NBA Season 18-19: General Thread - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

DevinHarriswillstart · 11-02-2018, 04:23 PM

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

Underdog · 11-02-2018, 05:17 PM

Quote:

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.

We're a culture of instant gratification -- players look more at the upside (3 > 2) than the downside (0 < 2) these days.

EricaLubarsky · 11-02-2018, 07:34 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-04-2018, 07:45 AM

Quote:

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.

FreshJive · 11-02-2018, 10:08 PM

Quote:

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 context on the Melo shot was the Rockets coaches had been emphasizing all training camp to stop taking long twos and take more threes. Melo made a good fake, shook his defender, and made a very Melo comfortable shot, but still had the coaches in the back of his mind when it went in. The announcers found it hilarious.