https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithja05.html FG% by distance according to bballref : 0-3 ft = 55% 3-10 ft = 33% 10-16ft = 0% (only .046% of his shot diet is from this range) 16ft - 3pline = 21% and finally his 3p% which is 30%. While we're at it Jabari is also 3rd on team in post ups at 1 per game. Alpy averages 5 per game just for comparisons sake. I agree he should get more, but to create a narrative that nobody looks for him is incorrect. He just cant hit shots and his teammates dont trust him right now. It will get better.
Lmao. Imagine watching Morey's 3s and free throws science experiment fail for a decade and still think this.
People really saw Steph Curry and thought they could replicate it. Just draft the greatest shooter in history. Simple.
I’m not seeing Jabari make much of an effort to post up, it’s hard to say his teams aren’t trying to find him when all he has been doing is calling for the ball at the 3pt line. I think it’s common for players to look to pass inside or to cutters first. It’s also had to put it on Silas when KMJ and Tati are getting looks playing the same position. Jabari will figure it out soon, it’s going to take some adjustment going from always getting the ball in college to playing as the 3rd or 4th option in the NBA. He’s already shooting more than Sengun taking the 3rd most shots on the team. I don’t think it makes sense to make him the 2nd option when he’s shooting just 30.2%. Once he hits those open looks he’s getting then the team will look for him more.
Morey's "science experiment" https://www.bballytics.co/en/2021/02/24/mid-range-evolution.html (a year old in terms of up to date stats - just for discussion)
When Morey started his “science experiment” all those years ago Houston led the league with around 20 3s attempted per game. Today that would be dead last by a mile. The average team now takes 34 3s per game. The volume of mid range jumpers has decreased significantly league wide. The entire league embraced and adopted the strategy.
Yet when the playoffs come ( the teams that win use midrange) the top teams in league have high % midrange shooters… Jalen should be attempting 5-8 midrange shots a game.. (FT line) not the 2-3 steps inside 3s … then it’s better to stepback and shoot a 3
The volume of 3s going up has nothing to do with whether or not it's advisable to take mid range shots. When the Rockets had a championship level team, it was Chris Paul literally mid-ranging teams to death to push us through the playoffs during certain series. Know what happened when Chris went down? We missed 27 3s in a row and lost the series. Bucks and Khris Middleton, Raptors and Kawhi, Warriors and Klay. Each of these teams have a player with a mid range game. Yes the percentages are low but if all you do is drive and kick to 3 you become predictable and easy to guard. We know this better than most. It's why Dallas is going to flame out year over year doing things that way.
No one is saying or has ever said that you don’t ever take mid range shots. It’s a myth. It is a shot reserved for those who are good at it, which are few and far between. Which is why this is the reality of the NBA today :
It did not fail, dimwit, we had the most success against a dynastic team. Imagine having that much success with a lesser team and thinking it was a failure.
It’s really about personnel. If you have a Chris Paul or Leonard or Butler then it works and opens up the offense. If Jalen and KPJ can start converting like Chris Paul with that shot it will improve their finishing ability and open up 3 Pters for their teammates. If that is not in the cards then it’s the dunk and three like most every team in the league. I think having multiple players that can make mid-range shots pretty automatically as well as a good 3 pt percentage will make your half court offense elite. From what I’ve seen, I think Green can develop that skill, not sure about anyone else on the roster. The expectation was for Jabari and Tari to be so special on defense that it would open up our transition offense and we would be playing a lot less hero ball. Unfortunately, the game has not slowed down enough for 19 year old Jabari and Eason is getting the Sengun treatment.
Milwaukee, Phoenix, and Sixers all have a prominent mid range game (5+ dots in the midrange on the above graphic). All are contenders. The teams without midrange whatsoever are Utah, Toronto, Rockets, Pistons, Memphis, Mavericks, Pacers and Cavaliers. Brooklyn and Hawks are also very 3 and paint dependent. Only Memphis I'd consider a contender in the group. The middle of the pack teams seem to have a few mid ranges here and there. I'm not advocating for a mid-range heavy offense whatsoever. But you absolutely need it to keep the defense honest. And watching Jabari on film in college, getting him at 10-12 at the elbow in *any* situation is a bucket. He can shoot over anyone. Now that the offense seemingly has a direction, hopefully Silas can draw up some plays to get him in the action and not have him playing the PJ Tucker role. Watching him try and operate in this "offense" is a travesty. Tari works because he's a player that can just run around and get stuff done even if he has no direction. Jabari needs to be set up. At least right now. In 3-4 years he'll look vastly different.
Jalen's first ten games last season weren't dramatically more efficient than Jabari's. It sucks that our guys can't get off to hot starts, but IMO it is more important for prospects to show progress over the season than it is to come out blazing. There is no reason to worry about Jabari's jumper unless you think he's about to pull a Markelle Fultz.
He has elite lateral quickness for his height. He’s not explosive or anything, he can just move his feet really well
