Shooting is an important aspect in the NBA, and in general, you don't want to be a player with one of the ugliest jump shots. Shooting is one of the most efficient ways to get points on the scoreboard. Shooting mechanics play an important role in becoming a deadly shooter.
However, that isn't always the case. While shooting mechanics are a great guide, some NBA players would add some unusual tweaks to their form to shoot at an effective rate. But while making some adjustments can be helpful, other players just don't follow the mechanics at all. In fact, some NBA players would showcase some of the most awkward jumpers.
From late releases to questionable shooting strokes, it's safe to say that these players didn't really have shooting the ball as their best asset. However, a select few would still make you think otherwise. After ranking the best jump shots in NBA history, let's take a look at the five ugliest jump shots in NBA history.
5. Shawn Marion
Any basketball player will certainly raise their eyebrows whenever they see a hooper shoot the ball with two hands. That was easily the case for four-time All-Star Shawn Marion. But despite having an awkward shooting form, Marion actually shot the ball at a decent clip of 33 percent from the 3-point line and 81 percent from the free-throw line.
Although Marion's two-handed shot is one of the ugliest jump shots, it leads to a high-arcing shot that found its way through the hoop at a respectable rate. In fact, Marion's shooting form is quite similar to a chest pass. However, shooting isn't being about aesthetically great, but what matters in shooting is the result of the shot.
4. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
With eight seasons in the NBA, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist didn't really translate his success at the college level to the professional ranks. However, NBA fans continue to remember him for his ultimately unorthodox shooting form. Just by looking at the picture alone, MKG's shooting mechanics were all out of whack. The stroke was questionable, and the release is quite late.
While MKG had one of the ugliest jump shots, it naturally led to paltry shooting numbers. In fact, the former second-overall pick only shot the three-ball at a measly 27 percent clip from downtown. As a result, it was one of the worst shooting forms in NBA history.
3. Kevin Martin
Speaking of unorthodox shots, it's safe to say that Kevin Martin's stroke was weird at best. Martin was one of the most underrated players in the NBA, but it was his stoke that got people's attention.
Martin's shooting form sees him bring the ball up from the hip. Furthermore, it was his awkward release point that will always make you think twice if it was going to go in. Nonetheless, it was quick enough for catch-and-shoot situations.
However, despite a weird stroke, Martin shot the ball at a solid clip. Martin was a 38-percent 3-point shooter in his career, which was a relatively lethal rate. Moreover, he's also an 87 percent career free-throw shooter. Martin also accumulated a true shooting percentage of 58.5 percent.
2. Joakim Noah
Although Joakim Noah was respected for many things, such as his hustle and defense, shooting wasn't one of them. When forced to shoot a midrange or to make a free throw, it's safe to say that fans dreaded his shooting stroke. While Noah successfully gets in position at times for an in-rhythm jumper, it's his awkward release that gets fans scratching their heads.
In an awkward motion, Noah releases the ball with his two hands. This causes the ball to spin sideways. But more importantly, this motion makes the ball go to an unpredictable direction, leading to airballs at times.
But surprisingly, Noah still made 70 percent of his free throws in his NBA career, which was still a decent rate. However, fans will still remember his open airballs from midrange with one of the ugliest jump shots.
1. Chuck Hayes
Standing at 6-foot-6, Chuck Hayes was an undersized center at best for the Houston Rockets. However, basketball fans ultimately remember him for having an awful shooting form. Although Hayes never really took perimeter shots, fans did witness his form whenever he trooped to the free-throw line.
It's safe to say that Hayes' shooting mechanics would get any player to raise their eyebrows. In other words, Hayes' release point was questionable at best, similar to how he incorporated a pump fake before releasing his shot.
This resulted not only in a late motion but also placed Hayes in an awkward push motion for the former Rockets center to release his shot. It's worth noting that Hayes also naturally shot poorly from the charity stripe at 62 percent.