NBA legend offers surprising fix for Knicks’ biggest Finals concern originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The New York Knicks are four wins away from a championship. They also have a problem that opponents will almost certainly try to exploit. Center Mitchell Robinson has never been known for his free-throw shooting, but heading into the NBA Finals, the issue has become even more complicated. Robinson recently underwent surgery to repair a broken pinky finger on his shooting hand and is expected to wear a brace while attempting to play through the injury.
That development caught the attention of one NBA Hall of Famer who believes he has the perfect solution. And it’s one that most modern players refuse to consider.
Rick Barry thinks Mitchell Robinson should go underhanded
Long before Steph Curry was revolutionizing shooting, Hall of Fame forward Rick Barry was making free throws look automatic. Barry shot 89.3 percent from the foul line during his NBA career and remains one of the greatest free-throw shooters in league history. His signature underhand technique, often called the “granny shot,” became almost as famous as his scoring ability.
Now Barry believes Robinson should adopt it immediately. In an interview with CBS Sports, Barry didn’t hesitate when asked about Robinson’s struggles.
“He should have switched to shooting underhand before he broke his finger,” Barry said.
Barry believes the broken pinky actually makes the case stronger. According to him, the underhand motion minimizes the importance of the injured finger because the ball is guided primarily by the other fingers and the motion of both hands working together.
“The pinky has nothing to do with it,” Barry said. “It would be something he could do.”
The numbers paint a brutal picture
It’s easy to understand why Barry sees an opportunity. Robinson has struggled at the line throughout his career, making just 50.8 percent of his regular-season free throws. The postseason numbers are even worse.
Entering the NBA Finals, Robinson has made only 13 of his 43 free-throw attempts during the 2026 playoffs, good for just 30.2 percent. At times, opponents have intentionally fouled him rather than allowing easy baskets around the rim.
Barry, meanwhile, shot 87 percent from the free-throw line during his playoff career. The gap between the two players is massive. With the Knicks preparing to face either the Spurs or Thunder in the Finals, every possession will matter. A few missed free throws could swing a game or even a championship.
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The real obstacle isn’t mechanics
Barry doesn’t believe learning the technique is the difficult part. He told CBS Sports that Robinson could potentially become comfortable with the shot in just a few days of practice.
The bigger issue, according to Barry, is pride. For decades, NBA players have largely avoided underhand free throws because of the perception attached to the style. Many players would rather struggle conventionally than risk being mocked for shooting like Barry did.
That reasoning has always frustrated the Hall of Famer.
“Throw your ego in the freakin’ closet,” Barry said. “It’s all about how often you can make it.”
Whether Robinson ever considers the idea remains to be seen. But with the NBA Finals approaching and his shooting hand less than 100 percent, Barry’s suggestion is likely to spark plenty of debate. It might sound old-fashioned. Then again, making free throws never goes out of style.
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