View the original article to see embedded media.
We are currently in the era of basketball where offense rules above all, as teams and players want to hoist up as many good-quality shots as possible. The analytics of the game has convinced every NBA team that 3 pointers and shots around the rim are the most efficient shots. Of course, generating easy points from the free-throw line has never been more encouraged since referees are more likely to blow the whistle on possessions.
Offensive players are not only protected but encouraged to show off their flashy style of play. That is why, when players attack the rim, a foul will be called most times. While that is a testament to the league’s desire to have more points on the board, it is also down to the offensive players’ brilliance at reading defenses.
But throughout NBA history, foul calls have been a large part of the NBA game and only the most dominant players have been able to earn whistles in any era. That is why we have collected the most unstoppable players over the last 40 years who have attempted the most foul shots per season. Some names on this list might surprise you, but there will be some expected names on there as well since their legacies as unstoppable figures in the paint are well known.
Can you guess which players have attempted the most shot attempts during their primes? Without further ado, here is the ultimate list of the NBA's most dominant free-throw merchants since the 1983 season.
600 - 788 (FTM - FTA), 76.1 FT%, 78 Games Played
One of the most dominant paint players of all time, superstar Moses Malone was a force during the 1983 season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Moses averaged 24.5 PPG during the season, but he also attempted close to 800 free throws as well. Anytime a center shoots over 75% from the stripe, that will almost always work for his team’s success and that is why the big man won Finals MVP at the end of the year.
813 - 946 (FTM - FTA), 85.9 FT%, 79 Games Played
Adrian Dantley did it again in 1984 for the Utah Jazz, posting 30.6 PPG and winning his second scoring title. The forward was exceptional at getting to the line, far better than he did in 1982. He attempted 946 free throws during the year, over 100 more free-throw than two years prior. As usual, the superstar managed to make a high percentage of them as well.
737 - 904 (FTM - FTA), 81.5 FT%, 79 Games Played
Moses Malone once again topped the charts with the most free throws made in an NBA season when he drained 737 of 904 foul shots which was good for 81.5%. The big man averaged 24.6 PPG during the year, nailing 46.9% from the field and making his 8th straight All-Star Team in the NBA. At 6’10” and 215 lbs, there was no wonder why defenders had a tough time dealing with the superstar big man.
630 - 796 (FTM - FTA), 79.1 FT%, 76 Games Played
Adrian Dantley’s scoring resume is truly impressive because he put up at least 28 PPG for 6 out of 7 straight seasons with the Utah Jazz. In 1986, the forward once again made the most free throws in the league by getting 630 free points at the stripe. At age 30, Dantley was still in his prime on a physical level and was clearly at his best on the offensive end.
833 - 972 (FTM - FTA), 85.7 FT%, 82 Games Played
Once the 1987 season started, it was Michael Jordan’s time to dominate the offensive side of the court. MJ returned to the court following his injury-ridden second season, posting a career-high 37.1 PPG which was good enough for the player’s first scoring title. Jordan got to the line for 11.9 FTA per game, giving him 10 points a game from the stripe on average.
714 - 951 (FTM - FTA), 75.1 FT%, 80 Games Played
Michael Jordan’s 1988 season was one of the greatest years for any superstar player because the shooting guard won MVP and Defensive Player of the Year while also making the most free throws in the league with 723. But Charles Barkley came second with 714 total makes and attempted 91 more shots from the line than Jordan (860). A powerhouse player who drew a lot of fouls, Barkley was on another level during 1988 in terms of forcing defenders to commit fouls rather than give up easy baskets.
703 - 918 (FTM - FTA), 76.6 FT%, 80 Games Played
Even when Michael Jordan was in the midst of winning scoring titles, including the 1989 season, Karl Malone was etching his name in NBA lore as an all-time great scorer. The Mailman attempted over 900 foul shots, going a decent 76.6% from the line. His point guard, John Stockton, was effective in getting the ball to the power forward in positions where defenses were forced to foul or give up an easy bucket.
696 - 913 (FTM - FTA), 76.2 FT%, 82 Games Played
There will be a pattern with Karl Malone attempting a ton of free throws because the 1990 season was the second-straight time that the Jazz power forward made the most foul shots. The Mailman finished second in scoring in the game behind Michael Jordan, as he put up 31.0 PPG of which 8.5 points came from the stripe on average.
684 - 888 (FTM - FTA), 77.0 FT%, 82 Games Played
For the third straight year, superstar Karl Malone led the NBA in foul shots by nailing 684 out of 888 foul shots. The Mailman shot 77.0% from the line, his usual numbers that were decent enough to give the Jazz’s star an average of 29.0 PPG. Malone was as efficient as ever during the year, and his shooting splits were indicative of the superstar’s excellent season which marked his 4th straight All-Star Team.
673 - 865 (FTM - FTA), 77.8 FT%, 81 Games Played
Right in his prime at age 28, Karl Malone was a force on the court by posting 28.0 PPG on 52.6% from the field. One of the best offensive players on the court, The Mailman was efficient from the field but also from the stripe. Malone made 673 of 865 foul shots, mainly because his ability to roll to the rim from John Stockton's passes was almost impossible to stop without fouling.
619 - 836 (FTM - FTA), 74.0 FT%, 82 Games Played
Karl Malone’s 6th straight All-Star season once again came as a result of earning easy points from the stripe. With John Stockton pulling the strings from the point guard spot, Karl Malone was able to generate easy baskets from the line by rolling to the rim and assuming position in the post. Karl averaged 27.0 PPG on 55.2% from the field, but he only shot 74.0% from the stripe. Even if his foul-shooting was not great, Malone still led the league in foul shots made for the 5th time in his career.
693 - 925 (FTM - FTA), 74.9 FT%, 80 Games Played
David Robinson was easily one of the top-10 players in the world during the 1990s, as every year he either put up Hall of Fame quality numbers or captured individual accolades. The Admiral led the NBA in scoring during the 1994 season, which earned him his first and only scoring title. The big man averaged 29.8 PPG on 50.7% from the field, and his 74.9% from the stripe was good enough for the Spurs’ star to nail almost 700 free throws over the year.
455 - 854 (FTM - FTA), 53.3 FT%, 79 Games Played
Shaquille O’Neal, rather hilariously, struggled from the free-throw line for the majority of his career. He was always known as a star who splits his free throws, and that was also evident during the 1995 season as a member of the Orlando Magic. Even if Shaq shot 854 times from the stripe, he only made 455 and still averaged 29.3 PPG to lead the league in scoring.
626 - 823 (FTM - FTA), 76.1 FT%, 82 Games Played
For the 7th straight season, David Robinson made the All-Star Team and also put up 25.0 PPG from the field on 51.6% from the field. The big man did not lead the league in scoring, Michael Jordan did, but Robinson still made the most foul shots from the field thanks to his all-time great physique and power.
521 - 690 (FTM - FTA), 75.5 FT%, 82 Games Played
The Mailman resumed his position as the most fouled player in the game because he went 521-690 from the stripe which was good for 75.5%. Karl Malone was automatic from the floor, averaging 27.4 PPG on 55.0% from the field but he managed to attempt at least 8 free throws per game during the year. Malone also captured his first MVP award with the Utah Jazz.
628 - 825 (FTM - FTA), 76.1 FT%, 81 Games Played
Averaging 27.0 PPG during the 1998 season, Karl Malone once again led the league with 628 foul shots made in 825 attempts. The Mailman, even at age 34, was a powerhouse and was able to get to the stripe with ease no matter who was defending him. There is a reason why Malone is currently 3rd all-time in free throws made, and his ability to force refs to blow the whistle is one major factor.
269 - 498 (FTM - FTA), 54.0 FT%, 49 Games Played
Only one year away from winning his first NBA championship and kickstarting a legendary dynasty, Shaquille O’Neal was a force during the lockout-shortened season. The dominant center was fouled a ton of times, as he attempted almost 500 free throws in only 49 games played. As expected, Shaq shot under 55% as he made 269 but still averaged 26.3 PPG.
432 - 824 (FTM - FTA), 52.4 FT%, 79 Games Played
Shaq’s 3-year span of unstoppable dominance started in 2000 when he led the league in scoring at 29.7 PPG on an extremely efficient 57.4% from the field. O’Neal had no comparison on the court because he was simply stronger and more physical than any defender. Taking 824 foul shots, Shaq only made 432 which was “good” for 52.4%.
499 - 972 (FTM - FTA), 51.3 FT%, 74 Games Played
Shaq’s second NBA title came together with another season of leading the league in foul attempts. There was simply no answer for O’Neal because he would literally force the ball into the basket no matter what opposing coaches could plan for. Once again, Shaq put up monster scoring numbers at 28.7 PPG on 57.2% from the field.
398 - 717 (FTM - FTA), 55.5 FT%, 67 Games Played
O’Neal once again led the league in foul attempts while his partner, Kobe Bryant, finished 5th. Shaq averaged 27.2 PPG while Bryant averaged 25.2 PPG, as both players got to the line with ease. The dominant center was still the most physically imposing star in the world because he still put up ridiculous scoring numbers despite shooting 55.5% from the stripe. Had O’Neal been blessed with a more consistent jumper, only one can imagine what his scoring numbers would have been.
604 - 753 (FTM - FTA), 80.2 FT%, 79 Games Played
Paul Pierce is not renowned as an athletic player who could burst to the rim, as he would rather step back for jump shots or try to get open for good looks. But at age 25, Pierce certainly had enough strength and quickness in drawing fouls against flat-footed defenders, and managed over 600 makes from the stripe.
331 - 676 (FTM - FTA), 49.0 FT%, 67 Games Played
In his final season in Los Angeles, Shaquille O’Neal led the league in foul attempts by taking 676 free shots from the stripe. Even if the Shaq-Kobe Bryant dynamic was getting ugly on and off the court, the duo still led the team to the NBA Finals in a losing effort. Seeing O’Neal dominate the post in his prime was a happy moment for Lakers fans who would have to see the superstar join the Miami Heat the following season.
583 - 795 (FTM - FTA), 73.3 FT%, 80 Games Played
In his third season, Amar’e Stoudemire became an All-Star with the Phoenix Suns by posting 26.0 PPG on 55.9% from the field. Receiving pinpoint passes from superstar Steve Nash, Stoudemire was a force when he attacked the paint and received lobs. Standing 6’10” with explosive athleticism, Amar’e was often fouled near the basket which is why he attempted nearly 800 foul shots.
675 - 829 (FTM - FTA), 81.4 FT%, 72 Games Played
Allen Iverson captured his 4th scoring title in 2005, posting 30.7 PPG on 24.2 FGA and 10.5 FTA. A year later, The Answer led the NBA in free throws made. The Philadelphia 76ers superstar shot 81.4% from the stripe, very solid numbers that resulted in 675 makes in 829 attempts. Thanks to Iverson’s quickness, there was no answer for the guard in most one-on-one possessions.
667 - 768 (FTM - FTA), 86.8 FT%, 77 Games Played
Kobe Bryant captured his second-straight scoring title, posting 31.6 PPG for the Los Angeles Lakers. The superstar shooting guard had 10.0 FTA per game during the season, resulting in 768 attempts. The league was catering to offense at that time, but nowhere near as much as in today’s game. It is likely that Bryant would have easily had over 800 foul attempts in today’s game.
529 - 897 (FTM - FTA), 59.0 FT%, 82 Games Played
One of the premier centers during his time, Dwight Howard was a monster in the paint due to his incredible strength and explosiveness as a big man. The Orlando Magic superstar shot 59.0% from the stripe, below-average numbers, but typical numbers for a player who was never blessed with any form of a jump-shooting stroke.
504 - 849 (FTM - FTA), 59.4 FT%, 79 Games Played
For the second straight year, superstar center Dwight Howard led the league in free-throw attempts. The dominant big man was impossible to defend against when he received lobs from his teammates, but he was also usually fouled to force him to go 1-2 from the line on most occasions. Considering Howard shot 59.4% from the stripe, that was normally a good strategy to employ.
756 - 840 (FTM - FTA), 90.0 FT%, 82 Games Played
Averaging a league-leading 30.1 PPG in his 3rd NBA season, Kevin Durant was a critical part of the Oklahoma City Thunder franchise that would begin the start of a championship team in the Western Conference. KD shot at least 90% from the free-throw line 3 times in his career, with the first coming in 2010.
546 - 916 (FTM - FTA), 59.6 FT%, 78 Games Played
Still the most dominant center in the league, Dwight Howard was drawing fouls at an impressive rate. It was obvious that the big man was never going to be a consistent free-throw shooter, so teams normally fouled him on most occasions to force him to split a pair. Dwight was exceptional during the year on both ends of the floor, and he made enough foul shots to average 22.9 PPG.
281 - 572 (FTM - FTA), 49.1 FT%, 54 Games Played
Just as Shaquille O’Neal was dominant in the paint during his time, Dwight Howard was similar in the way he drew fouls at an alarming rate. During the lockout-shortened season, the center played 54 games and still attempted over 570 foul shots. Shooting 49.1%, Dwight was still unreliable from the stripe but still made 281 foul shots.
674 - 792 (FTM - FTA), 85.1 FT%, 78 Games Played
At age 23, James Harden was given the keys to the Houston Rockets franchise. He certainly did well with that role, as he posted 25.9 PPG as one of the most improved players in the league. The Beard was exceptional at drawing fouls, attempting almost 800 foul shots, and making an impressive 85.1% of them.
703 - 805 (FTM - FTA), 87.3 FT%, 81 Games Played
The Oklahoma City Thunder star led the league in free throws made for the 5th consecutive year, an incredible feat. His fifth came in 2014 when he swished 703 foul shots at a scintillating 87.3% clip. Durant is one of the greatest superstar free-throw shooters ever, and this run of makes from the stripe is certainly impressive.
715 - 824 (FTM - FTA), 86.8 FT%, 81 Games Played
In the first season of his career, James Harden started making a name for himself as one of the best players in the NBA. The superstar guard was effective in handling the ball, using his quickness and strength to power through defenses and draw the fouls. The Beard shot 86.8% from the stripe, making 715 easy shots from the stripe.
720 - 837 (FTM - FTA), 86.0 FT%, 82 Games Played
James Harden would make it 2 times in a row in 2016, draining 720 free throws in over 837 attempts, an incredible mark of an all-time great scorer. Harden shot a whopping 86.0% from the stripe in 82 games played, and would go on to continue his All-Star growth with the Houston Rockets franchise.
746 - 881 (FTM - FTA), 84.7 FT%, 81 Games Played
Somehow, James Harden manages to attempt a whopping 881 free throws and nailed over 84% of them. Anytime a player can get to the line with that type of efficiency, a team can benefit greatly from this type of production. Harden made 746 free throws, an incredible number that helped James’ 29.1 PPG average during the year.
624 - 727 (FTM - FTA), 85.8 FT%, 72 Games Played
In James Harden’s MVP season, The Beard was simply unstoppable from an offensive point of view. The shooting guard had some elite teammates next to him including Chris Paul and Clint Capela, which helped his own game by having enough space to attack the rim and often get foul calls. The Beard was also exceptional at drawing fouls from the three-point line, often resulting in 3 free throws or an extra free throw in an And-1 situation.
754 - 858 (FTM - FTA), 87.9 FT%, 78 Games Played
James Harden managed to lead the league in free throws made for the 5th consecutive season. The Beard loved attacking the rim and drawing fouls because there was simply no stopping him from a physical or tactical standpoint. Of course, Harden loved flailing on his shots, drawing fouls, and normally hitting the shots as well. Harden’s prowess was also a major reason the Houston Rockets became title contenders that were very tough to beat.
692 - 800 (FTM - FTA), 86.5 FT%, 68 Games Played
James Harden continues his reign as a top free-throw shooter by taking 800 free throws as a member of the Rockets. Alongside Russell Westbrook, Harden was forced to handle the ball and create possessions for his team. He had no problem getting to the basket, often through double teams, and was as efficient as possible by nailing over 86% of them. Looking back, The Beard certainly had one of the most incredible runs as a foul merchant for the Houston Rockets.
398 - 581 (FTM - FTA), 68.5 FT%, 61 Games Played
Easily one of the most physically dominant players in NBA history, the Bucks superstar is unstoppable when he has the ball in precarious positions. When The Greek Freak is on the break or has a position down low, Giannis has to be fouled to stop him from dunking the ball for an easy two points. Antetokounmpo got to the line the most in 2021, taking 581 total foul shots during the covid-shortened season.
654 - 803 (FTM - FTA), 81.4 FT%, 68 Games Played
Joel Embiid is leading the NBA in free throws made at the end of the 2022 season. The big man not only captured his first scoring title but mainly did it by getting to the line as much as possible. While opposing coaches feel that Joel is fooling refs with his ability to consistently get foul calls, he is still getting to the stripe and nailing over 80% of his attempts. Even if opposing head coaches are sharing their disdain for the way Embiid (and his All-Star teammate James Harden) seemingly do not earn their foul shots, there is no denying the big man is unstoppable in the post against defenders in one-on-one positions.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!