During a recent exhibition game in China, fans were taken aback by Houston Rockets’ rookie Chinanu Onuaku’s unorthodox free-throw style. Unorthodox, that is, if you’ve never seen first graders play basketball. Onuaku grabbs the ball with two hands, drops it below his knees, throws it underhanded and...swish. This free-throw technique commonly known by the sexist and ageist term “granny” shot, has been out of fashion in the NBA for decades. But, according to science, it’s proven more effective than shooting with one hand above the head.
Onuaku doesn’t need science to tell him that the underhanded free throw is where it’s at, he’s seen the results first-hand. While a freshman at Louisville, he was shooting just 47 percent from the line. After switching to the underhanded style in his sophomore year, his free throw percentage rose to just under 60 percent. Although his play from the line has has drastically improved, Onuaku is still chided by his teammates for his old-school technique. “I don’t really care what people think,” Onuaku says. “I know they’re going to make fun of me. I just brush it off. It’s all about getting better.”
According to Discover Magazine, the underhanded free throw provides superior arc and spin to the overhead shot. “That’s why these guys miss so much,” Peter Brancazio, author of SportsScience: Physical Laws and Optimum Performance, says. “Because of the sharp angle of the typical overhand throw, there ends up being a much smaller window for the ball to go in. If the ball comes down at the basket from a steeper angle, the way it does if tossed up in the high arc characteristic of an underhand throw, the margin reappears. That means there’s a far greater chance of making the basket.”
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Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.