Really love this 30pt streak that he's on, and think it's easy to pinpoint the primary reason for his uptick. FTA by month: OCT: 5.7 NOV: 5.3 DEC: 6.1 JAN: 5.0 FEB: 8.2 Getting to the FT line more, and definitely getting the benefit of doubt from the refs. Saw in person yesterday how he's been getting calls he didn't earlier in the year. How many times did the dude get knocked down earlier in the season without any FTs? Did you guys know he has more 4pt plays than anyone this season? It's not only increasing his scoring average, but his FG% climbed up to nearly 45% in FEB even with a slight decrease in 3pt %.
I think I did a thread about how little he was getting to the line compared to the other top scorers back in the first couple months of the season. It would be interesting to revisit that subject.
Watching that video, I realize three of them have come in the six games since the All-Star Break, and at least one more (@ MEM) came after being snubbed for the ASG.
I never realized how well he sets those up. Moves across the screen with just enough space to give the defender the impression that he can fight over the top, but pulls up before the defender has a chance to stop his momentum. Amazing that he's garnered half of those 4-point plays just in the last 6 games. It can't be accidental. Edit: looking again, the third was in Memphis, so that's 4 in the past 8 games.
The NBA had to have made a deal with Dame, trading the ASG nod for increased respect from the refs. If I was Dame, I'd say I'd have a better reaction to missing the ASG too if that was the consolation prize.
It's the Eric Snow/Jarrett Jack/ Andre Miller trademarked "Butt Move," but combined with a 3pt attempt. Dude deliberately tries to do that. Love it
