RealGM

Hi does anyone know the definition of a close shot that they record on 82games.com? I got into a discussion with my roommates about Dirk and i said he was primarily a jump shooting big man and that he did not get a lot of his points in the painted area. They believed otherwise and said he gets at least 50% from that area. When I checked 82games my suspicion was confirmed. Dirk is primarily a jump shooter. They then went on to say well if you want to include the painted area, this should include a 15 ft radius, an arc but for the paint. I said that was ludicrous because a 15 ft shot isn't really all that close. So if anyone could tell me how close a close shot is, distance wise, it would be greatly appreciated.

PS if someone could tell me how to argue with people that change a close shot from 2ft - 15ft, it would be helpful. As this is the type of lunacy I have to deal with

First, you should explain that between "close" shots and "long range" shots is the wonderful world of the "mid range" shot (very conveniently named!)

Then, you should make them watch this video over and over until they submit to your will:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTX67oKzjUA[/youtube]

After they accept the existence of the mid-range, you should show them Dirk's hot spot chart, that shows 490 or so shots in the short/mid range area and another 550 shots or so in the long/mid range area, and only 310 in the close range area.

Then, slap them for me.

Hoopdata.com has a good list in terms of shot location: http://hoopdata.com/player.aspx?name=Dirk%20Nowitzki

Nowitzki is mainly a midrange jump shooter (well, probably the best midpost player you can find right now in the world and he has even a case to be the best All-Time). Nearly 70% of his shot attempts are from 10 to 23 ft.
A close shot on 82games.com is everything not listed as a jump shot (or set shot). It doesn't cover the whole painted area. Around 47% of Nowitzki's shot attempts are between the rim and 15ft. Thus it seems like your friend is right.

yea i said Dirk shot probably around 10ft and out while they said it was closer to 4ft and out. It started because we were arguing who would be a better pick and roll player with lebron. Amare or Dirk? I said Amare because he's the best finisher in the NBA today and has a solid jumper. While Dirk will mostly be a pick and pop player. They argued that it wasn't true. That Dirk gets atleast 50% of his shots from close to 2ft and in. I was like you're insane Dirk may get 2 shots a game at 2ft but definitely not 50% and he's not close to the finisher that Amare is. So they revised their statement saying well ok maybe he doesn't get layups but he gets his shots at 4ft and in on post ups. I insisted they were idiots and that Dirk does not operate within 4 ft but either at the top of the key or in the mid post which would be closer to 12 ft. That's when I checked 82games.com and jumpshots were like 70-80% of his shots. They picked the close shot and said what is that considered? I said idk maybe the painted area. So they said your statistic is wrong then, if it is the paint because it should be a 15ft arc around not just the rectangle. But 15 ft is not a close shot! the added area would only increase his percentage and it's still not close to 50%.

Then, slap them for me.

Trust me i wanted to ...

thanks for the responses ... i was looking where to find the hotspot chart at nba.com