Bricks . . . All orange Bricks - Just had a game - With 50 more Bricks - BRICKS!

[TheNorthCydeRises]

So we're 29th in 3 point shooting percentage.  And when we miss those 3s, we don't get offensive rebounds, seeing that we're 26th in that category as well.

This team was supposedly stocked with guys who could at least make open jumpers.  But here is the harsh truth about the Hawks.  John Collins, at 47% from 3, is our best 3 point shooter this season.  It was a VERY short sample size, but the stroke he was showing when he did play, looked very good.  And before his injury, Kevin Huerter ( 39% from 3 ), was looking good as well.

When it comes to the other Hawks, here's the sad truth: 

 

Top 5 three point attempt guys per 36 minutes are in BOLD

 

• Damian Jones - ( .500 )  . . he's made 2 of his 4 three point attempts this season, but isn't one of our main 3 point shooters
• Deandre Hunter - ( .350 ) . . has been making his 3 lately. He essentially leads the Hawks among rotation players in 3s now.

 

• Trae Young - ( .348 )  . . started out red hot from 3, but has cooled considerably, mainly because most of his 3 point attempts are very tough shots and not open looks
• Deandre Bembry - ( .313 ) . . and that's after going 4 - 5 from 3 last night.  He's normally a horrid shooter from the outside.

 

• Allen Crabbe - ( .294 ) . . he's a career 39% shooter from 3.  Maybe his shot will come around, or maybe he'll just be red hot or ice cold.
• Jabari Parker - ( .288 ) . . he's normally a low 30% shooter from 3, so this isn't surprising from him

 

• Cam Reddish - ( .235 ) . . we all know his struggles so I won't bash the kid more than what has been done.  He made all 3 of his 3s last game though.
• Vince Carter - ( .211 ) . . Six games with zero 3s. Two games in which he's made multiple 3s.

 

• Bruno Fernando - ( .200 ) . . actually passes up open 3 point looks. Has missed his last 6 attempts. 2 - 10 on the year
• Alex Len - ( .160 ) . . HUGE dropoff from last seasons career high 36% from 3.

 

• Evan Turner - ( .000 ) . . he KNOWS he can't shoot, so he's only taken 1 three this season
• Tyrone Wallace - ( .000 ) . . has missed all 10 of his 3 point attempts

 

As much as Dominique gets bashed for supposedly not knowing what he's talking about, this is what he's seeing on a nightly basis.  Even though the entire league has gone 3 point attempt crazy, that strategy only works if you can make your 3s at a decent rate.  The midrange jumper may statistically be the worst shot in NBA basketball. But as I've always said on here, I'd take a guy who can make 40% - 45% of his 2 point midrange shots, over a guy who shoots 33% from 3 . . any day of the week.  Because that guy who can make a midrange jumper, is the same guy who can slow down or stop a run.

That 20 - 0 run that the Pistons went on last night was peppered by a ton of bricked 3 point shots by the Hawks.  Had we'd just made 1 or 2 two point shots to stop the bleeding, maybe that game turns out totally different.  And that seems to be the message that LP sent to the team in his post game talk.  

The only problem, is how many guys on the Hawks can create off the dribble well enough to possibly pass up a 26 foot 3 pointer, and take an easier 17 footer off the dribble?  How many guys can receive the ball in the post and score the basketball?  How many are quick enough to get around their guy and get to the rim or shoot a floater?  And will coach adjust his "pace of play" style, in order to call one play that will get a shot closer to the basket, whether it be a shot within 6 feet, or a good look from the midrange?

So much of the "new NBA" is based on ball movement creating good looks for other guys by making the "hockey assist".  What's been lost, is the ability to create your own offense and still be an efficient scorer.  Or the 18 foot jumper that big men USED to take, instead of camping out by the 3 point line.

As bad as this team shoots, the coaching staff will have to come up with more creative ways to score the basketball.  That means possibly taking more 2s, and finding ways to free up Trae, so that he can get more open looks, instead of having to create all of his points on his own.

[NBASupes]

The ability to create your shot and dribble, pass and shoot is bigger than ever. The problem is, the Hawks got a lot of bad vets, we bad injuries or missed games by key players kills us. To be honest, we are just a homeless man's Houston Rockets. 

We got only 8 and if Len is a backup center, 9 players worth a damn. 2 of them are raw so that makes 7 useful ones. 2 are currently out so that makes just 5. No one can win with 5 or 6 if Cam is trending up players in this league. That's Houston Rockets with a lot of injuries level and they got Harden and vets so they can weather the storm, we can't. 

[BudBall]

13 minutes ago, NBASupes said:

The ability to create your shot and dribble, pass and shoot is bigger than ever. The problem is, the Hawks got a lot of bad vets, we bad injuries or missed games by key players kills us. To be honest, we are just a homeless man's Houston Rockets. 

We got only 8 and if Len is a backup center, 9 players worth a damn. 2 of them are raw so that makes 7 useful ones. 2 are currently out so that makes just 5. No one can win with 5 or 6 if Cam is trending up players in this league. That's Houston Rockets with a lot of injuries level and they got Harden and vets so they can weather the storm, we can't. 

A good coach would put their players in position to be successful if he knows he doesn't have a great 3 pt shooting team.  Instead LP is trying to copy everyone else even though he does not have personnel to do so.  Side note, Trae is starting to have the old Westbrook syndrome where he pounding the ball and not being efficient at all with a lot bad shots and stat hunting. He needs to stop forcing these rush 3s and play more like he did late last season where is playing in more rhythm of the game. Yes, his teammates suck, but he has to trust them because right now he just wasting a lot possessions with low IQ plays.

[EazyRoc]

A lot of our ills will be healed by better veterans. We shoot a bunch of 3s because that really is the only way we can generate offense. We need another guy who can create opportunities from the perimeter so Trae doesn’t feel compelled to play hero ball like he is now. Trae HAS to play hero ball for us to even have a chance because he’s the only guy who can create his own shot consistently.