<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Watch out NBA fans, because I've got some scary, scary news for you: LeBron James has a jump shot. The Cavaliers' phenom achieved superstardom during the past two seasons despite a mediocre delivery from outside. It was a strongshortcoming:Heonlymade 31.9% of his 3-pointers and 34.8% of his long 2-pointers last year, according to NBA.com, well below the norm for a perimeter player. But even with that shortcoming, he nearly won the MVP award two years ago, and carried his team to the Eastern Conference title last season. During this summer's FIBA Tournament of the Americas, he unleashed his new weapon. James looked much more balanced and comfortable on his jumper, after hinting that he's been working on the shot since Cleveland lost in last season's NBA Finals. The work paid off, because he was vastly more accurate. James made 23 of 37 3-pointers in the tournament, a ridiculous 62.2% from downtown. Even granting that the international 3-point line is shorter, and that the competition this past week was not exactly daunting, and that 37 shots is a small sample ?-- this was an impressive showing. Furthermore, look at how hard it made life for teams trying to defend James. Having to guard him for the 3 meant it was impossible to cut off his drives ?-- he shot an absurd, incomprehensible 50-for-59 on 2-pointers. His shooting percentage overall was a video game-like 76%, and he led the U.S. team with 47 assists in 10 games. Despite the embarrassing selection of Argentina's Luis Scola as the tournament MVP ?-- attention, worst-award-vote-in-history debaters, we have a new candidate! ?-- James was easily the best player in the tournament, as America won the gold.</div> Source: NY Sun LeBron was definitely draining his jumpshots in the FIBA tournament, but I hope he doesn't abandon his aggressiveness in favor of launching 3 point shots. Driving to the rim takes its toll on your body and also requires more energy to score. Taking a jumpshot doesn't take much effort and is oftern refered to as lazy offense. I think LeBron is most effective when he can penetrate a defense and go in for the And1 or drop off a pass to a teammate. Hopefully he can balance out his attack, but I'd hate to see him follow the same path players like Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal and Tracy McGrady took after they developed a jumpshot. Once they improved their shots in the league they player further and further away from the basket and their shooting percentages declined.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Source: NY Sun LeBron was definitely draining his jumpshots in the FIBA tournament, but I hope he doesn't abandon his aggressiveness in favor of launching 3 point shots. Driving to the rim takes its toll on your body and also requires more energy to score. Taking a jumpshot doesn't take much effort and is oftern refered to as lazy offense. I think LeBron is most effective when he can penetrate a defense and go in for the And1 or drop off a pass to a teammate. Hopefully he can balance out his attack, but I'd hate to see him follow the same path players like Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Jermaine O'Neal and Tracy McGrady took after they developed a jumpshot. Once they improved their shots in the league they player further and further away from the basket and their shooting percentages declined.</div> I think LeBron James shot well and everything, but I'm not ready to say he's vastly improved his jumpshot yet. He was facing some weak FIBA competition at times, so I'd like for him to develop a body of work in the NBA first (Jumpshot-wise I mean). Mentally, I'm sure playing against non-NBA players played a role in his shooting prowess. A positive mentality is quite powerful and I'm sure he felt even more superior than usual.
he defintiely looked great from three, but as MrJ pointed out, its a closer line. also, he was left relatively open many times due to penetration and kick plays. also, i didnt see him shooting off the dribble from three that often, if ever. if he wants to develop a lethal 3 point shot to go along with his already great talent, he'll need to be able to drain it on the move.
From the first 7 games 47-59 (.797) from the floor 14-20 (.700) from 3 .915 eGF% For all 10 games: 50/59 (.847) from the floor 23/37 (.62) from the floor THOSE NUMBERS ARE SICK!!!!
