A lot of them. Not only are they leading the league in percentage of shots that are 3P (44.7%), they are doing so 5% more than the next most proficient 3P shooting team, the Cleveland Cavs and 10% more than the GSW. 4 guys are doing the bulk of the shooting - all of which ere in the top 10 of 3PA and 3PM. Not surprisingly, they also lead in percentage points by 3P. But this time, their margin over the Cavs is only 2.2%. Gordon and Anderson are shooting amazing; if Harden can up his 3P efficiency, look for this stat to approach their FGA %3P margins. Clearly these 3P stats are due to the arrival D'Antoni, drawn up 3P plays, and the erasure of hero ba... wait what? The Rockets are 2nd to worst in the league in scoring 3's off assists. The Spurs and GSW in comparison are 6th and 7th at scoring 3's off assists. The Rockets are basically given a green light to fire whenever they want and do so. So, does that mean the Rockets are actually not playing as much team ball or designed offense as we thought? Here's the surprising part. They are 4th in FGM by assist. Consider how incredible this stat is in light of their extremely high unassisted 3P rate. Indeed, their 2P assist rate (54.4%) is also 4th in the league. What's the takeaway? The Rockets have a squad of players that can and will jack up the three off of their own ability or when given the smallest amount of space from some movement or a pick. But the on-ball 3P creation is merely part of the prestige, the misdirection leading up to an off-ball assisted 2P play.
I'm surprised that Anderson being a four, and you would think that PFs would be less likely to want to guard against 3pointers that are 4 or 5 feet behind the line, that Anderson isn't getting more 3 point attempts. I would think he would be up there at least higher than Trevor in attempts.
Anderson should shoot more than Ariza. But I guess teams are guarding Anderson more closely. Not sure about Harden. My gut feeling is that he should shoot less 3s. I think most of his 3s are unassisted. But what do I know?
Sign Jimmer Fredette and Josh Smith. Smoove satisfies big body, defense AND 3P shooting. Rather have both of these guys at the end of the bench than KJ, Ennis, Brown or Onuaku. No trade necessary.
I was going to start a thread on the 3-point shooting; but you beat me to it Crossover. To prevent a bunch of clutter threads on the same topic, I hope you don't mind me throwing it in here. Here is an article from last yr. ["Do Three-Point Attempts Actually Lead To Winning In The NBA?"]-Jesse Scudilla. Feb. 17,2016 https://m.numberfire.com/nba/news/7704/do-three-point-attempts-actually-lead-to-winning-in-the-nba# Rockets 14/15____________________opponent_______________________difference.................... 3PM............11.4..........................................7.4............................................................+4......................... 3PA.............32.7.........................................22.9..........................................................+9.8....................... 3P%.......... .348......................................... .322..........................................................+0.026.................. ____15/16________________________opponent_______________________difference_________ 3PM.............10.7..........................................9.7...........................................................+1......................... 3PA..............30.9.........................................26.9.........................................................+4.......................... 3P%........... .347......................................... .361.........................................................-0.014.................... ____16/17_________________________opponent______________________difference_________ 3PM..............14.7.........................................9.6...........................................................+5.1...................... 3PA...............38.9........................................26.9.........................................................+12....................... 3P%............ .378....................................... .359..........................................................+0.019.................. Stats per basketball-reference.com. Note in 14/15 the Rockets were #1 in 3P defended. With these indicators & others I had the Rockets winning 58 games (+/-2 gms) prior to season. My push for Nerlens Noel with say Stauskas and possibly Hollis Thompson (in place of Brewer and KJ) was the reason or basis. Reinforce interior defense w/Noel w/increased 3P% with Stauskas. That or/a deal similar "May" put the Rockets over the top. Harrell and a Dekker getting better also improves the Rockets chances. IMO. Rockets going for the trifecta per stats above. Edited later: in theory shoring up the interior defense allows perimeter shooters to stay closer to their assignments on the perimeter......thus improving our opp 3P%.
Not all 3's are created equal, 30% for a center is excellent. Besides, Smoove has not been shooting 3's in a MDA system. He'll get better looks. And if Capela can average double digit points in PnR, then Smoove will eat that stuff up. Smoove is a better facillitator than any big on current roster, and possibly better than some of the guards as well. Smoove also solves hole at 5 spot temporarily until Capela returns as he is a much better rim protector and rebounder than either Harrell or Nene. Jimmer is pure scoring, Smoove does everything else.
Price tag for trades may be too high for Rockets this year (trading core pieces). Rockets lost all leverage after Capela injury. Fredet-about-it may be a good fall back plan. Now that Capela is injured....backup Center is top priority. Getting Harrell up to par.
Love the premise, improve 3 point shooting efficiency by playing tighter D on perimeter but more importantly protecting the rim. Nerlens Noel is a great example of the type of rim protector needed, he is so long and prolific swatting AND altering shots near the cup. His athleticism, length, explosiveness and youth make him a great piece for way team is built to challenge for a championship, not just now but years to come. But Stauskas and Thompson would not be the other complementary players I would covet. Elite perimeter defenders are more important than more offensive oriented players to complement Beard-EG-Ryno. Tony Allen types or young players with potential be the next great lockdown defender. Players like Nick Calathes, Danny Green or my personal favorite, Aaron Gordon. Rockets can find elite 3 pt specialists without having to trade for them, unlike a true up and coming lockdown defender. Sign Jimmer Fredette or Raphiael Putney but trade for elite defenders to surround and enhance our elite shooters in Harden, EGordon, RAnderson (would also add Ariza and Beverley who do both).
Agreed, I've said before that Center is our only true priority. Still, i'd rather have Jimmer at the end of the bench than Bobby Brown. His shots in the NBA have been confused roles on confused teams. If you need a licensed shooter with a bargain-bin price, he fits the bill. After seeing what Anderson (sometimes) and Gordon have done for this team, I'd like to continue that experiment.
I like a lot of three pointers because the more 3's we shoot, the great chance we will win. I dont like going inside three point line (2 points) because it will be tough since refs always call offensive fouls which doesnt make sense.
if we hit just one 3 more vs spurs we win, forget centers(except if can shoot) shooting is what wins games nowadays
To be fair, this is still a pretty low number. 22.4% of 3 point field goals made unassisted still means almost 4 out of every 5 made three is assisted. I'd be curious how this stat looks on attempts instead of makes, and what are GSW/SAS #s at 6 and 7? Under 10% or still in the mid teen+. In any case, yes, the Rockets have green light to shoot threes. As do the Warriors, Cavs and certain other teams/players. Harden alone likely puts them at 2nd in this category. He;s probably closer to 50% on this stat. almost everyone else seems to be shooting off assists almost all of the time. Also, the better stat would be open 3 point field goal attempts/makes. Just because a shot is unassisted doesn't mean it isn't open.
I agree with you in the sense that it's a numbers game. The old fashion, "You don't make the sell, if you don't knock on the door." "The more doors you knock on, the greater chances of selling." Everyone would rather have touchdowns over field goals. This is where you & I may differ: Good NBA teams know this as well. Good NBA teams try to defend against other teams hitting the 3. Like NFL defenses try to load up defenders at the 1st down marker on 3rd & long. It's not a coincidence that teams like the Warriors, Cavs, Spurs keep teams at a low % from 3. It's by design. Nov 1st Rox @ Cavs: Cavs won by 8 pts. Cavs 16-32 from 3 (50%) Rox 17-44 (39%). Early in the season & Rox playing better D now but one 3-pt shot more by Rox. Dec 1st Rox @ GSW: Warriors 12-44 from 3 (27%) Rox 14-44 (32%) 5 pt Rox win. Both teams contested 3's & both teams ran off the 3-pt line & took it to the rim. Where perimeter defense is nice....you can't afford to have a sieve at the rim. I hope Capela and Harrell can be enough; because the Warriors are trying to get MeGee blocking more shots to free up Durant & Green from doing that dirty work.....allowing all of them to be more efficient with their outside shooting vs the Rox. Recent Spurs game: Spurs 12-23 from 3 (52%) Rox 6-38 from 3 (16%). Rox did good in this game while not having Capela/Harden bread n butter PnR. I can say now that Houston is with a GSW or Cavs team; but it doesn't mean that healthy Utah team won't bounce us in a first round matchup. Gobert, Favors, Lyles present problems. They have an inside-out game on offense as well as defense. They will protect against the 3.....will the Rox have a soft underbelly on defense (rim protection) exposed? Hopefully not, with Harrell improving, Nene, and Capela coming back eventually.
This is probably one of those "pick your poison". If I am the other team, I would rather have Ariza take it than Ryan.
I think you are right. I saw the Spurs put Kawhi Leonard on Ryno. Ultimate compliment. Fear may be Ryno could get hot after making one or two 3's.....perhaps more so than Ariza.
