From his early years in the NBA, Karl-Anthony Towns had a very defined ritual every time he stood at the free-throw line. His routine included a deep breath, two dribbles, and a squat before shooting. During his first four seasons, that method yielded good results, achieving an accuracy percentage of over 80%. However, in an unexpected turn for someone so attached to his habits, Towns decided to make a change in his technique a few years ago.
The motivation for this transformation came from observing one of his greatest inspirations in basketball: Kobe Bryant. Towns carefully studied how Kobe minimized energy expenditure when shooting free throws and realized he could optimize his own style. Inspired by the Lakers legend's approach, Towns decided to adjust his mechanics at the line to adopt a more efficient method, abandoning the squat and simplifying his movement.
NBA 2K
The change was not easy, but Towns found an unexpected tool to help perfect his new routine: the video game NBA 2K. According to Towns himself, he spent hours playing and practicing in the simulator to capture the essence of Kobe's style. "You think I'm joking? I'm dead serious," the player commented, emphasizing how this virtual practice was crucial to solidify his new free-throw method.
Bryant's influence, coupled with Towns' meticulous work on his technique, demonstrates his commitment to improving every detail of his game. With an open mindset and an uncommon approach, Towns continues to evolve as a player, willing to modify his own habits in pursuit of perfection, even in the most routine aspects of the game.
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, ¡Karl-Anthony Towns mejoró sus tiros libres copiando el estilo de Kobe Bryant en el NBA 2K!