NBA.com Power Rankings, interesting stats about two point shots

[SPURt]

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/powerrankings/11/09/week2/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6f

San Antonio (4-2)
Pace: 99.1 (19) OffRtg: 101.9 (9) DefRtg: 93.8 (4) NetRtg: +8.0 (4)
The jumpers were falling against Charlotte on Saturday (http://on.nba.com/1HnL33u), but the Spurs have taken 50.1 percent of their shots (http://stats.nba.com/team/#!/1610612759/stats/shooting/) from between the restricted area and the 3-point line, the third highest mark in the league and the team's highest mark since 2003-04. And that's not just about LaMarcus Aldridge.Kawhi Leonard ranks third in the league in mid-range attempts (http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/shooting/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&PerMode=Totals&DistanceRange=By%20Zone&sort=Mid-Range%20FGA&dir=1), and won't continue shooting 50 percent from there.
This week: @ SAC, @ POR, vs. PHI



I don't care about where the Spurs are placed or power rankings in general. I know we all expected to have more 2 pt jumpers flying this year, but I still found the stats he pointed out interesting. Something tells me the writer isn't a huge Spurs fan though.

[SpursforSix]

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/powerrankings/11/09/week2/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6f

San Antonio (4-2)
Pace: 99.1 (19) OffRtg: 101.9 (9) DefRtg: 93.8 (4) NetRtg: +8.0 (4)
The jumpers were falling against Charlotte on Saturday (http://on.nba.com/1HnL33u), but the Spurs have taken 50.1 percent of their shots (http://stats.nba.com/team/#!/1610612759/stats/shooting/) from between the restricted area and the 3-point line, the third highest mark in the league and the team's highest mark since 2003-04. And that's not just about LaMarcus Aldridge.Kawhi Leonard ranks third in the league in mid-range attempts (http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/shooting/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&PerMode=Totals&DistanceRange=By%20Zone&sort=Mid-Range%20FGA&dir=1), and won't continue shooting 50 percent from there.
This week: @ SAC, @ POR, vs. PHI



I don't care about where the Spurs are placed or power rankings in general. I know we all expected to have more 2 pt jumpers flying this year, but I still found the stats he pointed out interesting. Something tells me the writer isn't a huge Spurs fan though.

Interesting stat. Not sure if KL will end up at 50% but I don't know why he would have a significant drop off. His mechanics look great and he can get that shot up over almost anyone. And there is a big variance between the shortest and longest distances in the area in question.

[Lostwingman]

Kawhi needs to drive to the basket more really.

[SAGirl]

Interesting stat. Not sure if KL will end up at 50% but I don't know why he would have a significant drop off. His mechanics look great and he can get that shot up over almost anyone. And there is a big variance between the shortest and longest distances in the area in question.
Agree with you. I don't think there should be a huge drop off. He just has to be smart when its not falling and do other stuff. If its falling, by all means.

[JeffDuncan]

...
...Kawhi Leonard ranks third in the league in mid-range attempts (http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/shooting/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&PerMode=Totals&DistanceRange=By%20Zone&sort=Mid-Range%20FGA&dir=1), and won't continue shooting 50 percent from there.

Right, as Kawhi continues to improve he'll shoot better than 50% from that range.

[polandprzem]

With this core it was easy to anticipate how the spurs gonna play

[Spurtacular]

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/powerrankings/11/09/week2/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6f

San Antonio (4-2)
Pace: 99.1 (19) OffRtg: 101.9 (9) DefRtg: 93.8 (4) NetRtg: +8.0 (4)
The jumpers were falling against Charlotte on Saturday (http://on.nba.com/1HnL33u), but the Spurs have taken 50.1 percent of their shots (http://stats.nba.com/team/#!/1610612759/stats/shooting/) from between the restricted area and the 3-point line, the third highest mark in the league and the team's highest mark since 2003-04. And that's not just about LaMarcus Aldridge.Kawhi Leonard ranks third in the league in mid-range attempts (http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/shooting/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&PerMode=Totals&DistanceRange=By%20Zone&sort=Mid-Range%20FGA&dir=1), and won't continue shooting 50 percent from there.
This week: @ SAC, @ POR, vs. PHI



I don't care about where the Spurs are placed or power rankings in general. I know we all expected to have more 2 pt jumpers flying this year, but I still found the stats he pointed out interesting. Something tells me the writer isn't a huge Spurs fan though.

Pistons will cool, imo. But that's an interesting perspective.

[FkLA]

Interesting stat. Not sure if KL will end up at 50% but I don't know why he would have a significant drop off. His mechanics look great and he can get that shot up over almost anyone. And there is a big variance between the shortest and longest distances in the area in question.

Yeah pretty much. I've been saying it for years, his in between games is so smooth. Anybody that is surprised at how deadly he is from midrange simply hasn't been paying attention.

[cjw]

The league shot 58% last year on layups and 38% last year on jumpers. Adjusting out three pointers, it's closer to 39%.

What that doesn't take into account is contested vs. uncontested shots. I'd rather take an open 10 footer than take a contested shot at the rim.

[TDomination]

Like someone posted earlier, their just gonna have to be smart about it. If KL's jumpshot is not going, he needs to try to drive more or try to get someone else an easy look.

I don't mind him shooting a lot of jumpers because he's been hitting them, especially in rhythm. But if their not going in, please don't go Kobe on us and try to shoot you way out of it.

[SPURt]

Interesting stat. Not sure if KL will end up at 50% but I don't know why he would have a significant drop off. His mechanics look great and he can get that shot up over almost anyone. And there is a big variance between the shortest and longest distances in the area in question.

This was my initial reaction too. Maybe I am being over sensitive about the way he wrote it, but it feels like his intent was Kawhi's two point shooting will be a detriment to the Spurs over time. Sometimes I get uncomfortable with Kawhi's fade away because it's a difficult shot, but he's hitting it. In general, Kawhi has been taking good shots. I don't feel like Spurs force a lot of shots, other than maybe Tony at the rim sometimes to draw fouls.

[All Mighty Janitor]

Kawhi Leonard ranks third in the league in mid-range attempts (http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/shooting/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&PerMode=Totals&DistanceRange=By%20Zone&sort=Mid-Range%20FGA&dir=1), and won't continue shooting 50 percent from there,

Kawhi shot 50% in 2013-14 season. That was when I noticed his mid-range game was killer. He didn't shoot as well last season(44.3%, not terrible), but he played with the hurt hand and Pink Eye of Death so I wasn't sure what to make of the shooting that year. The volume and difficultly of his shots are higher than ever, but he's still hitting them. If he does shoot 50% from the mid-range would it even be a problem if he shoots a lot of them? He could get the defense to bite on all his fakes and open up driving lanes from the triple threat. Even if he doesn't shoot 50%, it going to be a big part of his game.

Also, when I was looking at his stats, I noticed something about his 3pt shooting; almost all(15 of 19) his 3 pointers this year have been "above the break" meaning NOT corner 3s. Last year he shot 28.4% from there. He is shooting 20% from there this season. That explains his bad 3pt%. On the flip side, he shot 44.8% from the corners last year. I don't need to state the obvious but I will anyway; for Kawhi to improve his 3pt% he must shoot more from the corners. Less obvious is how that's gonna happen...

I thought I should put my links. Stats under "Shot Area" section: http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/202695/stats/shooting/?Season=2014-15&SeasonType=Regular%20Season
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/202695/stats/shooting/

[TheMulletMan3000]

Kawhi needs to drive to the basket more really.

With Danny's bricks right now there is no spacing. We will probably see more drives when Danny starts shooting his usual percentages (and when they acclimate LMA to the offense).

[Kawhitstorm]

Right, as Kawhi continues to improve he'll shoot better than 50% from that range.

IKR, Chris Paul/Redick shot above 50% last season:lol

[TheMulletMan3000]

The Spurs are third in RPM power rankings behind GSW and Utah. Pretty good for a 40% new team...

[kawhidoyoudothistome]

http://www.nba.com/2015/news/powerrankings/11/09/week2/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt6f

San Antonio (4-2)
Pace: 99.1 (19) OffRtg: 101.9 (9) DefRtg: 93.8 (4) NetRtg: +8.0 (4)
The jumpers were falling against Charlotte on Saturday (http://on.nba.com/1HnL33u), but the Spurs have taken 50.1 percent of their shots (http://stats.nba.com/team/#!/1610612759/stats/shooting/) from between the restricted area and the 3-point line, the third highest mark in the league and the team's highest mark since 2003-04. And that's not just about LaMarcus Aldridge.Kawhi Leonard ranks third in the league in mid-range attempts (http://stats.nba.com/league/player/#!/shooting/?Season=2015-16&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&PerMode=Totals&DistanceRange=By%20Zone&sort=Mid-Range%20FGA&dir=1), and won't continue shooting 50 percent from there.
This week: @ SAC, @ POR, vs. PHI



I don't care about where the Spurs are placed or power rankings in general. I know we all expected to have more 2 pt jumpers flying this year, but I still found the stats he pointed out interesting. Something tells me the writer isn't a huge Spurs fan though.

It's possible to succeed with a mid-range game. The writer makes it seem like it's not what Kawhi does best.

[SpursforSix]

This was my initial reaction too. Maybe I am being over sensitive about the way he wrote it, but it feels like his intent was Kawhi's two point shooting will be a detriment to the Spurs over time. Sometimes I get uncomfortable with Kawhi's fade away because it's a difficult shot, but he's hitting it. In general, Kawhi has been taking good shots. I don't feel like Spurs force a lot of shots, other than maybe Tony at the rim sometimes to draw fouls.

It's not like every 2 pointer he's shooting is just inside the arc. Dirk shot close to 50% for his career from 2 point range. Much of that taking difficult fade aways. Not that KL is Dirk but no reason think he can't hit those jumpers at a high rate over a career.

[Hoops Czar]

It's possible to succeed with a mid-range game. The writer makes it seem like it's not what Kawhi does best.

Hmm, I wonder who the last NBA Champion was that won primarily hitting mid range jumpers.

[Richie]

Can't be mad at Kawhi taking mid range shots when he has two long, 7 footers under the rim for offensive rebounds. I'm actually surprised we're such a bad offensive rebounding team considering we have one of the best rebounding front courts with Kawhi/Duncan/Aldridge

[SuperCam]

Kiwi led offense = inefficient, tbh

[DAF86]

Parker, Kawhi, Leonard, Duncan. All mid-range shooters.

[lilbthebasedgod]

Parker, Kawhi, Leonard, Duncan. All mid-range shooters.
I assume you mean Aldridge instead of Leonard (or Kawhi)?

[HarlemHeat37]

It would be pretty cool if Pop wins with yet another style of play, though, tbh..it would probably cement him as the GOAT of coaches IMO, pretty rare for an older coach to be so adaptable and willing to change..

[spursistan]

It would be pretty cool if Pop wins with yet another style of play, though, tbh..it would probably cement him as the GOAT of coaches IMO, pretty rare for an older coach to be so adaptable and willing to change..
true..coaches born in 1940s early/1950s looks out it in this league..whether its health or old school stubborness, they have been getting phased out at fast rate in the last few years..Amazing that if Pop lasts until 2020..

[HarlemHeat37]

true..coaches born in 1940s early/1950s looks out it in this league..whether its health or old school stubborness, they have been getting phased out at fast rate in the last few years..Amazing that if Pop lasts until 2020..

It's pretty amazing that organizations still hire coaches like Sam Mitchell, Byron Scott and Lionel Hollins, tbh:lol.

[aal04]

Yeah. its 3sketball at the moment. If its not a 3, or a high percentage dunk/layup, then people start worrying about statistics.

[SAGirl]

Pop has said he doesn't even like the 3 pt shot. I think that is tied to the fact that it forces his hand to play guys just bc of their 3 pt shot, that he normally would not like to play and stuff like that. It's made some guys who can't shoot from 3 unplayable at the NBA level, really only a center doesn't need to have that shot, and some PG and to be fair, depending on what system and players you have, you also want your PG to shoot the 3.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

It's pretty amazing that organizations still hire coaches like Sam Mitchell, Byron Scott and Lionel Hollins, tbh:lol.

True. You can add George Karl to that. Surprised the Kings wanted to hire him, and surprised he'd actually want that dead end job.

[GSH]

Hmm, I wonder who the last NBA Champion was that won primarily hitting mid range jumpers.


Never gonna happen. A player with a mid-range game is a good addition to a roster. But not as a main course for the whole team.

Nobody commented on the Spurs pace? I don't remember it being that high in the last 20 years or so. It's been creeping up in the last few years, but 97 would have been an attention getter. They're averaging 99.1? That's higher than the old Mike D'Antoni Suns teams. (Think Cotton Fitzsimmons teams.) The early championship years (and the Bowen era) the Spurs pace was always 90 or under.

A 99 pace is a lot more noteworthy than the mid-range shots, IMO.

[DAF86]

I assume you mean Aldridge instead of Leonard (or Kawhi)?

Yep.

[toki9]

I think the focus on 2-pt shot maybe yet another case of PATFO being a little ahead of curve by being contrarian. While the rest of the league focuses on volume shooting 3's (and thereby lowering efficiency), the Spurs are looking to get more efficient with 2's. The Spurs were really the first to exploit the corner 3's, the first to offset athleticism with passing, and maybe they are at it again. Certainly hope so.

[100%duncan]

Of course when you have kawhi lma and to an extend parker taking most of the shots then that's the result. That's why there's such a thing as a bench

[Tbiggums47]

I agree. The Spurs are ahead of the curve in regards to trend playing. I think they are built to exploit the weaknesses of the best teams. Cleveland would have given Golden State a run for their money if healthy. Think about this: If the Spurs meet Cleveland again in the finals. We can go head to head with which ever style they choose to play.... Big or small.... While the rest of the league is infatuated with smallball.... IMO

[midnightpulp]

Not surprising. The Spurs no longer have elite penetrators now that Parker and Manu are past their prime. Kawhi will also be able to feast from that 5-10 foot pull up jumper spot with the inclusion of LMA, who opens things up where Tiago didn't, allowing Leonard wider lanes to slip through and pull up from those distances. Already, Kawhi is shooting his highest ever percentage from 3-10 feet.

Can the Spurs "new style" (great defense + length + efficient mid-range shooting + post play + deep bench) win in the modern NBA? Sure. The Kobe-Gasol Lakers had no elite penetrators (Kobe was past his prime in that regard), but they killed teams with their length, post play, mid-range shooting (with the spacing Gasol and/or Odom provided from the 4, Kobe slipped into those pull up jumper areas much like Kawhi is doing now), and bench (Odom was a big weapon to have come off that bench. The Spurs current bench is a practically a weapon of mass destruction in comparison). And those Lakers even had a bigger liability at PG in a 36 year old Derek Fisher. Although he did turn it up in the post-season.

Yeah, pace-and-space eventually made the Lakers "rebounding/post play = rings" style passe, but that had more to do with Spoelstra (and before him Mike D'Antoni) needing to increase pace out of necessity because they lacked size upfront and couldn't win in a half court game. Also helps to have Lebron as your pace pusher. Spurs can beat the Warriors if they resist the temptation of getting into a shootout.

I'm liking this new team, and health and/or the Warriors simply being a historically great team will be the only things preventing the Spurs from a title run (not counting my chickens, as the Thunder and Clippers are always a concern, but I do think the Spurs are the second title fave after GS). I don't think their construction or philosophy is flawed.

[baseline bum]

It's pretty amazing that organizations still hire coaches like Sam Mitchell, Byron Scott and Lionel Hollins, tbh:lol.

Eh, Byron Scott got hired because he'd be Kobe's lap dog.

[Chinook]

Live by the inefficient jumpshot, die by the inefficient jumpshot. Just have to hope the team streaks the right way when it matters most.

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

Teams are guarding the 3 point line now against the Spurs and are giving them the 15-18 footers. Mills is like shooting over 50% from this range as well and is wide open. I don't see the Spurs missing these. Spurs are a good shooting team all around.

Teams have been set on taking away the 3 point shot which is why Green has been struggling. Mavs did this for like 5 years at a high level. It's possible if you have the player to do it and the Spurs do at this point.

[YGWHI]

Hmm, I wonder who the last NBA Champion was that won primarily hitting mid range jumpers.

As a model for what the Spurs might become, Clifford points to the 2011 Dallas Mavericks, who won a championship largely on the back of Dirk Nowitzki’s mid-range game.

http://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Spurs-3-point-dip-could-be-matter-of-strategy-6617647.php

Anyway, the Spurs won't be a primarily mid-range shooting team but having that weapon makes them more versatile and dangerous.

[wildbill2u]

Hmm, I wonder who the last NBA Champion was that won primarily hitting mid range jumpers.

The 1956 Celtics? Seriously, stats proved that the 3pt shot irrevocably changed the game. The 3 pt shot at a 33% rate or better is much more effective than a 2pt. Shot. You have to shoot an insane percentage of 2pt. shots to overcome the advantage of the 3pt. shot at 33%. And it gets worse as players averages go over 35%.

Pop was probably the first to analyze it from the standpoint of building a team around that skill. Now we're gonna play differently. With the Spurs change to a mid range shot system with the addition of Aldridge, combined with any dropoff from the loss of Bellinelli or aging of Manu, it may be difficult to maintain the winning edge we've had over the last few years. We'll still be good--but can we be great?

[SpursforSix]

Teams are guarding the 3 point line now against the Spurs and are giving them the 15-18 footers. Mills is like shooting over 50% from this range as well and is wide open. I don't see the Spurs missing these. Spurs are a good shooting team all around.

Teams have been set on taking away the 3 point shot which is why Green has been struggling. Mavs did this for like 5 years at a high level. It's possible if you have the player to do it and the Spurs do at this point.

Exactly about Green.

I think it's a symptom of what many many players do when shooting around and practicing. They take almost every shot from beyond the arc. So much so that they train their muscle memory such that the longer shot becomes easier.

[HarlemHeat37]

Teams are guarding the 3 point line now against the Spurs and are giving them the 15-18 footers. Mills is like shooting over 50% from this range as well and is wide open. I don't see the Spurs missing these. Spurs are a good shooting team all around.

Teams have been set on taking away the 3 point shot which is why Green has been struggling. Mavs did this for like 5 years at a high level. It's possible if you have the player to do it and the Spurs do at this point.

That's not why they're shooting more 2s, tbh..opposing teams didn't just learn the Spurs tendencies 2 weeks ago after they've been running the same system for the past 4 years:lol..

[letmk]

True. You can add George Karl to that. Surprised the Kings wanted to hire him, and surprised he'd actually want that dead end job.

I can see why the Kings wanted him, but I think he should be more patient with waiting. There are many more promising teams than the Kings with coaching vacancy. Maybe he himself worried about getting faded out as an aging ESPN analyst.

[Leonardpart6]

s usage rate (the percentage of the Spurs’ possessions that he used on a shot or turnover) was 23.1% but this year it has skyrocketed to 27.5%. This won’t prove to be a fleeting figure; Leonard is the man in San Antonio, now and into the future.
So, has Leonard taken advantage of his additional face time with the basketball?
The answer is yes. “The Claw” is averaging 22.1 points per game, shooting 52.8% from the field and converting on 89% of his foul shots. He’s also cashed in on 73.7% of his shots at the rim (not a typo!) and 54.5% of his attempts between three and 16 feet from the basket, per Basketball Reference.
Delving a little deeper, Leonard is knocking down a sizzling 56.1% of his pullup jumpers (per NBA.com), most of which originate in the 3-16 foot range mentioned above. Leonard has figured out how to leverage his length and athleticism to get any shot he likes using a few dribbles, like he does here:

[sasaint]

The 1956 Celtics? Seriously, stats proved that the 3pt shot irrevocably changed the game. The 3 pt shot at a 33% rate or better is much more effective than a 2pt. Shot. You have to shoot an insane percentage of 2pt. shots to overcome the advantage of the 3pt. shot at 33%. And it gets worse as players averages go over 35%.

Pop was probably the first to analyze it from the standpoint of building a team around that skill. Now we're gonna play differently. With the Spurs change to a mid range shot system with the addition of Aldridge, combined with any dropoff from the loss of Bellinelli or aging of Manu, it may be difficult to maintain the winning edge we've had over the last few years. We'll still be good--but can we be great?

What do you call an "insane" percentage of 2pt shots? The truth is you have to hit 50% of your 2-pointers to equal 33.33% at 3-point range.