No player in league history has scored more points and no player in league history has a more unstoppable shot than the skyhook. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onLos Angeles Lakers and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. The idea that LeBron doesnt possess a picturesque jump shot confuses many of the fanboys who love and adore MJ and Kobe Bryant. AST% since 1964-65. The same needs to be said about the mid-range game and that picturesque shot Kobe and MJ fanboys idolize. It turns out that numbers can lie or, more precisely, obscure the truth. The LA Lakers are taking on the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, and LeBron James' playoff 3-point percentage could play a huge part in determining the series. 2. Jamess made shots have been 53 percent 2-pointers, 10 percent 3-pointers and 36 percent free throws. James has only made five shots from beyond the arc and attempted 27 shots. Memphis needs two more wins to become just the 14th team in NBA history to win a series after trailing, 3-1. Kobe was second, reaching 30,000 when he was 34. Many people have found that their sketch resembles someone that is currently close in their life, their current significant other / partner, or someone they admire or have feelings for. This is OK. Say it with me, this is OK. James doesnt have to be the beautiful shooter you believe an NBA great needs to be. And it shouldnt be overly surprising if one or both manages to flip a switch and improve from this area once the playoffs start for the Los Angeles Lakers. Looking at James shot charts from those seasons, its difficult to recognize them as the same player. Ja Morant, the guy the Lakers couldnt stop in Game 3, attacked and told them they were too small.. In the case of a scorers true performance mark field goal percentage only one is devastatingly behind the other two (Bryant). On NBA 2K23, this All-Time Version of LeBron James' 2K Rating is 96 and has a 2-Way Inside-Out Point Forward Build. James has long ago passed Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, but there are critiques of how he scores compared to those two. Kobe is more comparable to Jordan, but it doesnt mean he ranks closer to him in terms of greatness. Before there was Durant, there was Gervin. Durant has averaged more points than every single one of them. Deposit bonus requires 25x play-thru. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. One of these copycats includes Kobe: Furthermore, just take in how eloquent the mid-range game is for both guys. Last year, LeBron took 36.9 percent of his shots in the mid-range and 36.6 percent of shots at the rim. James and the Lakers were getting avalanched. And James, the player who saved the Lakers at the end of regulation and in overtime Monday, couldnt make a positive imprint in his first chance to close out the Grizzlies. Looking at top 5 behind-the-arc shooters in 2023 NBA playoffs, How many game-winners has LeBron James made in his career? Kyle Goon is a Maryland native who kept traveling west in search of stories. An explosive finisher early in his career, Jordan evolved into the most deadly mid-range scorer ever with his patented turnaround fadeaway over either shoulder becoming his signature shot. 4. Fans seem frustrated by Bickerstaff more than Koby Altman. After Game 2 when I played like crap, I had my head down and he was telling me to keep my head up. Now, they are more likely to have smaller, faster players stand outside the 3-point arc to set screens and take deep shots. LeBron's rebuttal:Can the greatest scorer in NBA history really be someone who ranks outside the top 20 in playoff scoring average? LeBron James has the second best midrange FG% among all The Logo owns the third-highest scoring average in Finals history trailing only Rick Barry and Jordan. According to the Pelicans, McCollum consulted See More at HoopsRumors Brandon Ingram Thats still a shot he can hit, but his more recent sweet spot is from beyond the arc on the left side StatMuse tracks him at 37.2% from that zone, where he can unleash his stepback three. Rebecca Lai and Eve WashingtonFeb. For the next decade, the shot was considered a novelty, a break glass in case of emergency kind of heave. Buck Williams.5872: 58. His career averages (27.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 7.4 apg) closely mirror every year of his career with only minor deviations. If you sort every single scoring champion in NBA history by field goal percentage, Abdul-Jabbar ranks first and second. Theyll survive in the playoffs as long as their relentless superstar does. Has DAngelo Russell broken out of his playoff slump? They were the NBAs best team at home during the regular season at 35-6, setting a franchise record for wins in their building. I can only imagine somebody who can be the all-time leading scorer in NBA history who doesnt get the credit of being a scorer, said Anthony. He's also taking six percent fewer threes (excluding corner threes, where his percentages are roughly the same) than he did last year. James entered play with a career record of 40-10 in games where his team could end the series with a win, according to StatMuse. Anytime a current player throws up a scoring performance of the ages, it takes one trip to #NBATwitter to find out that Chamberlain likely did it more often than anyone else. LeBron James Warriors, Steph Curry beat Kings, advance to face Lakers LeBron is more of the Magic JohnsonOscar Robertson ilk, two guys who needed teammates around them so they can flourish with their dominating court vision and basketball IQ. LeBron James Dan Woike is the Lakers beat writer for the Los Angeles Times after spending two seasons covering the league as a whole, with an emphasis on Los Angeles teams. LeBron James had statistically one of his best regular and postseasons ever. Hell adjust. Thats right. While people expect LeBron to take Dillon Brooks down the paint to put him on a poster, the chances of that happening is highly unlikely. LeBron James is shooting 36.9 percent on 3.3 mid-range shots per game this season. It was his lowest field-goal percentage (29.4 Eligibility restrictions apply. Before this, he shot only 35.5 percent in 2018-19 and 36.4 percent in 2017-18. Desmond Bane, the guy the Lakers couldnt stop in Game 4, stayed hot. He attempted 121 shots from the midrange making 59 of them. WebLatest on Los Angeles Lakers small forward LeBron James including complete game-by-game stats on ESPN Last year, LeBron took 36.9 percent of his shots in the mid-range and 36.6 percent of shots at the rim. Subscribe to Stathead , the set of tools used by the pros, to unearth this and other interesting factoids. In 2011-12 for the Miami Heat, he averaged 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists on his way to his third MVP award. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are superstars for a reason. WebFind detailed LeBron James Stats on FOXSports.com. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). I just think the biggest thing is what hes done to transition his game to this stage of his career in terms of his shooting, Coach Frank Vogel said. Myles That's not a very efficient way to distribute shots for a player who is best playing downhill. MORE: MJ vs. LeBron career stats in G.O.A.T. Also read: LeBron James' version of 'The Last Dance'? NBA analyst believes 4x NBA champion has attained Athlete Nirvana, Be the first one to comment on this story. While Jordan perfected the mid-post fadeaway late in his career, James, too, added an unguardable step-back jumper. James isn't the best shooter from beyond the arc, but his ability to knock down 3-pointers could be one of the biggest changes in their quest to defeat Memphis. He does it in a variety of other ways such as playing facilitator and barraging his way to the hoop. Abdul-Jabbar accumulated many of his points by perfecting his signature shot, the sky hook. The 37-year-old never has a huge individual dip in his production. SEO: XL Media. Even if these shots have been inefficient, how much damage can roughly three shots per game really do? Brad Davis.5870: 59. His 118 50-point games are 87 more than Jordan, who has the second-most. (Credit to NBA.com and basketball-reference for statistics and House of Highlights for GIF). All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. Fans waved towels and chanted Whoop that trick. Fans and arena staff loudly made plans for Sunday, when the Grizzlies would host Game 7 if the Lakers cant end things. The Lakers, faced with shutting down their best players or trying for the miracle comeback, chose the latter. Do you already hate MLBs pitch clock? Remember last year, when Anthony Davis turned into a mid-range assassin for the Lakers in the playoffs? Among 219 players (min. At his best, he uses his size and speed to bully defenders, get optimal position and either score or get to the line. Then this definitely wont help, ESNYs 2023 MLB Preview: Pirates are a continually sinking ship, Mets, Yankees games on Apple TV+ wont be free, but there are loopholes, Dont get your hopes up about MLB making changes to new rules, City of Philadelphia perpetrates another Santa Claus-related sin, Heres how pitch clock, shift ban have impacted MLB spring training games. a mid-range jumper, Every defender knew what was coming and nobody could do anything about it. They got within 12 with four minutes to go, but by then, James was on the bench and the rest of the Lakers were gassed. Perhaps this shouldnt be overly surprising. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Gambling problem? By the time he hit his 20th year, he was no longer as dominant as he had been. The third-best scoring average in league history, Baylor was Eurostepping long before anyone knew what the Eurostep was. He has five of them. Some stats were available earlier in the ABA. Before this? His blend of unique talents and quickness to go along with a beastly 68, 250 lbs. Ages given are the players ages on Feb. 1 of that season. LeBron James' criticism of NBA Play-In game comes across as hypocritical, NBA play-in: 3 ways the tournament could lead to total chaos, Lakers News: LeBron James's return could come Friday night vs. Kings. This is the mark that reveals just how efficient a player is when shooting the ball. This takes a physical toll, particularly when defenses are sending help in the paint. Should he really stop taking them? WAIT! They had to have that closers mentality or ultimately pay the consequences as LBJ does to this very day. What LeBron James Has That Stephen Curry Does Not. Durant holds the edge in total points across their 35 career head-to-head matchups. All company, product and service names used in this website are for identification purposes only. How many 3s has LeBron made? And I kind of just relayed that same message to him tonight. history. Shot Clock Range. Jordan 30, he'd be in the thick of the MVP discussion. He previously worked at The Salt Lake Tribune covering the Utah Jazz and Utah Utes. While it makes sense for many players struggling from the mid-range like LeBron to simply reallocate some shots to the 3-point line, but its not clear this is the optimal solution for Davis. A run to undo a 17-point first-half deficit got them all the way within a point in the third quarter before the Memphis Grizzlies smothered them in a matter of possessions. Lakers vs. Warriors: Second-round scouting report, prediction LeBron James jogged backward, lips pursed after another jumper rattled in and then bounced out. 1 on this list. James has played in 46 games this season, making 128 threes. Jamess brilliance put three Cavs teams in the position to play in the NBA Finals when they had no business being there. And as he inches closer to Abdul-Jabbars record, he would like to be thought of as someone who found ways to grow to reach it. Its an interesting time to be a Los Angeles Lakers fan. This is what you play an entire season for.. 7, 2023. The reason for the ghastly confusion has nothing to do with some of his questionable off-the-court decisions, such as The Decision. It has nothing to do with flopping or his perceived whining on the court. The vast array of moves is deeper than any big in league history. Had a fourth-quarter shoulder injury not sidelined Kennard, Dillon Brooks, a lightning rod for controversy in this series, may not have been back out for the fourth quarter. Web4/30 It seemed as though the Warriors had all the momentum after winning three straight games to go ahead 3-2 in their first-round series against Sacramento, LeBron James, Michael Jordan. I do know, just being around daily, seeing him being locked in and playing at a level that a lot of people dont really expect him to play at at his age, to see it firsthand, its something I can learn from as I continue to get older in this league and find ways to be able to be effective, Westbrook said. LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers | NBA.com It is what it is. And there's never been a scorer with his ability to do it efficiently at every level, as evidenced by his career true-shooting percentage which is by far the best in NBA history by any of the players with 25,000 career points. AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/MI/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. It all comes down to his shooting ability. Ultimately, while James often says hes humbled to be listed among the greats, his desire to shape his legacy still drives him he still wants the respect he believes hes still due. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Theyd love one more game here, wouldnt they? His poor shooting the Lakers are essentially leaving him open, thus clogging the lane didnt hurt the Grizzlies on Wednesday. debate, 30.1 PPG in regular season (most all-time), The 100-point game (NBA single-game record), Averaged 50.4 PPG in a single season (most in NBA history), 36.2 career PPG in Game 7s (best in NBA history), 29.5 career PPG in playoffs (best among active players), Highest career true-shooting percentage of every 25K scorer, 38,387 career points (most in NBA history), The skyhook (most unstoppable shot in NBA history). With the series heading to another crucial moment, Davis said he has confidence in the single biggest adjustment a team could have in its pocket. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). The footwork, the mannerisms, the mentality all of it. James adapting as a long-range shooter late in his career may inform Westbrooks path to aging more gracefully in the game. Hachimura has eased their offensive burdens so far in the series against Memphis, giving the Lakers a third option. James mid-range game particularly his fadeaway is beautiful when Whos number one then? In every instance Jordan is first, James is second, and Bryant is third. star, said James can do some of everything. How does the Lakers duo compare? In addition to the sketch of your Soulmate, you will receive a complete description of characteristics and qualities of this person that will help you connect when you are at the right time with this person. See for yourself! Even when teams can contest James' shot, James getting inside makes the Cavs harder to defend overall. Los Angeles Lakers news fromFanSided Daily, Cleveland Cavaliers: Debunking 3 myths of a failed season, NBA Power Rankings Week 20: Philadelphia 76ers streak in the penultimate week, 50 Greatest Players Without a Championship, 50 Greatest Players Not In The Hall of Fame, Most Clutch Player From Each Teams History, Best Shot Blocker From Each Teams History, The Heat and Lakers threaten to throw the NBA playoffs into chaos, NBA Rumors: The Lakers are expected to target an All-Star point guard, 5 things the Lakers must do to complete an upset of the Grizzlies, The 2023 playoffs loom large for LeBron James legacy, Is Anthony Davis playing tonight? Its a travesty among all travesties. Hell get better. Were going to need even better from them in Game 6. That's not a very efficient way to distribute shots for a player In Jamess rookie season, 2003-4, he took 2.7 3-pointers a game. Baylor was the first sky-walking, above-the-rim perimeter threat. LeBron James. Web48.4 46.4 FG3% 39.0 36.4 FT% 88.2 78.4 eFG% 52.2 50.9 PER 19.2 15.8 WS 3.5 22.1 4/27 Pelicans guard CJ McCollum underwent successful right thumb surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, the team announced in a press release. James finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, shooting 5-of-17 overall and 1-of-9 from 3-point range. WebLeBron James on NBA 2K23. Lakers | Sadly, however, most fans need to understand that closing is only part of the game. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Why would anybody be considered a better scorer than another player who boasts a far superior shooting percentage? Hell be fine. Anthony Davis led the way with 31 points and 19 rebounds, a strong response after a quiet Game 4 but it wasnt nearly enough. Hes not doing it by scoring 12 points a night and just hanging on, said Philadelphia 76ers Coach Doc Rivers, adding, Its just an extraordinary record and its an extraordinary way that hes gone about it., Of the top 250 scorers, share of each players made shots that were , How LeBron James Outscored Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and All the N.B.A. But since returning to the Lakers (he spent his first two seasons with them), Russell may have become a better version of himself. While James hasnt decided yet whether to pick up his player option, sources close to the situation tell ESPN that he has no intention of hearing elaborate pitch meetings from teams. Beyond simply looking at an all-time leaderboard, how does The King stack up with the legends typically in the conversation?