Golden State Warriors legend Rick Barry is hopeful point guard Stephen Curry can break his franchise record of 60 straight free throws made in the very near future.
Curry has gotten off to an unforeseen aggressive start from the line, netting double-digit makes in three of his first four games of the season, now totaling 50 made free throws during his first six games of the campaign. Adding his last two in a row from the NBA Finals back in July, Curry now sports a career-high 52 straight makes, which he could soon surpass in the next few games.
“Hell yeah, I’m rooting for him,” Barry told Ron Kroichick of The San Francisco Chronicle.
Barry was known as one of the most unorthodox free-throw shooters with his famous underhand style, but he is also one of the most accurate — sitting one spot behind Curry (90.31 percent) in the all-time free-throw percentage list at 89.98 percent for his career.
The 73-year-old noted what it takes to shoot them at such a high clip.
“First of all, he has the one thing you have to have: great confidence,” Barry said in a phone interview Friday. “He also has great form and technique. I’m not shocked he’s doing this. His career free-throw percentage is awesome, and he’ll probably end up being the No. 1 guy by the time his career is over.”
Curry has been brilliant from the line this season, but has struggled from the perimeter, shooting an unusual 33.8 percent from deep, despite his usual volume attempts at 10.8 per game. Barry; as always, is not only looking at the first six games of the season, but at the bigger picture.
“He’s the greatest long-distance shooter in the history of the game. I mean, serious distance,” said Barry. “The stat that blew me away was two years ago, he shot 48 percent for the season from 28 feet and beyond. That’s insane! There are guys who can’t shoot 48 percent from 10 feet.”
The Hall of Famer cautioned that the best thing for Curry will be to go about his business as usual and let him stay zoned-in, now that he is aware of his streak.
“Steph will probably be as mad as hell when he misses that first one,” Barry said. “I was always upset with myself for not making 100 in a row. I was really pissed when I missed that 61st free throw.”
Asked if there was any advice for the 29-year-old floor general, the Golden State legend answered with his usual wit.
“I wouldn’t say a word to him about it,” Barry said. “Just let him go about his business, wish him good luck and hope they win.”
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