NBA Shot Selection

In game seven of NBA finals this year, the Spurs's field goal percentage was 43% and the Piston's 42%. The other six games were similar or even worse. Of course, the number one and number two defensive teams in the NBA are supposed to reduce shooting percentage, but it seems to me that both shooting ability and shot selection have suffered in recent years. The NBA is full of players with formidable physical gifts: Ben Wallace, Shaquille O'Neal, Richard Jefferson, Kenyon Martin, and Dwyane Wade, that have little or no shooting ability. This trend extends to all five positions. Raw athletic ability has become the most sought after characteristic in the NBA. Sometimes a team will have any number of players that can hardly even make open shots. More frequently, NBA teams have highly athletic players that can also shoot the ball fairly well. Unfortunately, such players are invariably given license to take any shot they want. To a great extent, this is how the game is played at all levels. The most gifted players are allowed to throw up contested eighteen footers, rushed, fade-away threes, and wild lay-ups. Fans and players alike encourage this behavior by "ooohing" and "aaahhing" whenever the miscreant happens to find the net. Furthermore, astonishing shootings nights are not uncommon for basketball players. Everyone has had that time when they took over the game and could not miss even the most ill-advised shots possible. No one remembers the time you were 1-17. This, as far as I can gather, is how players end up with 40% field goal statistics. I would be very interested to see how well NBA players shoot in practice. The times I have kept track, I shoot close to 70% from beyond fifteen feet, and I am certainly not a shooter. Even taking into account defensive pressure and hostile crowds, the percentages are inexcusable. Professionals have the time to take hundreds of shots every day. Most are capable of far greater efficiency. I believe that the world is full of guys that could easily out shoot Kobe Bryant or Tracy McGrady if given the same opportunities. However, these guys would never be able to guard or score against a Kobe or T-Mac. Maybe NBA basketball is the best way to play, but I am not convinced.

by Bachman