Opinion & Analysis

Swanson: How I fixed Steph Curry’s basketball shot with Trackman

Published

10 years ago

Jun 11, 2016

Swanson

Warning: Swanson, the author of this story, does not exist… except in his writing. His character is completely imagined, but that doesn’t mean his opinions aren’t real.

—

I know all of you probably think of me as just a golf-equipment savant, but that’s putting me in a box. I have other skills in life — like knowledge of the golf swing and the dynamics of golf-ball flight. And thanks to that knowledge, Steph Curry is the dominant basketball player he is today.

Here’s what happened.

Last summer, during the NBA off-season, Steph and I had just finished up 18 holes at my private course in Aruba. He’s actually a really good golfer despite the media calling him a 1-handicap. But anyway, we’re shooting jumpers in my indoor basketball gym after our round when I noticed something off in his release — the basketball was launching much too low and with too much spin. Although he was making every single shot, no matter where he shot it from, the ball kept gently grazing the front of the rim.

As you know, in golf, the optimal launch-spin ratio is 17 degrees and 1700 rpm. To my amazement, or should I say shock, launch and spin were something Steph didn’t even think about when shooting a basketball. Poppycock!

Since 17-1700 works so well in golf, I figured it’d work in basketball, too. So I walked over and grabbed a Trackman from my gym bag (that’s a lesson to my fellow golfers, never go anywhere without your Trackman). I set it up on a table behind him as he took some deep threes to grab some data.

Sure enough, Trackman showed he was launching it at 12 and 2900. From my knowledge of golf, I know that means the ball was ballooning and causing him to hit the front rim. We then made major adjustments to his form, stance, posture and mentality, and even threw some lead tape in his wrist band to balance out his center of gravity. Finally, we optimized his ball flight. He didn’t touch the rim for the rest of our practice session, and he even called me “coach” before he took my jet back to the states. I’ll never forget that.

And while I’m not a huge fan of unjustifiably taking credit for other people’s success, or of completely making up stories, I might just be the reason that Steph Curry broke the all-time NBA record for three-point shots made during a season this year with 402. And I’m the reason Steph Curry won his second MVP in a row, as well. Did you think it was a coincidence Steph was making half-court shots all year? No, it’s not a coincidence. It’s science. The 17-1700 ratio never fails.

The problem with Steph’s game up until this year was that he wasn’t thinking about technique enough. He was just seeing the target and shooting at it, accessing his hand-eye coordination and natural abilities. He wasn’t paying attention to minute details like weight pressure in his feet, pronation, supination, stacking or even tilting. And not only was he not concerned about it, but he didn’t even know the optimal launch angle and spin rate of a basketball.

Admittedly, I’m slightly disappointed that he credits his shooting coach, supportive parents, teammates, work ethic and talent for all of his success instead of me. Kind of selfish, don’t you think?

But seriously, I am hoping at some point Steph publicly acknowledges my role in his success, because I really want to name my new Trackman Data Analysis Performance Center for All Sports after him. The business venture is really taking off after I showed Tom Brady the 17 degrees and 1700 rpm formula and completely turned around his football throwing motion.

Steph, if you’re reading this, shoot me a text so we can talk particulars about the launch of “Swanson and Steph’s Performance Center for Enlightening Athletes on the Significance and Relationship of the Numbers 17 and 1700.”

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Swanson

Swanson doesn't exist, except in his writing. He doesn't play for score any more, as he's too busy working on his spin rates. For tournament purposes, he has a 2 handicap on file from high school golf, registered at his home club, which is only reachable by private watercraft.

19 Comments

Mike Honcho

Aug 3, 2016 at 12:06 pm

Judge Smails has issued a bench warrant for Swanson to be sent to the electric chair. We hope

Reply Report comment
Eric

Jun 16, 2016 at 4:58 pm

How would he get trackman to read the ball data from a basket ball?

Reply Report comment
Brilliant

Jun 12, 2016 at 6:31 pm

Swanson, good stuff buddy. I laugh with glee at all the anger gonna come through the comment section. Impressive results, but without knowing the stiffness of his wristbands, you know most of us can’t verify your data “apples to apples.” Next time call an expert.

Reply Report comment
- K Dizzle
  
  Jun 13, 2016 at 4:41 am
  
  You are confusing anger with utter disappointment.
  
  Reply Report comment
S Wizzle

Jun 12, 2016 at 4:51 pm

With a wet lettuce.

Reply Report comment
mlecuni

Jun 12, 2016 at 3:09 pm

This website deserves better editors.

Reply Report comment
TheCityGame

Jun 12, 2016 at 11:36 am

17-17 is the new 20-20.

Steph’s being selfish. Come on Curry, give your boy Swanson a little dap.

Swanson, the lord of all things longball.

Reply Report comment
Raj jp

Jun 12, 2016 at 11:30 am

This is funny. Not sure why some of the other commenters are so uptight about it. Nothing ruins a swing like a stick in the a**.

Reply Report comment
- One of Your Best
  
  Jun 12, 2016 at 4:49 pm
  
  There is a difference between being uptight and not finding it funny. You probably find Everybody Loves Raymond funny as well which would explain a lot.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Raymond.
    
    Jun 12, 2016 at 6:37 pm
    
    Everybody Loves Raymond. The absolute test for whether humor is appropriately high brow funny vs just total garbage. You people know who you are, if Raymond makes you laugh, you might as well walk into traffic. There’s nothing uptight about disapproving of someone’s sense of humor though.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - F Jizzle
      
      Jun 13, 2016 at 4:39 am
      
      You got it Raymond.
      
      Reply Report comment
SB

Jun 12, 2016 at 8:31 am

That’s bad.

Reply Report comment
Goopher

Jun 12, 2016 at 3:53 am

this could actually have been funny … but the later part is about as lame as a courtside seat holder in an NBA game trying to high five every player in their vicinity

please Swanson … stick with your day job and stop dabbling into satire … it doesn’t seem to be for you

Reply Report comment
Rob

Jun 12, 2016 at 12:04 am

Please leave satire to the professionals at the onion.

Reply Report comment
J

Jun 11, 2016 at 10:33 pm

These articles couldn’t be a bigger waste of time. Please divert these resources to something useful

Reply Report comment
Dan Plan

Jun 11, 2016 at 4:46 pm

This sounds so fake

Reply Report comment
Tyler

Jun 11, 2016 at 2:52 pm

Dear Swanson,
Do you think the 17-1700 rule could be used in my investment strategy somewhere? I mean it’s like a divine ratio that should be applicable to all aspects of my life right?
-Tyler

Reply Report comment
- Swanson's Swan Song
  
  Jun 12, 2016 at 10:27 am
  
  Don’t encourage him.
  
  Reply Report comment
S Mizzle

Jun 11, 2016 at 12:47 pm

Swanson needs to be put out to pasture.

Reply Report comment

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Opinion & Analysis

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Andrew Von Lossow

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A post shared by GolfWRX (@golfwrx)

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