http://stats.nba.com/players/pullup/#!?sort=PULL_UP_PTS&dir=1Something I have been tracking since last season, been interested in this since McCollum blew up last year. Turns out he is one of the best shot creators and scorers off the dribble that lead to a jump-shot.
This year he is 4th in PPG off pullup jumpshots (Shots taken after at least 1 dribble and outside the paint) behind Westbrook CP3 and DDR at 8.6ppg and is 3rd in terms of FG% on those shots for the top players at 44.8% so far this year. A big reason why DDr is so good this year is cause he improved that shot of his...by a whole lot this year (Was bottom of barrel last year). He and Chris Paul are the only people averaging more PPG on this type of shot with a higher percentage than CJ (45 and 45.1% ). As for EFG% since they take more 3 pointers on this type of shot it makes sense that Lowry and Paul shoot a higher EFG% on such shots at 55% and 53% compared to McCollums 50%
Some players who are know as deadly shooters off the dribble are anything but this year (Curry 31.7%FG and 41%EFG Harden34.8%FG and 46EFG% Lillard 36.5%FG% and 45.1%)
Interesting because last year McCollum finished 4th in pts per game aswell at 8.4ppg behind Curry, KD and Paul. Shooting a better FG% on such shots than KD but lagging behind Curry and CP3 and a better EFG% on those shots than Paul, but behind KD and Curry.
The reason I point this out is cause that is some damn good company he finds himself in, also I find shooting off the dribble as a tough thing to defend when you tighten the screws. Think about it, how many times has Durant made a tough shot off the dribble only to make defenders and coaches on the sideline throw their arms up in the air...or Curry or CP3 (who has been doing so for a decade).
You can always raise the curtain on drives and shots at the rim given the right personnel and proven system, but shooting off the dribble via eclectic moves is not only an aesthetically pleasing aspect of basketball, but also a time honored tradition on courts around the world. McCollum along with those players is world class in that regard.
