Post#1303 » by payitforward » Mon Nov 9, 2020 4:46 pm
If you look at Rui's box score numbers for everything but scoring, Rui was about as productive as an average NBA 4 in that stuff. I'd say that's pretty good for a rookie. The most notable improvements one would hope for are in defensive rebounding & blocked shots.
But, Rui's big problem was scoring -- where he was nowhere near as productive as an average NBA 4. & that's despite the fact that he got to the line at a rate a little bit above average, & his FT% was well above average too.
NBA PFs, overall, are more productive shooting the 3 than the 2. Their 2 pt%s are inflated by some number of easy buckets, scores that come to every player without reflecting any special skill. Those are always 2 pointers. Presumably, that is why, on average, 40% of an NBA PFs shots are 3 pointers.
But, only 16% of Rui's shots were 3PAs. For that reason, even if he'd shot 40% on 3's, rather than 28.7%, he would still have been a below average scorer for an NBA 4.
But, of course, he can't shoot them in volume unless he shoots them reasonably well. & if he doesn't, he'll be out of the league in a few years. Or, at best, he'll be a marginal journeyman.
All improvement is good -- obviously -- but Rui Hachimura's entire career depends on his becoming a good 3-point shooter.
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