Former NBA sharpshooter Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is being coined the league’s newest shot doctor.
He’s worked with a wide range of NBA players, including Markelle Fultz, Victor Oladipo and DJ Augustin.
According to Kristian Winfield of NY Daily News, Abdul-Rauf has set up an offseason routine at Purchase College’s athletic facility for Dennis Smith Jr. to practice his jump shot.
Abdul-Rauf has Dennis Smith Jr. focused on consistently draining threes and fighting through exhaustion.
“I’m tired, man,” Smith said via NY Daily News. “I could go to sleep right now. Sweat, wet and all,” he added. “But that’s the whole point of it. Getting tired and continuing to press as hard as you can. I’ve been doing it all summer.”
Abdul-Rauf has been watching DSJ’s jumper closely and pointed out a couple key movements he thinks can help improve his shot immediately.
“We talk about taking away unnecessary stress and getting rid of wasted energy,” Abdul-Rauf said. Specifically, Abdul-Rauf noticed that DSJ’s jumper relies too heavily on his upper body with very little flick of the wrist. He wants DSJ to get his full body involved in each jump shot – making one consistent, fluid motion.
“The more you use your body and you’re going up and shooting it either right at the top or right before you get to the top, your momentum is gonna make that shot more effortless…you’re not gonna have to use as much energy, and you’re going to have more distance,” Abdul-Rauf said.
Smith and Rauf have been working out five days a week, according to Winfield of NY Daily News.
While these practice drills clearly can’t adequately prepare you for the pressure and intensity of a real game, it’s good that a shot doctor has been working on Smith’s jumper all summer.
Smith wants to be a better shooter and feels he can be, that’s why his agent assigned him to such a rigorous practice schedule with Abdul-Rauf.
Apparently his flick of the wrist is improving, but currently sits as more of a twist than a flick. Even so, his jumper looks improved according to Winfield.
Whether or not DSJ can put it all together on the court this season remains to be seen – but he absolutely deserves the chance to do so.
Dennis Smith Jr. averaged 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Knicks last season in 34 games played.
If you forgot just how cold Mahmoud was, check out his highlights below:
