Lillard's 3 pt range - bring it in Damian?

I have noticed a lot of 3's lately from Damian from 2-3 ft beyond the arc, it seems to me that we did not see nearly as many 3's of this length in the first 10 games or so. Damian seems very good from closer to the arc, but his % drops a good bit when he goes out that extra 2-3 ft. I'd like to see less of those long 3's.

Love his game and we are lucky to have him, am I seeing things or have other noticed the same?

and/or is this perhaps a product of defenses now pushing him further out?

 

I have noticed this as well and it seems like these are the ones the rattle just in and out. He rarely misses even 3's "bad"

 

And the complaining begins. Although I thought the dribbling would come before the 3pt shooting.

 

He was taking long threes earlier in the year as well, I've heard a few announcers like the guys in Sacramento and I think Sean Elliot vs the spurs gushing about how his shot is good out to 25 or so.

I think you're only noticing it because of his 1-8 night last night.

 

Isn't that generally the fault of the guy setting the pick? Set up a step or two inside the 3-pt line and it's a much more makeable shot.

 

Yeah, but there are other factors in play. The ballhandler can help the guy setting the pick by holding his defender in a better position to be picked. Also I think opposing defenses have a pretty big influence on it because they are making a deliberate effort to pressure Lillard off the 3 point line and to make his life difficult in general now that they know he can score from pretty much anywhere. I think he's just taking what's there, and he's not afraid to take a 26 footer if that is what the defense is giving. If he's making that shot, it puts that much more pressure on the defense to extend themselves out that far.

 

Agreed on all counts, but do we have anyone on the roster this year that sets even an average pick? I can't think of any. So, I put the blame there first.

 

He's been shooting those shots all season. It's part of his game.

 

If you move hickson to pf and have Aldridge play center; hickson can set much better picks. Also Babbitt is pretty good at setting picks. The advantage of either Babbitt and hickson setting picks is either one can make you pay. Hickson can roll and dunk; while Babbitt can pop and set up for a three.

 

I don't see it. Hickson is barely a threat from outside, and Babbitt is barely a threat to drive. Neither sets a good enough pick to cover for the fact that they aren't a multifaceted threat in the P&R situation. Aldridge and Batum are the obvious candidates, but they're both too soft in that respect.

 

That's why you need a good pg to run that offense. Hickson just needs to set a good pick and run towards the basket each time. Babbitt needs to set a hard pick and run towards the top or right wing and pop a jay. And if the play is broken; then kick it out and rotate; giving it to Aldridge on the left wing for a post up.

 

Babbitt is good. We need to play him more and include him more. Can't believe someone wanted to trade him to the Lakers.