NBA Rumors 2013: Andre Drummond to Shoot Free Throws Underhanded Like Rick Barry?

Andre Drummond had a promising rookie season for the Detroit Pistons, but the former University Of Connecticut standout still has a lot of room for improvement, especially when it comes to free-throw shooting.

Drummond, the ninth overall pick of the Pistons in the 2012 NBA Draft, was efficient on both ends of the floor in his first season in the league.

The 20-year-old center averaged 7.9 points in 60 games on an impressive 60.8 percent shooting from the field, while also tallying 7.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. However, one glaring weakness is his free-throw shooting as he only posted a measly 37.1 percent clip from the 15-foot line.

Drummond vowed to work on his free-throw shooting moving forward, but ESPN's Ethan Strauss made an interesting suggestion to the 270-pound center.

Strauss, a self-confessed fan of the 6-foot-9-inch center, wrote an open letter to Drummond, suggesting that the Mount Vernon native should try shooting free-throws under-handed similar to style of Hall Of Famer Rick Barry.

Strauss believes the technique could be more effective for Drummond, arguing it would stop opponents from intentionally fouling him. 

Strauss points out that until Drummond improves his free-throw shooting, or until the league makes a new rule to address the "hack-a-player" strategy, opponents will settle with Drummond's 37.1 percent free-throw shooting instead of his 60.8 percent field goal shooting.

"This is just something to consider if you haven't already. Take it or leave it. If your free throw shooting doesn't improve like Joe Dumars hopes it will, please consider shooting them underhand. Of all the players who have been in this position, you're uniquely suited to the dramatic style change," Strauss wrote.

"You're unique, funny, and increasingly popular among fans, who see you as an antidote to the buttoned-down athlete cliché. If you adopt something as retro-cool as the underhand free throw, fans will love you for it. Make it your signature," Strauss added.

Strauss' suggestion stirred discussion among NBA fans, particularly Pistons fans, but Drummond quickly doused cold water on the rumor, saying that he has no plan of shooting under-handed free-throws - at least next season.

"Let me make this clear.... I'm not shooting free throws underhand.. #Relax," Drummond posted on his official Twitter account.