Comments

The problem with shot efficiency types is they don’t acknowledge that range on ones shot comes incrementally. Think to how Rasheed Wallace devastated the Lakers in championship play by dropping an array of 3 point bombs. That 3 ball wasn’t really there in Portland but his mid range shot was. And the mid range shots wasn’t really there in Washington. And it’s not just Rasheed, think Larry Johnson, Bill Lambeer, Robert Horry, Cliff Robinson, Channing Frye, Charles Oakley, and Magic Johnson all built consistent Mid-range shots before being able to extend their shot to 3 point land. You have to pay for tomorrow’s floor spacing with today’s inefficiency. Bulls fans used to moan as Charles Oakley pulled up mid range as a Bull. They later moaned as he dropped 3s on them as a Knick. In Toronto he was mainly a 3 point specialist. You don’t tell some one who bounces the ball of their foot to stop dribbling, you tell them to practice. Then they have to try it in the games. Then more practice and more game execution.

Tom Haberstroh           57

Thanks for the comment, Don. I do agree that some players gradually extend their range throughout their career but I would say the examples you cited were more exceptions to the rule. I wonder if some of them even fit your theory at all. Robert Horry was a three-point shooter at Alabama and shot threes regularly by his third year in the NBA. Charles Oakley was never a three-point specialist, at any point in his career. As a Raptor, he didn't attempt a three-pointer in 138 out his 208 games and averaged 0.5 threes per 36 minutes. I'm not sure why you considered him as such. In general, any player that develops a three point shot should have solid mid-range game to begin with. But that does not mean that every player with a solid mid-range game will develop into a three point shooter. Many forwards who shoot threes later in their careers do so because as they got older, they were not athletic enough or strong enough to continue their effectiveness inside. Only a small number of them can do so successfully.

Don Taylor           58

Those were only my impressions of those players, as I observed them growing as shooters, no doubt I could find some better examples statistically. My aim here is not to find a perfect example of the principle but to to point out that it exists and that it is not rare. Often a players range ends at the edge of his coaches open-mindedness. I guess here my ultimate point is developing players like Deng and Rose should not be discouraged from building completeness in their games because (currently) they are not good at a thing. Remember when Jason Kidd's shot was like, "Look out below!" He shoots 4 threes a game these days and knocks 40% of them. Give Tyrus Thomas the same room to explore who he can become. Thanks for the reply and I'll have better research next time I comment (If there's a next time)

Noe_valley           59

Welcome to the NBA, you make your outside shots and it's easier to score inside. This fall the Bulls were shooting poorly, below career ave for Hinrick for example, and the they were losing. Recently the guards have been shooting better and they're winning. Of course Michael Jordan extended his range after he came into the NBA and over the years developed a 3pt shot. Good players get better in the off season, including shooting range and %.