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It was not this. This is not a rag on LeBron moment because a lot of teams and players will do this down the stretch and it looks great when it goes in, but you can normally get a better look than a contested pull-up three with time on the shot-clock. LeBron shot 31.6% from pull-up 3s this year which would lead to a ~94.8 offensive rating.

For the shot to be classified as an above average shot, a player should shoot above 38.3% from pull-up threes (probably a little less than this since half-court offense is less efficient than transition offense).

Here are the list of players (this regular season and min 100 pull-up 3 attempts) that fit this description (from most to least efficient:

Steph Curry

Malcolm Brogdon

Buddy Hield

Kevin Huerter

Kawhi Leonard

Desmond Bane

Klay Thompson

Tyrese Haliburton

Alec Burks

Jamal Murray

Jevon Carter

Donovan Mitchell

Darius Garland

Caris LeVert

Tyrese Maxey

D’Lo Russell

Even these players where that shot would be considered above league average efficiency, shouldn't be taking that shot every time. It is much more important to use the shot as a threat to create even more efficient shots for yourself (in the paint) or for others (kick outs for wide open threes or shots in the paint).

Eh, it's LeBron. Murray was playing off him and he's earned the right to take that shot if he's feeling it. It might not have been a great decision in the moment, given that he hadn't made a three all game and he'd been cooking Murray down the stretch, but I can't kill him for it. I was rooting for Denver and I was both happy he tried it and relieved that he missed.

I don't have the numbers, but by the eye test and memory, LeBron has always seemed really good taking side step off the dribble threes going LEFT in these end game, iso/staredown situations. This one was off a right to left though the legs crossover, but not a left hand dribble.

Like this:


Or this:

he had murrray, holding his shorts tired and he shot a pullup 3 that he didnt have the legs to hit. L . then he turned the rock over after.

When it goes in.

When Curry or Dame who shot it.

That gave them a for sure 2 for 1 situation and it was a good look. I can't see how that isn't a good shot.

dhsilv2 wrote:That gave them a for sure 2 for 1 situation and it was a good look. I can't see how that isn't a good shot.

Because it’s Lebron, who isn’t a good pull up 3 point shooter. Also he’s off balance as he shoots it. Anyone else on the court receiving a pass and taking a 3 is probably a higher probability of going in than that.

Harry Garris wrote:

dhsilv2 wrote:That gave them a for sure 2 for 1 situation and it was a good look. I can't see how that isn't a good shot.

Because it’s Lebron, who isn’t a good pull up 3 point shooter. Also he’s off balance as he shoots it. Anyone else on the court receiving a pass and taking a 3 is probably a higher probability of going in than that.

He's wide open with his name off balance. He could have squared it up better sure. That shot however reads "shot clock" all day to me and he had the ball to make it.

dhsilv2 wrote:That gave them a for sure 2 for 1 situation and it was a good look. I can't see how that isn't a good shot.

It was too early for a 2 for 1, it gave that away to Denver if they'd needed it.

For Kyle Lowry - all the time

As others pointed out: LeBron has earned the right to take big shots, he was open enough, and it was good clock management. I have no real issues with this shot choice.

when it goes in...

Myth wrote:As others pointed out: LeBron has earned the right to take big shots, he was open enough, and it was good clock management. I have no real issues with this shot choice.

It was 100% not good clock management.

ellobo wrote:Eh, it's LeBron. Murray was playing off him and he's earned the right to take that shot if he's feeling it. It might not have been a great decision in the moment, given that he hadn't made a three all game and he'd been cooking Murray down the stretch, but I can't kill him for it. I was rooting for Denver and I was both happy he tried it and relieved that he missed.

Exactly how i feel. He's not the greatest three point shooter but he's lebron james and i've seen him hit daggers a lot over the years.
Murray was playing way off him (nuggets to handle these switches better btw) and it's honestly not a horrible shot for Lebron.

LEbron 32% on RS

25% on playoffs

thats a very bad shoot, 75% of no points.

When it's Curry before 5 minutes left in the 4th quarter.

LeBron was never a shooter even with his game winners over the Raptors, Bulls and Pacers.

You should be clapping your hands if 38 year old LeBron is taking jumpshots at the end of the game.

eminence wrote:

dhsilv2 wrote:That gave them a for sure 2 for 1 situation and it was a good look. I can't see how that isn't a good shot.

It was too early for a 2 for 1, it gave that away to Denver if they'd needed it.

I guess you're technically right, the best kind. But it left just under 48 and one would assume Denver would want to milk the clock, but you're right that would have given Denver that option, if they saw a benefit there with a lead at the end of the game.

dhsilv2 wrote:

eminence wrote:

dhsilv2 wrote:That gave them a for sure 2 for 1 situation and it was a good look. I can't see how that isn't a good shot.

It was too early for a 2 for 1, it gave that away to Denver if they'd needed it.

I guess you're technically right, the best kind. But it left just under 48 and one would assume Denver would want to milk the clock, but you're right that would have given Denver that option, if they saw a benefit there with a lead at the end of the game.

You want to be shooting between 30-35 seconds to get a decent 2 for 1 at the end of quarters. Lower in end of game situations due to the timeout to advance the ball rule.

Denver actually did take it (Jokic went to the line with 26 seconds left, a little on the late side, but still would've given them it) but didn't need it because Jokic made the FTs.

LA was closer to getting a 3 for 2 if they'd gone a bit quicker than to securing a 2 for 1.