The 3-pointer. Lets clear some things up shall we?

[DBC10]

How does those ability to generate open shots percentages compare with the rest of the league? I don't know if you have the dataset on that, but from an initial gut feeling, it feels lower than most teams. Which would correlate the idea that we generally have a poorly ran offense and unable to generate good looks.

It takes a little work to look up each team and each month. So I just picked a few teams and compared their total year numbers to ours. If you have a few other teams you are interested in, let me know and I can run those. I just didn't want to do the entire league.

Truly a stalwart. Thanks for this, really seems to clear up a lot of things up in terms of offense being generated and its effects.

[Darko Miliminutes]

It's the threat tobias poses. As said, a dynamic player. At any given second he could do most anything with the ball, and that's a serious threat to the opposing D. Other guys get easier shots. It's the same reason that i don't want pope as the starter. because pope doesn't pose that threat, and a sg really should be a threat to shoot from anywhere at any time.

[tmorgan]

It's the threat tobias poses. As said, a dynamic player. At any given second he could do most anything with the ball, and that's a serious threat to the opposing D. Other guys get easier shots. It's the same reason that i don't want pope as the starter. because pope doesn't pose that threat, and a sg really should be a threat to shoot from anywhere at any time.

Hmm. Odd.

Pope is definitely a threat to shoot from anywhere at any time. #1 irrational confidence guy on the team by far.

There's just a lot of games in which he doesn't seem like a threat to make it.

[Pharaoh]

It's the threat tobias poses. As said, a dynamic player. At any given second he could do most anything with the ball, and that's a serious threat to the opposing D. Other guys get easier shots. It's the same reason that i don't want pope as the starter. because pope doesn't pose that threat, and a sg really should be a threat to shoot from anywhere at any time.

Hmm. Odd.

Pope is definitely a threat to shoot from anywhere at any time. #1 irrational confidence guy on the team by far.

There's just a lot of games in which he doesn't seem like a threat to make it.

I believe that's what Darko was getting at: KCP is not a triple threat from the SG position.

He has improved his handling & penetration but it's the long ball holding him back.

IF KCP could hit the 3 at a league average rate it would open up the game for him

[zeebneeb]

It's the threat tobias poses. As said, a dynamic player. At any given second he could do most anything with the ball, and that's a serious threat to the opposing D. Other guys get easier shots. It's the same reason that i don't want pope as the starter. because pope doesn't pose that threat, and a sg really should be a threat to shoot from anywhere at any time.

Hmm. Odd.

Pope is definitely a threat to shoot from anywhere at any time. #1 irrational confidence guy on the team by far.

There's just a lot of games in which he doesn't seem like a threat to make it.

I believe that's what Darko was getting at: KCP is not a triple threat from the SG position.

He has improved his handling & penetration but it's the long ball holding him back.

IF KCP could hit the 3 at a league average rate it would open up the game for him

I fully expect that this year. His sophomore year percentage was absolutely fine so if he gets back to that, he'll be perfect.

This is Pope's year to shine. We all know he can defend. We all know he's the guy that gets everyone going and makes the hustle play time and time again. It's his decision making on offense that has to improve, and if it does, the sky's the limit.

He took more, and made more in his sophomore year (.345 5.4 per game) then he did last year. If he repeats that this year alongside his defense it could be all-star talk. I expect another leap from him this year. 16-18 ppg. At the very least I expect a much higher 3p% overall.

[theBigLip]

Two points I'd like to make.

1) As a team, as we play better together, we will get better 3 point looks, so our percentages should go up. This was noted in the last set of data. It also explains why guys like Dellavadova are probably over-rated for their 3 pt %.

2) I would still like to get a better backup SG. Maybe that person is on our roster already, but if no one steps up, I'l like us to get someone who can come in and nail 3s. I think this could be the target of a Baynes trade.

[mattao313]

Two points I'd like to make.

1) As a team, as we play better together, we will get better 3 point looks, so our percentages should go up. This was noted in the last set of data. It also explains why guys like Dellavadova are probably over-rated for their 3 pt %.

This is how I feel. The offense seems to really struggle to create easy baskets. It was a time last season if KCP wasn't in transition the second easiest shot was Morris taking a fadeaway. That right their I feel is a huge problem much larger than just looking at 3pt shots.

[Todd3]

We already got the 5th most uncontested 3s last year. The problem was we couldn't make them (3rd worst uncontested 3FG%).

That is why we couldn't generate more easy looks at the rim. Because defenses packed the paint and gave us the 3 instead.

Which is why we need better 3pt shooters - to open up more easy looks at the rim and less wasted possessions clanking 3s.

[Joe Berry]

http://bballbreakdown.com/2016/09/07/proving-grounds-kentavious-caldwell-pope/

A little bit more insight about KCP & his 3pt shooting.

This type of off-balance, low-percentage shot was an all too common occurrence for Caldwell-Pope in 2015-16. Only 84.2 percent of KCP’s three-point field goals last year were assisted, a well below-average number for someone with limited creation abilities. By comparison, 92 percent of Klay Thompson’s 3-point field goals were assisted, and Thompson is a far better creator than Caldwell-Pope.

By simply improving his shot selection and not forcing unassisted 3-point attempts, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can greatly improve shooting. Should he focus on becoming more of a catch-and-shoot wing and utilizing the pre-shot techniques he already knows, he can become the “Three-and-D” wing the Pistons desperately need in order to become a more dynamic offense.

I agree with a little bit more focus and improved decision making KCP already can improve his percentage, he still has to work on a more consistent technique of course, but he can absolutely get there in my opinion.

[Pharaoh]

I believe the lack of assisted 3s for KCP stems from our offense.

RJ & Dre run the PnR over and over with option 1 being a RJ drive, option 2 being a RJ floater, option 3 being a RJ jumper, option 4 being a RJ step back, option 5 being Dre and everyone else watching and waiting for the dish

[zeebneeb]

I believe the lack of assisted 3s for KCP stems from our offense.

RJ & Dre run the PnR over and over with option 1 being a RJ drive, option 2 being a RJ floater, option 3 being a RJ jumper, option 4 being a RJ step back, option 5 being Dre and everyone else watching and waiting for the dish

In stans defense he did say the offense would be extremely limited last year, and when he traded for Harris, it probably went right back to basics.

His playbook is much larger then whats been shown and I think this year with a full training camp we'll see that.

[mattao313]

I believe the lack of assisted 3s for KCP stems from our offense.

RJ & Dre run the PnR over and over with option 1 being a RJ drive, option 2 being a RJ floater, option 3 being a RJ jumper, option 4 being a RJ step back, option 5 being Dre and everyone else watching and waiting for the dish

In stans defense he did say the offense would be extremely limited last year, and when he traded for Harris, it probably went right back to basics.

His playbook is much larger then whats been shown and I think this year with a full training camp we'll see that.

I hope so, he has acquired all these versatile players he better have a versatile offense as well.

[Pharaoh]

We need to take advantage of Harris offensively.

Remember that article before he was a FA about being a quality 4?

I wanna see Harris in the PnR with Dre, Mook...make them switch!

[DBC10]

I believe the lack of assisted 3s for KCP stems from our offense.

RJ & Dre run the PnR over and over with option 1 being a RJ drive, option 2 being a RJ floater, option 3 being a RJ jumper, option 4 being a RJ step back, option 5 being Dre and everyone else watching and waiting for the dish

Spot on. We often live and die by RJ who's playing style minus the athletic ability and the triple doubles is similar to Westbrook. Which also explains his pedestrian assist numbers this year too compared to his insane usage rate.

If KCP is more in rhythm with everyone touching the ball to pass out of collapses and drives, I think KCP could see a boost in his 3 point shooting. I mean, he's a willing shooter, that's for sure and he's shown flashes of being clutch during the playoffs too. The key to this year will be getting the ball out of RJ's hands a bit and running more team oriented sets.

I'd love to see some pinch post action with one of Morris or Tobias with KCP making a hard cut or faking a cut for a midrange/3 ball.

[mattao313]

I believe the lack of assisted 3s for KCP stems from our offense.

RJ & Dre run the PnR over and over with option 1 being a RJ drive, option 2 being a RJ floater, option 3 being a RJ jumper, option 4 being a RJ step back, option 5 being Dre and everyone else watching and waiting for the dish

Spot on. We often live and die by RJ who's playing style minus the athletic ability and the triple doubles is similar to Westbrook. Which also explains his pedestrian assist numbers this year too compared to his insane usage rate.

If KCP is more in rhythm with everyone touching the ball to pass out of collapses and drives, I think KCP could see a boost in his 3 point shooting. I mean, he's a willing shooter, that's for sure and he's shown flashes of being clutch during the playoffs too. The key to this year will be getting the ball out of RJ's hands a bit and running more team oriented sets.

I'd love to see some pinch post action with one of Morris or Tobias with KCP making a hard cut or faking a cut for a midrange/3 ball.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I was just watching one of Bball Breakdowns vids on Youtube about the triangle and I was thinking why can't we run some of that stuff instead of Reggie endless pick n roll or Morris contested iso fadeaways. So we aren't reliant on guys just chucking 3's get some easy buckets

[DBC10]

I believe the lack of assisted 3s for KCP stems from our offense.

RJ & Dre run the PnR over and over with option 1 being a RJ drive, option 2 being a RJ floater, option 3 being a RJ jumper, option 4 being a RJ step back, option 5 being Dre and everyone else watching and waiting for the dish

Spot on. We often live and die by RJ who's playing style minus the athletic ability and the triple doubles is similar to Westbrook. Which also explains his pedestrian assist numbers this year too compared to his insane usage rate.

If KCP is more in rhythm with everyone touching the ball to pass out of collapses and drives, I think KCP could see a boost in his 3 point shooting. I mean, he's a willing shooter, that's for sure and he's shown flashes of being clutch during the playoffs too. The key to this year will be getting the ball out of RJ's hands a bit and running more team oriented sets.

I'd love to see some pinch post action with one of Morris or Tobias with KCP making a hard cut or faking a cut for a midrange/3 ball.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I was just watching one of Bball Breakdowns vids on Youtube about the triangle and I was thinking why can't we run some of that stuff instead of Reggie endless pick n roll or Morris contested iso fadeaways. So we aren't reliant on guys just chucking 3's get some easy buckets

Yeah, BBallbreakdown has some good stuff regarding the triangle and specific plays that are money. I think by and large, most (smart) teams do take some form of idea of the Triangle, i know the Spurs and Warriors do a ton of triangle related sets all the time. I don't think we have the personnel to execute the read and react type offense that's the Triangle on a consistent basis. With Morris, RJ, and Dre being black holes, they would have to change up their games first since they get the majority of our starting 5's on ball possessions on any given play. I don't think they're good enough passers or reactors in that regard, which is kind of sad since RJ is more of a half court oriented player since he never pushes pace on the fast break.

[mattao313]

Spot on. We often live and die by RJ who's playing style minus the athletic ability and the triple doubles is similar to Westbrook. Which also explains his pedestrian assist numbers this year too compared to his insane usage rate.

If KCP is more in rhythm with everyone touching the ball to pass out of collapses and drives, I think KCP could see a boost in his 3 point shooting. I mean, he's a willing shooter, that's for sure and he's shown flashes of being clutch during the playoffs too. The key to this year will be getting the ball out of RJ's hands a bit and running more team oriented sets.

I'd love to see some pinch post action with one of Morris or Tobias with KCP making a hard cut or faking a cut for a midrange/3 ball.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I was just watching one of Bball Breakdowns vids on Youtube about the triangle and I was thinking why can't we run some of that stuff instead of Reggie endless pick n roll or Morris contested iso fadeaways. So we aren't reliant on guys just chucking 3's get some easy buckets

Yeah, BBallbreakdown has some good stuff regarding the triangle and specific plays that are money. I think by and large, most (smart) teams do take some form of idea of the Triangle, i know the Spurs and Warriors do a ton of triangle related sets all the time. I don't think we have the personnel to execute the read and react type offense that's the Triangle on a consistent basis. With Morris, RJ, and Dre being black holes, they would have to change up their games first since they get the majority of our starting 5's on ball possessions on any given play. I don't think they're good enough passers or reactors in that regard, which is kind of sad since RJ is more of a half court oriented player since he never pushes pace on the fast break.

Oh yeah I agree we can't only run the Triangle but it has sets just like you said, using the pinch post and player movement around that.

[DetroitSho]

In other words, the difference was all Morris/Bullock, and if they shoot 45-50% from 3 again next year, we'll be a slightly above average 3P team.

Why is the 3pt so important to you? A 3pt shot stopped a bullet going to your mother's head?

Lolololololol I just blurted out laughing and woke up my son. Hilarious.

[MrBigShot]

Suddenly the 3 in Todd3 makes so much sense