NBA Season 18-19: General Thread

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I guess I'm not getting why players don't try for closer 2 point shots, but c'est la vie.

The problem is that if you shoot 3s at a fairly pedestrian 35%, you're matching the eFG% of someone shooting twos at a rate of 52.5%. Very few players can shoot 52.5% on twos other than a center once in a while. A three point shooter can walk it up every play and shoot a three.

If you shoot 40% on threes, then that matches an eFG% of shooting twos of 60%.

Steph Curry is shooting 52.9% from three right now. To shoot twos at that rate, you'd need to make over 79% of your shots.

It's just not even possible to be that efficient that often. Midrange twos are the worst shot in basketball and inside dunks/layups are a novelty that spaces the floor for more threes.

[MavzMan]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

and inside dunks/layups are a novelty that spaces the floor for more threes.

And threes draw defenders out so you hopefully get more layups/dunks. In contrast, the mid range actually keeps everyone tightly packed. Basically, spread the defense out as thin as possible creating space for passing and ball movement.