and other mechanics that would differ from Steph's NBA-best shot. Most people don't need to withstand NBA-level competition for the minutes Steph does, and do not face NBA defenders blocking their shots, and don't have to contribute to defense at the level he does. For example, while Steph is the best NBA shooter, he's nowhere near as good of a college-line 3-pt shooter as 60-year-old Fred Newman, pictured here setting a world record for consistency: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKu8mWd5fKaVebc Obviously, most people would want a little bit more "competitive" of a shot, slightly faster release, slightly higher release than Fred Newman's, because his shot would get consistently blocked at most levels of competitive basketball. But even most D1 basketball players will never make the NBA, and would benefit from becoming a little more like Fred Newman than a little more like Steph Curry. Very few people play basketball in situations where a relatively low and slow release is a bigger relative problem than low consistency. Most basketball players would benefit more from going from 30% to 90% on wide-open college 3-pters, than from 30% to 44% with a .3-second release (Steph). As you said in a previous video, many pros are good shooters in spite of poor mechanics, compensating with repetitions (practice). Most people would benefit more from excellent mechanics and less practice.

[@brandonfigueroa892]

don't see how you can call steph curry "arguably" the greatest shooter ever , He is the greatest shooter ever its not even a debate smh

[@chasehazzard945]

Brandon Figueroa facts i hate hearing that debate, Curry is the best to ever do it

[@brandonfigueroa892]

Chase Hazzard EXACTLY👌🏼👌🏼

[@Filipe_Gomes10]

All respect to Curry he is one of my idols since 2012/2013 but maybe is not even as good as Klay.

[@brandonfigueroa892]

filipe leandro cmon get on somewhere with that ignorance 402 threes in a season bro cmon now

[@brandonfigueroa892]

Bill Cosby idk what that means

[@airjones45]

I think these are things they been told as kids and they repeat it without thinking about If they do it or not.

[@gfmdayvo5381]

Bottom line is it’s all about muscle memory

[@utkarsh4386]

Not necessarily. Laws of physics suggest that there is im fact the most effecient form to take. It is possible to be great with many forms but all forms have a ceiling and the best form has the highest ceiling. That ceiling cannot be ruptured by muscle memory alone.

[@bigwoke686]

Why does this channel not have a million subscribers yet. I need more knowledge on how to make more shots consistently. Keep up the great work👍👍👍

[@zmo1ndone502]

Your right about a lot of it. Shooting is ALL FEEL

[@readytorumblesports]

you have some of the most amazing and impressive videos ive seen on youtube in all categories. i would love you to learn boxing and analyze it. you are very knowledgeable and im sure you work HARD making these videos, thanks man.

[@gregllo424]

Omg I love your videos dawg! They are so informative! Finally a channel after pro shot went down 💪🏾🔥

[@luigidoni2071]

Totally love the way u organize the video and I believe u get to the point. Thanks

[@rorymacneil7070]

Touche! Hard to argue with the evidence. And really interesting how you contrast what they say with what they do.

[@mmd7773]

you have one of the best bball channels on youtube! keep it up this is great content!

[@rahatchoudhury175]

Yep. Great video proving how real shooters/scorers do it off of instinct and what feels natural to themselves. It’s great mechanics that can be applied and they don’t even know they do it. Everyone has their own shot!

[@yiebs3172]

I shoot like lillard and when I try to explain how to do it no one seems to understand and just can't do it so I guess it's just a comfort thing it's just easy to release the fingers let it rest on the palm then snap forward

[@jamesbycinthe]

They r giving advice that would work for the generic ball player...the "safe" advice. Some people have different techniques that work for them due to physical makeup, biomechanics or simply massive repetition that the casual baller doesn't do.

[@jalenad11]

Palm Gap is useful in creating good rotation. An in-game video with a defender in their face doesn't mean they're lying. At game speed, they don't have time to get things perfect and that's why they practice so much. In practice, Klay is square to the basket and so is Kevin but at game speed they differ in certain situations. Bottom line: you practice a way to create as little variation as possible which creates consistency. This will in turn make you as close as possible to the way you practiced when at game speed.

[@theofficialphil]

Really great video keep it up!!

[@TheTaz941]

I did the finger tip shooting one day when I went to high school... Changed my shooting fast but it's hard to get it right on shorter rims. But the ball arcs beautifully

[@leroyadlam12]

Everyone shoots differently and Curry is just explaining the proper way but he shoots differently from the proper way and including other basketball players

[@jayvenning1409]

That's why if they're having a off game they don't know why they're missing and going 0 for 11 like Klay and curry

[@iwishicouldlovemyself130]

Thats a good answer They just know and keep it consistent really well

[@danielleeeeeeeeeeeeeee]

Not necessarily true. In game, you need to adapt to certain circumstances. The players might be tired/fatigued, about to be contested, or even under a lot of pressure that they are forced to shoot in a rather less optimal form. You see some players are killers in practice, yet shoot poorly during the game. To demonstrate this, you need to actually analyze a large enough sample of their shots. You cannot just show a couple video clips to prove them wrong. But still, I agree that not every best shooter gives best advice, just like the best students are not always best teachers.

[@kingbucketz182]

I saw curry shoot 100 shots in practice he made 93 out of 100 3s. Not one time did he have space between the ball and his palm.

[@erikescamilla9985]

Great video man 👍🏻 there’s a lot of truth in what you are saying.

[@TheSonictheplayer]

Scot shot, what do I do with my shoulders when shooting a basketball? Please help, I don't know weather sticking them out, relaxing them, or pushing them backwards is correct.

[@marcusb.3038]

Stephen Curry's thumb flick is used to keep the ball in line with the basket(like a margin), whereas Kyrie's thumb flick is to add power.

[@mattalfieri5594]

Good video. Most players don't know why the shoot that well. Just look at what they say and then what they do. Actions speak louder than words.

[@anthonypetronis8096]

Great youtube keep up the good work man.

[@johonanandrewgomes7593]

It's like they don't want there secrets out lol. Magicians never reveal there secrets,future NBA legends don't give there secrets.

[@kv2948]

Can you do a video on KEMBA WALKER SHOOTING FORM ?

[@KL-uf4we]

Can you breakdown kemba walker shooting technique

[@javeiongresham4049]

Your looking at the extra motion going into their final framed shot. Their simply giving tips based off that final frame or the shot they strive for when they step out to the court

[@javeiongresham4049]

The form you have when you make 10 plus shots in a row versus the one that just goes in is your “ final frame” or “preferred shot”

[@skydaddy3377]

in game they dont think where are their fingers or stuff like that they shoot so they dont have time to place their legs or hands in position

[@Ghost-es3bo]

Technique never crosses a good shooter's mind. They just know that every shot will go in. Confidence is key.

[@rayjethrotomaquin1438]

The advise they were giving was the BASIC mechanics of shooting and not their actual mechanic. In time they adapt on what comforts them by adjusting some of the BASIC mechanics of shooting.

[@user-gg8js3fl5y]

Everybody has a different shot, as long as the follow through is good it means while you shoot you have a good flick. Lamalo ball starts on the side but ends up in. A good follow through

[@nathanvert767]

Being a shooter is just natural just like being a high flyer it just come naturally but you work at it to perfect it

[@NetanelColish]

Facts

[@deezghogh2552]

You should do a video on how B-dot shoots

[@saintwill4855]

4:13 did you see the clock m8??????? do you think he has time to worry about his feet in that scenario?

[@angelo1604]

William St. Clair that’s plenty of time to get off a wide open jump shot

[@sam.0021]

These players spend thousands of hours practicing. Shooting is 100% muscle memory for these guys and they don't even think about it. This is why most of them are unable to give advice as well.

[@johnstout2475]

My dad played from a kid Althea way to senior in college at DePaul and shoots amazingly with just his fingertips on the ball ad it has worked well for me too

[@ScotShotBasketball]

I never said that it prohibits you from being a good shooter, I only said that it isn't necessary to be a good shooter

[@cameronesparza1364]

the common shooting advice people give are normally wrong. balance, straights elbow, targeting, follow through. basically all you need

[@johonanandrewgomes7593]

Yes more videos

[@jurybounackoff3025]

John Calipary not only a college coach, but an elite shooting coach. Newbie advices is for players, who doesn`t understand that you must adjust shooting rules for yours only shoot. It is for newbies! If you master a perfect shooting shot, you can adjust technique for your phisycality.

[@justinnamuco9096]

Sometimes, the palm and off-thumb affect the direction of the shot by a great margin.

[@jackytsung8920]

when the coach was talkin bout thumb flick i think he meant to not use the thumb to guide ur shot instead of not using ur thumb at all

[@Drewza97]

You made a lot of good points. But good shooters worry about lot more than those little intricacies of shooting. Those basics are more important for beginners and the amateurs they were teaching.

[@wuwuisaac]

Damn I’m 35 and I’ve not been able to hold the ball really well on the rise for shooting, and I think that palm should never touch the ball may be why. I mma give it a try at practice tonight and see if that helps.

[@gianniskontos1696]

we are witnessing history shooting will be forever changed with videos like this one

[@mattiacassell6464]

So true man, I developed my form based off Curry and put my own tweaks on it so that it is most comfortable for me. I looked at the way people shot one motion shots not how people said to shoot and it has helped immensely. Great video.

[@ryanhargett3762]

That was good advice, all of it. Kevin Love had no chance to set his feet on that deep three because of the shot clock. Just because some shooters don't use what advice they're giving out doesn't make it bad advice.

[@antwan7]

technically, klay shoots with his shoulders perpendicular to the basket in the beginning, yet he turns a bit in mid air to release tension in his shoulders.

[@ScotShotBasketball]

He's definitely not perpendicular on an average open shot

[@zdmfg9335]

Hey Scot. Idk if you remember me or not, but I hope you see this comment because I have something that may be of interest to you. I've noticed that Lebron James' free throw routine is changed slightly. He spins the ball in his hand which is normal, but he simultaneously has his left foot far back intentionally. He then places his left foot into normal position, and shoots. Every time I have noticed him do this, he's made the shot. To me, it seems like a sense of rhythm that is created by doing this. Even though it's not the traditional "left, right" footwork for a right-handed player(at risk for stepping on the line), it may be more beneficial than a stagnant shot. I can't confirm whether he does this every time, or that it directly affects his free throw percentage. I do think that it may be something to keep an eye on, though.

[@yunan9610]

"I just do the whoop, then swish, that's it"

[@basketballplayerinprocess5702]

Im not completly sure but, Ray Allen also used to move his thumb after releasing the ball

[@rileyf501]

Break down lamelos jumper

[@brandonbaaar8432]

The fingertip thing is just wrong it's simple mechanics if the contact area is larger the more control you have for example try shooting a basketball with your palm and fingers then grab a baseball and hit a target. The larger the contact area in general the more control you have that's why pro baseball player can hit someone in the chest from across the diamond consistently and great shooters can hit deep shots. The footage shows this time and time again

[@jozefkumalao8167]

Curry was teaching the BEEF shot not HIS jumpshot

[@aidencampbell2441]

You are supposed to have the ball on your finger pads because it gives it rotation and more accuracy. When its resting in your palm you have less control.

[@Paid2Kill73]

Just because other Pro Athletes have success with ball on palm doesn't mean having ball on fingertips, or bridge of hand, is bad. There are definite techniques, like being square, that improve your consistency but there is always variation, especially in games.

[@Filipe_Gomes10]

Ok i understand this video and its great but you have to undestand that this guys are trying to give advices that work for them most of the times. Of course sometimes in pressure situations they do stuff that they are not suppose to do and they axely end up scoring but that doesnt mean that will work everytime and it doesnt mean that is the best way to it. I suggest to watch these shooters in wide open situations and see if they are consistent with what they do and what they say, not in pressure situations. Anyway great video i subscribed ;)

[@TheDAWinz]

filipe leandro lol nobody should square up to the basket on a jumpshot

[@ryleyyoung2236]

filipe leandro it’s cos people refer to textbook technique

[@douglasbeattie906]

filipe leandro You’re speaking about these athletes using different form to what they recommend like they rarely do it. They literally shoot different to what they say they do EVERY SINGLE TIME. Kevin Love is turned to the left EVERY time he shoots. Steph curry shoots off of his palm EVERY shot.

[@sonnelification]

they give tips for beginners... and its all basics.... they are in another level so they can do what they want

[@joketsu100]

sweet lover perfecting the basics is the way to go.....

[@isaacclark9825]

Good shooting can be summed up as technique plus repetition. Technique is only a part of the equation because there are bad techniques that you absolutely should not use. If you avoid those, then just about any technique will work from about 15 feet and in. Being a great outside shooter may be benefit from a few special techniques, but after that, the main input into shooting is practice, practice, and more practice. We've all seen folks with pretty awful techniques make a bunch of shots. Perhaps not with the consistency of Steph Curry, but with way better results than most.

[@pepa0998]

"...Had the re-up, see what's up my peeps, Toyota Deal-a-ton, had it cheap on the jeeps..."

[@nattosanto6033]

And Square you shoulder does not mean perpendicular to the rim

[@matthewking4331]

one thing you missed @Scot Shot Basketball , watch the angle curry slants his head allowing his dominant eye better vision of the center of the ring , and great old vid

[@KxngKUDA]

The biggest point of emphasis in shooting that remains consistent in anyone is the release. Even if it varies slightly, the higher release point and the flick of the wrist with emphasis of the ball coming off the shooting index and/or middle finger are the most important parts of the shot. Everything else is relative. But i always hated the whole "don't have the palm of your hand on the ball" myth. People fail to realize that as long as you release the ball from your hand properly, that "pocket" under the ball forms naturally every time. And its not forced and awkward, unlike if you purposely tried in the motion of a game to grab the ball to shoot with just your finger tips. Unless you have jordan or kawhi-esque hands thats basically impossible to comfortably do, and even still you lack all control of the ball to get a proper shot off. But let the coaches keep lying to you.

[@jemfeliciano4983]

It's just that not every mechanic works for everyone so what works for you may not work for everyone

[@abdullahiahmed5989]

The secret to being a good shooter is confidence, not technique. You gotta believe every shot you take is going in

[@cripplingcaffeineaddiction3847]

Abdullahi Ahmed confidence is important in basketball, other sports and life in general. If you don't believe you can do something you aren't gonna do it

[@ShnugFlug]

Definitely true, my teammate didn't wanna go before anyone in a drill because he was worried he was gonna be the first one to miss their layup, he ended up missing his layup.

[@gregcole3552]

confidence? no man. With proper technique and muscles, you don't need confidence, which is why the confident shooters with correct techniques become superstars.

[@KingSukuna]

Secrect to being a good shooter: Step 1: Step 2: Step 3: Step 4: Step 5: Step 6: Step 7: Step 94: Believe every shot is going in.

[@lYakuzal]

Having good technique that gives you consistent results builds up your confidence.

[@justinnamuco9096]

It's just balance, practice, and repetition.

[@JP-pp5ko]

@Scot Shot Basketball can you do Steve Nash shooting form breakdown

[@JP-pp5ko]

-thanks

[@gavinboyer6536]

My friends jump shot is garbage but still works

[@kriengsakwangdulyakiti8349]

Rest the ball at finger tips and base of fingers is technique that improve my shooting. I not care what NBA player do, I do what is best for me.

[@annescheck4038]

They call it pressure

[@Aureliants]

nice video man, bu i want to say this, its all about wanting it, making the fucking basket with all while swaging up your skills and technichs, man i want to ball so bad

[@Victor-oy8bj]

ray allen also has a thumb flick

[@delp7833]

Dude, I have actually studied shooting technique based on Pistol Pete's basketball homework videos (as well as Ray Allen, Carmelo and Kobe) and the basic point you are missing about the advice these players are giving is just that...it's basic advice. They are actually teaching the "basics" of shooting or the A, B, C....which makes sense...b/c I personally applied these basic ideas to "learn" how to shoot as a beginner. From there as I understood how the standard advice these players give affected my shot and accuracy, then I was able to explore what works for me...but shooting is very very difficult and I know I would not have gotten confidence to shoot as well as I do now, with out practicing the "standard" advice (square up, release at the top of your jump, look at the cylinder, etc). Think of it like this...at those players' levels they are "artists" and have achieved shooting mastery. Conversely, they're advice is geared towards unskilled people (mainly youth) who would not appreciate the nuances that go into becoming highly proficient at shooting, therefore they provide legitimate advice that happens to be generic which if practiced will develop into a custom and personal shooting style. They all shoot differently for a reason, but share similar basic advice b/c that's where you start...and from there, as with mastery of any skill, where YOU take it depends on your interpretation. I like your videos, but had to disagree with the idea that basic advice that is applied to practicing in the gym by yourself is bad b/c it doesn't translate 1:1 in a NBA game or for an advanced shooter's practice.

[@cod101wiiowenjaquithoj]

Whatever you do, do not trust the stuff you are told at Pro-Shot shooting clinics, they don’t understand shooting for crap. All they did was show you game film and tell you horrible techniques like “don’t use all your fingers to release the ball” and when I went to one of those pro-shot shooting clinics, one of the instructors was trying to show off his “amazing shooting skills” by shooting a very long three pointer and he asked for a ball so I handed him mine and he kept shooting with it and couldn’t make a three for jackshit and then blamed my ball as the reason why and so he switched out balls and then tried one of the clinic’s balls and he still couldn’t make the shot for jackshit. Like holy hell this guy was lame for making excuses as to why he couldn’t make a very long three.

[@Ax1oM11oo]

3:49 I have those same shoes.

[@fazexxxtentacion3731]

RASHTG you hype?

[@rgonzalo511]

I mean if I were to ask you what is the correct technique to walk what would you say, "you pick on leg up, then set it down"? This players have shooting down a tee. So for them explaining how to shoot would be like you trying to explain how to walk. I hope I make sense.

[@johnstout2475]

All those reasons going to Curry is just how his form is different from others

[@cjo7370]

just practice

[@iz_yaboii]

The shooting fog

[@yurhomi4478]

Yup.

[@jacobslinalx89]

They are teaching fundamental shooting. Nothing wrong with knowing the basics

[@DiscoverLINE]

2:50 confusedly 🤔

[@justinsomerville434]

Steph curry shoots off his finger tips, it’s just when you shoot off dribble there’s a second while your bringing the ball up and it’s in your palm then when you release you’re shooting off your finger tips.

[@fourperfectace9520]

That’s is how he shots why does he want to tell people how he shots the ball Then everyone will start shaking like Curry

[@spiianch]

What

[@SethKasso]

English please

[@douglasbeattie906]

21 Mklbh wtf

[@michealblackson9070]

He's saying why would curry tell y'all how to shoot like him because if he told us how to shoot like him everybody would be shooting like him now.

[@ryleyyoung2236]

21 Mklbh nah man form doesn’t always work for certain people you kinda adapt to ur form therefore what the video says is true

[@oORegularKevOo]

The players are explaining the ideal ways to shoot.. u can't compare reactive in game scenarios to what your ideal would be unguarded and alone.

[@cod101wiiowenjaquithoj]

That’s why I only trust Larry Bird shooting tutorials since Larry bird did what he said in his shooting tutorials in game

[@Gabskie]

If you shoot without the thumb it is hard

[@brandonrhodes3266]

It's a like a scientist trying to explain to a normal person in detail about black holes. The scientists know that you won't understand it all unless he/she spends alot of time to help you understand. NBA players just have the knowledge of instant reaction combined with their shooting form they have developed

[@Viilap]

I think its an excuse for some people to learn good shooting technique I watched steph curry's masterclass and it took me 3 to 4 hours to learn only technique alone without shooting and then It took me the next 15 hours practicing shooting to implement this at first it damaged my shooting but after this time it improved a lot. also in the game u don't have a time to make sure if u doing everything correctly u jus gotta shot

[@nickthorpe7567]

Space between the ball and the hand originated from teaching kids how to shoot. They have smaller hands and can’t hold the ball properly. I stop teaching this in high-school ball 👍🏼

[@borislavpetkov9013]

the first tip curry gave is mainly to tell people to use their fingers when they shoot from deep . Curry is one of the greatest 3pt shooters of all time of course he sometimes does something different because he is comfortable enough.

[@aaronsmith9783]

The thumb thing is true. I've studied Stephs shot form for months almost a year now I've hard core studied it. He doesn't use his thumb to push the ball if u do that u will not be a consistent shooter.

[@mikiasberhane9430]

I don't copy nba player shot but just mine and make it better