Interesting stat
Looking at hoopdata.com’s shot location data. It is interesting that power forwards in the NBA average around 235 shot attempts in the 16-23 foot range while small forwards average around 190 shot attempts at that range. What’s also interesting is that power forwards on average hit about 41% of those shots while small forwards hit 36%.
What’s interesting and actually gives PGS’s plan a lot of support is that Josh would actually be above average relative to his FG% from that range as a small forward. Granted, Josh had 411 shot attempts at that range on the year. Only Kobe Bryant had more at that range. Everyone talks about how Josh shouldn’t shoot those though.
LeBron James 347 attempts, 39%
Carmelo Anthony 308 attempts, 35%
Andre Iguodala 213 attempts, 31%
Luol Deng 234 attempts, 35%
What’s the biggest difference between these guys and Josh? LeBron was assisted on 21% of his shots. Anthony was assisted on 29% of his shots. Iguodala 31%. Deng 55%.
Josh Smith was assisted on 75% of his shot attempts in the 16-23 foot range. What that tells me is that the design of the offense had him in position to be the outlet option in that range, and his shot attempt total has more to do with offensive design than him wandering around the perimeter.
More Data
In the 2011-2012 season, the average combined shot attempts from 16-23 feet and behind the 3 point line for each position, and the respective average field goal percentage on these shots (note that hoopdata uses eFG% on three point shots and not traditional FG%):
Point Guards: 161 (16-23 feet) at 38.9%, 171 (three point) with an eFG% of 52.1
Shooting Guards: 180 (16-23 feet) at 43%, 206 (three point) with an eFG% of 55.1
Small Forwards: 163 (16-23 feet) at 36.9%, 190 (three point) with an eFG% of 54.0
Power Forwards: 235 (16-23 feet) at 41.4%, 78 (three point) with an eFG% of 52.1
Centers: 89 (16-23 feet) at 39.8%, 17 (three point) with an eFG% of 46.2
What I've told people all along. The PF is the release valve for offense and results in mid-range shooting, usually from the high elbow. Larry Drew and the Hawks organization has actually been encouraging Josh Smith to take mid-range jumpers and further more with his quickness at the 4 spot he is going to get more of them off than normal.
Here as a SF we see Josh in Marvin's role and he has more limited options creating shots so the Hawks have to use the size of Horford and Zaza to set some screens and Joe pops open for a pretty shot.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZRhv9V9dsI[/youtube]
Further here's a relatively weak post defender in Troy Murphy using his size to force Smith into a tough shot. Thats why he stands at the elbow. But even further then there's a relative elite post defender in Kobe Bryant and he can't do much with Josh. And even fouled Smith it should have been an and-1.
http://www.peachtreehoops.com/2012/7/19 ... -you-think
. Josh throwing alley oops = 
.