Mirotic is 8th on the Bulls in 3 point percentage. Why is that?

The low 3pt % isn't hurting him because of the FTA he gets.

As rosenthall pointed out, the opposition is a bit behind in scouting him, but are catching up. I think the big month of March opened teams' eyes a bit.

The big thing I noticed is that opponents are being coached to not buy his pump fake out by the 3pt line. He gets to the line a LOT from that move - gets his defender up in the air, leans in and initiates contact while flopping up a shot.

Take that away and he really has to work for it.

For sure, our 1st round playoff opponent won't be behind on the scouting. They'll be studying films of the team in advance of tip off for game 1.

And then they'll study the film of game 1. And so on.

 

The hell with "in a couple of years."



That could happen more consistently from here on out.

 

If Niko can drain 3s like Dirk, the Bulls will be in really good shape.

If he's shooting 31-32%, I think defenses will be comfortable with him shooting.

If he can go 6-11 every night, he'll win the MVP.

 

That he can go 6-11 is reason to guard him. Regardless of his 30% on the season.

I'll gladly take 33% or better from a guy who scores a lot.

 

That's true for the other stretch 4s with higher percentages though as well.

They are all shooting what they are shooting over the course of a season, given the defenses are guarding them as stretch 4 types.

If anything, Niko gets perhaps a bit more space since he's good at taking it to the hole if you play him to close or bite on the fake.

 

If anything, the SF position requires him to run around and use screens and catch and shoot (or drive). Or stand in the corner outside the 3pt line for a kic out pass. He's played a lot at SF.

He really needs to become good at the position so we don't have to bench Taj for Dunleavy.

 

Do you think Mirotic is going to get the hang of SF before this season ends? I don't see any reason why he's couldn't get the feel for it -- like I don't think he needs rework his mechanics or develop new skills, he just seems to need to get used to the different close out speed and options available at the position. That said, I would be pretty surprised if it happens this season.

 

I think if he wants to play, he better get used to SF. He's #2 on the depth chart at SF and #4 at PF.

I'm quite certain he's going to play a lot of SF. Thibs IS going to play him as many minutes as makes sense.

The starting lineup and player usage through the first three quarters (up until Mirotic entered the 2nd half) proved plenty good enough to bury the Nets.

I think Thibs is a veteran elite coach. He'll use guys who are playing the best and he won't use guys who waste time on the floor. Hence Kirk vs. Tony for #9 in the rotation - a warning to Kirk to come to play or he won't play.

 

174 minutes. What's that, about 3 games' worth of playing time?

 

Even though the sample sizes are ridiculously small, by your own data, the +5.1 per 48 minute lineup has the best point differential of the ones you listed.

 

Not sure what any of that has to do with Niko's poor comparative 3 point shooting percentage to other stretch fours and to other Bulls players as well, other than Rose.

Do you think he's about a 31-32% 3 point shooter or do you think he'll improve with time / experience? He's just a rookie after all, right?

 

You look like the fool you are when you don't even read what you post.



Huge sample size. Your data are just so awesome. 174 is the MOST of the minutes you have for any of the permutations of Niko at SF.

You're earning the name bullshitville with every post.

And have a look at the +5.1 figure you posted. It's the BEST of all the point differentials of the numbers you misinterpreted.

 

Let's go with the +5.1 lineup.

Thank god you're not the coach.

 

Most NBA players can hit a high percentage of shots if left open. The percentage during the games is what matters, right? And the other stretch fours would likely hit higher percentages than they currently have if they were unguarded.

When compared to other stretch fours (at least the ones I came up with), and his Bulls teammates, Mirotic is a below average 3 point shooter. He can and hopefully will improve, but to this point, he's been below average.

 

I'm not really saying much of anything other than its interesting that his 3 point shooting percentage is lower than most Bulls and most other stretch fours. He has the rep of a great 3 point shooter. Most great 3 point shooters have highish shooting percentages from that distance.

We'll see what happens long term. We see how teams handle the only guy with a lower percentage 3 point percentage than Mirotic (Rose). Its basically "fire away."

If Mirotic is a good 3 point shooter we would expect to see a higher 3 point %, right? Its not like opposing defenses are letting guys like Korver (or even Dunleavy) shoot uncontested.

Yah, if you take away the FTs by letting him shoot more uncontested, perhaps the 3 point % goes up. And he just might get better at the shot. And I guess having your PF being able to shoot 32% even from three creates the space benefits of having him out there. All the more reason that he's more valuable at the 4 spot. The sad thing is the org built the team to have 3 other very capable players at the 4 and 5.

 

http://www.sportingcharts.com/nba/stats/player-true-shooting-percent-leaders/2014/

Looks like there are 102 players in the NBA right now with a higher TS% than Nikola Mirotic.

Kyle Korver is #2.
Tyson Chandler is #3.