76ciology wrote:PhilasFinest wrote:76ciology wrote:
http://vorped.com/1-nba/2015-2016/player/1110/russell-westbrook/shotchart/
Westbrook.42% on mid range, he's a really good mid range shooter.
Like Westbrook, LBJ can shoot 35% at upper left corner as their triple threat position (sweet spot). Career 1.5makes at .340% per game at threes.
They are not good shooters but both guys are threats. And when you are a threat, you force defender to not sag off giving you an easier time to penetrate.
Neither LeBron or Westbrook were very good shooters when they were entering the NBA
LeBron was shooting 35% on 3s when he was 20, I believe.
Nevertheless, point is.. You need to have a good jumper and it's non negotiable. How good is what's up for debate. Maybe a GOAT level athleticism of westbrook/LBJ wouldn't require that.
While Simmons is currently on Rondo/Okafor level with his shooting. And I hope that issue with shooting hand isn't real.
Offense has been like 90% shooting (just a guess). Even guys like CJ and Booker are abusing this reality. Gone are the days of fancy dunks, passing and dribbling. Shooting is a premium.
I agree you certainly have to become a respectable shooter. 150%.
LeBron shot 35% in his second year, yes. He also failed to reach 35+% from 3 until he was 27 after that.
Career LeBron is a 34% 3PT shooter and 74% FT. Not Steph Curry like shooting, but he's developed into a good enough shooter through volume that you have to respect it despite somewhat average career %'s, which opens up his ability to attack and create where he excels.
Rajon Rondo- Shot 58 and 57% from the line in his 2 years at UK. His BEST season in his career-64.7% from the line (in 06/07)-Career-60.6%. He clearly hasn't improved his shot (even though I believe Ive seen something about his mid range jumper actually being more effective as of late). He will never be a good shooter (he's 30)
Jahlil Okafor- Shot 51% from the line at Duke. He improved to 68.8% this year with the Sixers. He's trending upwards as a shooter and showed improved range in game situations as well. Id say he could at LEAST become a Blake Griffin level shooter over the next few years, with upside to be even better.
Blake Griffin- Shot 58 and 59% FT in 2 years at OK. After 2 years in the NBA, he started to incrementally build on his shooting both from the line and in game. It jumped to 66 in year 3, to 71-72-72.7 now. His Midrange jumper is the best its been and even his 3PT shot is evolving to at least warrant attention on limited attempts (34 and 33% past 2 years)
Anthony Davis- 70% FT in freshman year at UK. Improved over 1st 3 years in the NBA (75-79-81) and it expanded into his game on the floor as well. This past year, he took 1.8 3PT a game and shot 32.4%. Nowhere near good, but you've gotta respect his ability to let it go from outside and make it...opening up the floor and his game.
Im not insinuating FT% meaning everything or the fact that some guys simply can't shoot. But the 2 seem to go hand in hand with cases of guys becoming better shooters.
Ben Simmons - 67% FT on almost 300 attempts starts him off with a much better BASE then most of these cases. His forms not flawed and his ability to handle,pass and finish inside isn't going anywhere.
After looking into this lately...I don't think the issue is Simmons CAN'T shoot. I think it is he simply DOESN'T shoot. Once he and/or coaching realizes this, I believe we will see him expand. I am not as worried about this issue nearly as much as I was a few weeks ago.
Ben Simmons is the pick. Im now 100% on Team Simmons.
