LOL I'm sorry but this is one of the most misinformed threads I've seen, the intent of the OP to analyze is good but the resulting conclusion is way off. Since i'm still waiting for my download to finish I'll discuss why this is wrong and hopefully stop this mid-range nonsense once and for all. Point 1: The mid-range shot is the worst shot in basketball Don't take my word for it, multiple $ball analysts have already said it. And even if you don't use those newfangled analytics, just think about it for a minute and you'll see why. The mid-range shot gets you less points than the 3 pts but is somehow harder to pull off, A lot of NBA players can hit open 3s but very few of them can hit open mid-range shots consistently. More importantly, mid-range shots have no failsafe, if you miss the shot then for sure it's gonna be a defensive rebound since you're far away from the hoop AND there's no chance for a foul. 3 pts have those risks as well, but then again they're 30% better than a normal shot. Point 2: OP's argument makes no sense The OP is talking about CAPABILITY and using them as the basis for winning a ring. Sure MJ, LBJ, TD and Hakeem can hit mid-range shots, but their games aren't exactly defined by it. I mean, when you look back at Hakeem do you remember the dream shake or the off-balanced contested jumpshot? When did MJ say "Mid-range shots win championships?" Didn't LBJ win his first ring AFTER he stopped shooting mid-range Js and drove directly to the post? Point 3: Opponents WANT you to take mid-range Js Historically speaking, the Celts when they won their ring was regarded as one of the best defensive teams ever, and it was generally because Perks, KG and Rondo were such good defenders they blocked off the 3 pts and the post and forced the opponent to shoot mid-range shots. Sure you can get somebody to "exploit" these types of defenses and just shoot mid-range shots all day, but honestly that type of person who can hit these mid-range shots consistently just don't exist. Even the best mid-range shooters like Dirk or Melo or Gay don't hit more than 40% of their shots, since these are just 2 pointers that's actually pretty bad. You can search the entire NBA for this mythological godly mid-ranger, or you can focus your gameplan on finding sieves in the opponent's D to launch uncontested 3s or drive to the hoop. Point 4: Empirical Evidence Still don't believe me? Just watch the last 5 minutes of the Laker's comeback win against the Raps this season. This tells you all you need to know, Rudy Gay lost the game by shooting nothing but mid range shots, and Kobe/Nash won the game by shooting 3s and driving inside. In the playoffs, it's practically the same thing as well, LBJ won the game by driving inside, WB lost the game by settling for mid-range Js. Just look at the Spurs, they've been winning all these years and all they really add are vets who defend, shoot 3s or drive to the hoop.
I just think a lot of people are looking at it the wrong way. Keeping the defense honest and taking the open mid-range jumper is perfectly fine by me. I just think there's no need whatsoever to scheme for open mid-range jumpers. If D-Mo isn't a complete non-factor and the Rockets have anybody else to plug in the Rockets -- despite their other poor D -- are right there at the end with the Warriors. People kill CH for his opinion on Patterson/Robinson and the deadline deals, but there's no question that the trades hurt the Rockets in the short term. Now, there are a bunch of things went wrong last night aside from D-Mo having a terrible game, but none of them had anything to to with the Rockets not taking mid-range jumpers or not scheming for mid-range jumpers. That's BS to me. Again, I think people are looking at the wrong cause. Players missing shots is going to happen every now and then. It's not controllable, so I don't see the point in caring. What IMO people should care about are things that can be controlled, like offensive & defensive schemes, execution and effort. I don't see anything wrong with the defensive schemes. Certain players simply will have to pick up their effort level and most of he non-effort related breakdowns will go away over time with more experience and familiarity. Defensively is where it starts, though, as the Rockets offense quite naturally will be more proficient when the Rockets do get stop, just by having more scoring opportunities in transition and early offense. The Rockets may have to tweak some things on offense and do some things differently when D-Mo is having an off night shooting the ball (e.g. going to their non-spread "Floppy Out" set), but I don't see a reasonable argument that taking more mid-range jumpers or scheming for more mid-range jumpers is one of the necessary adjustments.
Yes, we can win without a midrange game, but we won't be able to do anything until we have low post options. Even Lebron couldn't win without going into the post.
I think you'd have to run something other than the 'WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING OUT THERE' offense to get our players open more.
Mid range shots are the worst. Having a player with a consistent mid range jumper will add another dimension to our offense, but unfortunately we don't have that. Lin probably has the best mid range jumper, but I doubt Mchale will let Lin take much of those. And winning is definitely possible with no mid range game.
the 17-20 ft shot is the worst shot in basketball if you're kobe its a good shot for everyone else it isnt , you probably can win a championship without a midrange shot maker as long as u have great defense which of course we dont , but who cares we can make the playoffs without a midrange shooter ... PLEASE TELL ME WHO'S DENVERS MIDRANGE SHOOTER?
yes i know that hence the term midrange , im just saying most of pattersons shots were somewhere hovering around the 16-20ft mark , plus ty lawson is not a reliable shooter from the midrange lets be honest , he can shoot a lil better than lin (not really a fan) , but hes always looking to drive , plus ur pg being a good midrange shooter isnt really important
i dont think people are asking for only or mostly mid range jumpers. we just have to shoot it here and there to score some points. teams are going to pack the paint and we will have off games/quarters shooting the 3. the key is to have the adaptability to shoot jumpers to keep the game in reach...
Lin should work on his midrange and break it out if his drives are getting blocked. Its usually money for him. patpats mid range was super effective.
