Is Lebron protecting his FG%?

[Rasho_libre]

There's a difference between taking smart shots and being efficient vs. trying to protect your stats and hurting your team.

Yes the 2x defending champ and 4 of 5 last mvp's is hurting the team? Lol you guys ammo is literally at an all time low right now. The guy that spearheaded a 27 win streak is a "hurt his team" type of player.

[Rasho_libre]

When his shot is not falling or he's not feeling it he tries to affect the game in other ways. He could keep forcing jumpers when his shot hasn't been in a rhythm for a couple games, but theres no point.

They wanna see fadeaway threes over 3 defenders. It's 11 years in and they still can't accept he knows whats winning and effecient brand of basketball is. But again maybe all that crow has gotten to their heads.

[52-12-7]

You guys are noticing this now? He has been doing this ever since his 60%+ streak last year. He is trying way too hard to protect this year though and it's really annoying.

[TheOUTLAW]

I saw him pass up some open shots and make great passes for even better shots. I can't believe people whine over this nonsense

[Don Draper]

I saw him pass up some open shots and make great passes for even better shots. I can't believe people whine over this nonsense

Which plays? That third quarter especially he passed up open shots to pass to guys that weren't as open as he was.

Newsflash: Anyone that criticizes Lebron doesn't automatically hate him. My god you guys are sensitive bunch.

[roldy]

From watching the game, it does appear as if he's protecting his FG%.

[Doctor MJ]

I'm a Lebron fan but I'm convinced he's protecting his FG%. I just watched him pass up at least 5 wide open 3s (even a corner 3). I understand good shot selection but this is ridiculous. It's not like he can't shoot them and his % hasn't recently been bad so it can't be a confidence issue.

First let's be clear: It's hard to imagine he's actually chasing FG%. If he's chasing %, it's going to be a number like TS% which factors everything in. There were players in the past (Wilt) who chased FG% and ignored other things (like FT%), but such behavior on a team with modern stat leanings wouldn't make sense.

Now, here's the question: When is it you think he started protecting his % ?

If the answer is any time in the past 3 years, that's weird because his scoring per minute is right in range where it's been his whole time in Miami.

If the answer is when he came to Miami, that's weird because he shot a lower % when he came to Miami.

See what I'm saying here: If the trend were glaring, we'd see something more clear in the data. We don't.

That doesn't mean his judgment is perfect by any means, but imperfect judgment is not chasing stats.

[bballcool34]

I'm a Lebron fan but I'm convinced he's protecting his FG%. I just watched him pass up at least 5 wide open 3s (even a corner 3). I understand good shot selection but this is ridiculous. It's not like he can't shoot them and his % hasn't recently been bad so it can't be a confidence issue.

First let's be clear: It's hard to imagine he's actually chasing FG%. If he's chasing %, it's going to be a number like TS% which factors everything in. There were players in the past (Wilt) who chased FG% and ignored other things (like FT%), but such behavior on a team with modern stat leanings wouldn't make sense.

Your post is good, but Lebron and Wade after games aren't going like "Omgz bro I had a 66% TS this game" in the locker room..that kind of talk is still reserved for FG%.

[Grammer Nazi]

Sounds like someone needs to ban stat sheets.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Miami:
50.4% FG. league leader
38.6% 3PT, 6th in NBA
.559 eFG%, league leader

Seems like he's taking the shots he should be taking. I mean, look, it's only a problem if it is hurting the teams offense.

...but yes, he might be, but unless it becomes an issue for the team, it is a trivial complaint really.

Considering he is averaging higher numbers than those three stats, you could argue that he is hurting the offense by not taking the shots.

With that sad, it won't be a problem till the Heat start dropping games.

[bigboi]

I'm a Lebron fan but I'm convinced he's protecting his FG%. I just watched him pass up at least 5 wide open 3s (even a corner 3). I understand good shot selection but this is ridiculous. It's not like he can't shoot them and his % hasn't recently been bad so it can't be a confidence issue.

First let's be clear: It's hard to imagine he's actually chasing FG%. If he's chasing %, it's going to be a number like TS% which factors everything in. There were players in the past (Wilt) who chased FG% and ignored other things (like FT%), but such behavior on a team with modern stat leanings wouldn't make sense.

Now, here's the question: When is it you think he started protecting his % ?

If the answer is any time in the past 3 years, that's weird because his scoring per minute is right in range where it's been his whole time in Miami.

If the answer is when he came to Miami, that's weird because he shot a lower % when he came to Miami.

See what I'm saying here: If the trend were glaring, we'd see something more clear in the data. We don't.

That doesn't mean his judgment is perfect by any means, but imperfect judgment is not chasing stats.

Let's be real here. I guarantee that Lebron doesn't know what TS is or even cares about what it is. It's clearly FG%

[mademan]

It's the best offense in the league and historically one of the best of all time. When they lose, it's almost always because of defense or rebounding. How can being selective and getting better shots hurting the team?

*And he rarely passes up open corner 3's. He just missed 2 earlier and doesn't like to continue shooting when he starts missing.

[Don Draper]

First let's be clear: It's hard to imagine he's actually chasing FG%. If he's chasing %, it's going to be a number like TS% which factors everything in. There were players in the past (Wilt) who chased FG% and ignored other things (like FT%), but such behavior on a team with modern stat leanings wouldn't make sense.

Now, here's the question: When is it you think he started protecting his % ?

If the answer is any time in the past 3 years, that's weird because his scoring per minute is right in range where it's been his whole time in Miami.

If the answer is when he came to Miami, that's weird because he shot a lower % when he came to Miami.

See what I'm saying here: If the trend were glaring, we'd see something more clear in the data. We don't.

That doesn't mean his judgment is perfect by any means, but imperfect judgment is not chasing stats.

I disagree that it has to be glaring. It can be subtle. I remember an article where Lebron said something like he was trying to get his fg% to over 60% or something. I can't find the article, but I'm sure someone will post it.

Regardless, what I saw tonight was very disappointing. Maybe he was gunning for a triple double or something, but it was clear he was passing up wide open shot for seemingly no reason. Lebron is great player but he's going to have to take those shots against good/smart defenses to keep them honest. After the Spurs series he of all people should know this.

3rd quarter the Cavs went to a prevent defense and it worked well b/c they cut off Miami's penetration in the half court.

[dautjazz]

I am no Lebron, but I pass up wide upon shots all the time, and when asked why, it's always one of the two: someone else had a better look or I'm not feeling it. While there is a chance that he may be protecting his % some, I think he does it more because he feels that taking that shot is a worse option than passing it.

[bruh]

He certainly is. It not necessarily a BAD thing, but it feels like he's doing it to be impressive and show the media he's "improved" like he said he did. I mean he talked about his "improved" jumper last season that kinda vanished in the finals so his high fg% doesn't really impress me. Though I will say even if he wasn't protecting it it would probably still be pretty efficient.

[KyletheDingbat]

I wouldn't be surprised if he's doing to keep himself engaged, like a game-within-the-season. I also wouldn't be surprised if he's doing it to separate himself from other legends, like many years from now people will say "but MJ never shot 60%", that sort of thing.

[Boarder Patrol]

FWIW, LeBron pretty much stopped shooting three's altogether after he got to 40% last year. He definitely pads his percentages / protects them, whatever.

I don't see how it really hurts the team though. Efficient looks are a GOOD thing. I don't see how setting a statistical goal for yourself is a bad thing either, if it helps you get better and produce more wins for your team (them rings). If he were going for, say, 32 points, and he disregarded efficiency or team play, then I'd mind, but creating for others and going for the best looks possible? I can't hate on that.

That being said, he has to realize that he has to be in attack mode sometimes. The commentators were even saying that 16 shots against Indiana wasn't gonna cut it, and I agree. He has to switch to a new gear when he's playing really elite teams in big games.

[Speedlot]

Proecting your FG% is a good thing..

[sabonis]

I'm a Lebron fan but I'm convinced he's protecting his FG%. I just watched him pass up at least 5 wide open 3s (even a corner 3). I understand good shot selection but this is ridiculous. It's not like he can't shoot them and his % hasn't recently been bad so it can't be a confidence issue.

his average 3pt attempts in Miami is 3.13 in 239 games, this season he's attempting 3.05 per game

so the answer to your question, statistically is: No.

[Don Draper]

his average 3pt attempts in Miami is 3.13 in 239 games, this season he's attempting 3.05 per game

so the answer to your question, statistically is: No.

This has nothing to do with statistics and everything to do with the type of shots he's passing up. If you can't understand this then I can't help you.