RealGM

Indiana’s offensive approach is diametrically opposed to the league’s best team. The Rockets are notorious for avoiding midrange shots; the Pacers hover nearly just as far above the league average in how often they take long twos as the Rockets are beneath it. The median team shoots from the 16- to 23-foot range about 12 percent of the time; Houston takes 4.4 percent of its shots from that distance, while Indiana takes a whopping 19.3 percent of its shots from there.

The contrasts in shot selection don’t end with midrange jumpers. Unlike the Rockets, who take a league-high 50 percent of their shots from 3-point range and get to the free-throw line at the second highest clip in the league, the Pacers rank among the NBA’s bottom six in both 3-point attempt rate and free-throw attempt rate.

A fair amount of that seems to stem from coach Nate McMillan’s offensive philosophy, which encourages pulling the trigger quickly if a defender is allowing the solid jump-shooting team more than a few feet of space. “We talk about playing early, playing late,” McMillan told me. “If you have an open look or a rim attempt early (in the shot clock), take it. If you don’t, then make teams defend. But when we have open looks, we want to take them.” The Pacers have often done that, with the caveat being that, in today’s NBA, those midrange attempts are often ones the defense would like for Indiana to take.

Wizop wrote:shooting percentage is a function of shot selection. I agree you shouldn't pass up open shots.

also plays into the Quinn Buckner drinking game. if I've already posted it, I apologize for the duplication. you drink when Quinn says it was a good shot, he just missed it. or you can drink when he says good defense, they just made it. perhaps one player could play Pacer misses and the other opponent makes.

Sent from my phone.

boomershadow wrote:

Wizop wrote:shooting percentage is a function of shot selection. I agree you shouldn't pass up open shots.

also plays into the Quinn Buckner drinking game. if I've already posted it, I apologize for the duplication. you drink when Quinn says it was a good shot, he just missed it. or you can drink when he says good defense, they just made it. perhaps one player could play Pacer misses and the other opponent makes.

Sent from my phone.

I'm just glad I'm not the only person who has noticed this.

Wizop wrote:shooting percentage is a function of shot selection. I agree you shouldn't pass up open shots.

also plays into the Quinn Buckner drinking game. if I've already posted it, I apologize for the duplication. you drink when Quinn says it was a good shot, he just missed it. or you can drink when he says good defense, they just made it. perhaps one player could play Pacer misses and the other opponent makes.

Sent from my phone.