Guess who's leading the league in mid-range jumpers?

So it seems he could become a solid 43%, with the exception of last season when it was an anomaly. I suspect that increasing this season as well. That is Duncan's range. Right now he's over 50%. If that stays at that rate, will you change your tune?

 

Is 16'-23' really what is considered mid range? I would consider a mid range to be closer 12-18. Rarely does LA shoot over 20'. Maybe 1 per game.

As far as a detriment to the team.....in past years I don't think he had much choice. Just like I don't think Lillard had much choice last year when he was launching from everywhere. The offensive strategy was much to be desired. LA is not selfish. If there are better opportunities for the team to score, then IMO he is the type of player who will defer. (Like he did with Roy)

 

Damn. over 50% for an entire season? That's asking a lot to jump up 7% from his average. I hope he can... but damn. lol.

 

His career average is 41.5%, if he can keep shooting 10% above that like has the first 3 games then yea that obviously changes the whole conversation. But that's a massive leap, and using a 3 game sample to predict it is pretty suspect.

 

http://www.basketball-reference.com...tat=&c3comp=ge&c3val=&order_by=fg#stats::none

Aldridge 12-18ft= 41.2% for his overall career, 43% last season

Not much better than 16-23ft

 

You know there will be some games where the offense is just not working. And LMA and Damian will be forced to shoot some desperation jumpers because there are no other options. These games will hurt their stats. But being the "man" they have no choice. (Unlike Bosh)

 

Yeah I agree with this. Brian said he doesn't watch any games so he needs a disclaimer on his stat analysis. LaMarcus has shot a lot of midrange shots over the years because there is no better option. I mean if a guy is shooting 85% on dunks that is great but you can't have him just run down and attempt a dunk every possession at that rate.

LaMarcus has taken many long 2 point shots, these are not all in identical situations. Sometimes they are late in the shot clock, or at the end of a period, when the offense is struggling or the team has no better options, the defense is playing very tight coverage. Alternatively sometimes LaMarcus is wide open, he is more rested, he has time to get properly set. So its not some concrete situation that at all times he always shoots 40% from this distance. Those attempts all appear identical in advanced stats but they are composed of a collection of varying quality attempts. The poorest attempts he might hit only 25% of the time. The best attempts from the inner edge of this range he might hit 65% of the time.

So what are the alternatives to LaMarcus' attempt? If it is with 3 second on the clock there may not be a better option than his poor look, so he should take that 25% shot. It will lower his advanced stats but it was the best shot the team had left. 0.5 points per possesion is higher than 0.0. Earlier in the clock he should be more selective with the shot, and see if they can get a more efficient play first. But if the team is half way through the shot clock and LaMarcus has an open look he should most definitely consider taking it.

 

43% is not that bad considering his minutes, the bench, and the offense last year. I would be fine with 45% this year. You have to remember that he and Lillard will often get stuck with the ball at the end of the shot clock and forced to shoot....lowering their numbers.

But it still comes down to what is the alternative? Where are the "better" shots going to come from?

 

I've said I think he should reduce some of them, but the thing is whats the alternative? Last year it was more shots for guys like Babbitt. This year can Stotts create superior looks in the flow of the offense?

But I have a hard time respecting any analyst who watches 0% of the games. Its just as bad as someone who says all stats are meaningless. How can you have over 13k posts about a team but never watch them?

People who watch the games have seen LaMarcus drilling open midrange shots like they are layups. When he is getting those types of looks they are a very high quality shot.

 

"St. Louis Coach Rick Majerus said “the midrange game is not part of college basketball anymore. It’s the long ball, the layup and then there’s very little in between.”

I do think the 3 pt shot is a better shot for those players whose feet are set. Lots of times they just run to a spot and wait for the pass.

Where as mid range shots are more likely to be off the dribble, which most players today suck at compared to the past. (Remember how bad Rudy was at that shot?)

But big guys like LA are not shooting off the dribble. (Well maybe one dribble) So it should be easier for them to make. You need someone shooting them. You have to spread the floor. Someone will be out there in no mans land. (15-18') It seems like for us, that man is our PF. LA can make it well enough, Robinson can not.

 

Are you saying Durant doesn't take long jumpers? That would surprise me.

I am basing the "need" on the fact that most teams have two guys at the 3 pt line, one guy down low, and one in the high post. (Plus the PG) The high post player positioned 15 -18 feet from the basket setting screens is often left wide open after setting the pick for the PG.

 

Sucks you cant watch the games.

We had an efficient offense last year and it was centered on LaMarcus with a large part of his game being midrange shots. One thing is lots of those players you list that get higher % shots have far more turnovers. LaMarcus has very few for his usage rate. So when he shoots a lower % the possession results in points just as often.

It all really comes down to if LaMarcus is not taking these shots what is the alternative? I've seen Wesley try to force drives and those do not work well. Batum struggles crating his own shot. Its one thing to take a wide open jumper that Ibaka is taking at a low usage rate because Durant is double teamed. Its an entirely different shot when LaMarcus has to create it on his own. With more talented teammates and an improved Lillard I'm hoping the team can find more efficient shots for everybody this season. Some of these will be 3's or dunks, but some will be long two's if LaMarcus is open.