How good of a perimeter shooter was Dr. J?

SHAQ32 · Post #1 » by **SHAQ32** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 1:00 am

The Doctor shot 32% from 3 in the ABA. He shot 26% for his career in the NBA; but the league average in his final season, 1986-87, for example, was only 30%.

How many ~25 ppg scorers from his era would you say were better or comparable shooters?

Post #2 » by **Goudelock** » Mon Jun 19, 2023 8:44 pm

SHAQ32 wrote:The Doctor shot 32% from 3 in the ABA. He shot 26% for his career in the NBA; but the league average in his final season, 1986-87, for example, was only 30%.

How many ~25 ppg scorers from his era would you say were better or comparable shooters?

Not going to compare him to contemporaries since I don't have the knowledge of the era to do that, but from what I've seen, Dr. J was
treated similarly to someone like LeBron James or Jaylen Brown.

Someone who could and would shoot from distance and the midrange with skill, but also someone defenses would let have that jump shot since it was a better outcome than letting them take it to the rim.

And NO, I am not saying LeBron, Dr. J and Jaylen Brown are all on the same tier.

kcktiny · Post #3 » by **kcktiny** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 12:45 am

Loved the fact that from either side of the key on 15 or so footers he always seemed to take bank shots.

70sFan · Post #4 » by **70sFan** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 6:08 am

I agree with Goudelock, Julius was a competent but inconsistent shooter. I don't really get where the lack of shooting narrative comes from, Julius had quite developed midrange game (like all perimeter stars from the 1970s).

migya · Post #5 » by **migya** » Tue Jun 20, 2023 7:20 am

I remember him having a sweet jumpshot.

Post #6 » by **tsherkin** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 8:26 am

70sFan wrote:I agree with Goudelock, Julius was a competent but inconsistent shooter. I don't really get where the lack of shooting narrative comes from, Julius had quite developed midrange game (like all perimeter stars from the 1970s).

This matches what I have seen. Certainly wasn't Alex English, but you didn't want to leave him open, plus he could elevate and shoot if he got the step and someone came with help. I recall a shot from the post as well. Not an ATG mid-range shooter but competent.

SHAQ32 · Post #7 » by **SHAQ32** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 10:29 pm

tsherkin wrote:
70sFan wrote:I agree with Goudelock, Julius was a competent but inconsistent shooter. I don't really get where the lack of shooting narrative comes from, Julius had quite developed midrange game (like all perimeter stars from the 1970s).

This matches what I have seen. Certainly wasn't Alex English, but you didn't want to leave him open, plus he could elevate and shoot if he got the step and someone came with help. I recall a shot from the post as well. Not an ATG mid-range shooter but competent.

Who are some guys today that you would consider competent shooters from range?

Cavsfansince84 · Post #8 » by **Cavsfansince84** » Wed Jun 21, 2023 10:36 pm

In terms of regular jump shot I'm not going to add anything(since I think its fairly known that he was an ok jump shooter) but just in terms of creativity and ability to make shots within the paint he was incredible. Not referring to dunks or shots at the rim but shots just in that area where he was up in the air. Finger rolls, bank shots etc. That's what stands out to me watching old footage of ABA Dr. J along with the absurd combo of length/hand size/athleticism he possessed back then.