Ezra Shaw - Getty Images
As Jerry Reynolds likes to say, the goal of a basketball game is to put the ball in the basket. If you can't do that, you're not going to win many games. The Kings have been atrocious at putting the ball in the basket, shooting just 39.0% from the field and 25.8% from three point range through the first 15 games of the season. Those are terrible numbers, but just how terrible are they?
Well since the advent of the three-point line in the 1979-80 season, no team has shot below 40% from the floor for the season or 26% from three. The Kings are currently beneath both marks (H/T Alex Kramers). The lockout definitely has been a factor, as you can see by the fact that of the four teams just ahead of the Kings, three of them (the Bulls, Hawks and Nets) were from the shortened 1998-99 season, and the other (the Wizards) is from this year.
UPDATE: I had originally put that the Kings were on pace to be the worst shooting three point team at all time as well. I was mistaken. The Kings, while bad from three, are not nearly the worst, as many teams struggled to adapt to the line in its first 10 years. This year's Lakers are actually worse from three than the Kings at 25%, but both those teams are shooting worse from 3 than any team has since the 1990-91 season.
On an individual basis, Jason Thompson is the only Kings player shooting well, currently at 56.3%. The next highest is DeMarcus Cousins at 42.3%. Six Kings are shooting below 40% and one under 30%. From three, Marcus Thornton is shooting a team high 34.2% (a career low) and Isaiah Thomas is the next highest at 28.1%.
Considering these numbers, it's kind of amazing to think that the Kings have managed to win 5 games. They've done so by getting to the line (3rd most FTA in the league) and rebounding their own misses (1st in the league).
Just based on historical numbers for most of these players, I don't think this shooting slump can continue to sustain itself over the course of the remaining 51 games. But if it does, every game will be a battle merely to stay competitive.
1 recs | 81 comments
nobody look at this article!!!!!!
yaboyrafa - January 19, 2012
Should we have a dance thread for being record setters?
Carl - January 19, 2012
section214 - January 19, 2012
StevenG - January 19, 2012
rubenho - January 19, 2012
If they are close to the record in the last game
I say constant cherry picking in the last game and only shoot open layups, everything else I would throw out of bounds for a turnover.
ElRonToro - January 19, 2012
So we can set a record for most turnovers?
At least we will be the best at something.
SharkKings49 - January 19, 2012
We already have the second part down!
SPTSJUNKIE - January 19, 2012
Should come naturally
ElRonToro - January 19, 2012
Woohoo go kings! Record setters baby!!!
CousinsEvansDUO - January 19, 2012
As mind-boggling as these numbers are
This gives me more hope for the season than it takes away. I have to believe that they are at least 4-5 percentage points off their “true” shooting percentage, and that alone would cut our current point differential in half (roughly).
5-10 W-L with the current shooting percentage might equate to 7-8 with everyone at their career shooting averages. Now sprinkle in some improved defense and emerging young stars, and we are looking like that borderline 8th seed again.
Not saying it will happen this year, just saying that we aren’t as far away as we sometimes feel given the recent nastiness.
RJinFairOaks - January 19, 2012
It will improve
Kings wont shoot this historically bad all season. It will be low but it will trend.
kingme18 - January 19, 2012
Yesterday's ball movement actually really rose my confidence.
This shooting slump can’t possibly continue, and as long as the foundations of our offense (aka passing, spacing, game plan) are strong, the shots will eventually fall.
THE FOUNDATIONS OF OUR ECONOMY ARE STRONG
LightningStrike5 - January 19, 2012
mjjr42002 - January 19, 2012
kwlarson - January 19, 2012
Jimmers Shot
It looks to me that Jimmer is shooting the ball when he is on his way back down on his jump shot. I am not sure how Jimmer’s jumper has traditionally been but I was always under the assumption that you are supposed to be releasing the ball at the apex of your jumper. I never watched Jimmer before he came to the Kings so I am not sure if he always shot this way. Is anybody else seeing this?
khoganso - January 19, 2012
I hadn't noticed
his elbow has been out a little but that should male the shot go left or right and he isn’t having that problem. Shooting at the apex is by far the best, but if you can’t do that, shooting on the way up is the second best choice, on the way down makes it nearly impossible to make a shot.
You have got me curious I will look next game.
ElRonToro - January 19, 2012
I have noticed that
Especially off the dribble, he seems to hang in the air a bit and release as he’s coming down instead of at the height of his jump.
Aykis16 - January 19, 2012
mjjr42002 - January 19, 2012
We´ve been baaaad
rubenho - January 19, 2012
Need to become this bad
rubenho - January 19, 2012
Just to add to the party
Travis Outlaw is on pace to break Nick Anderson’s record for worst FG% in the Sac-era (minimum 100 minutes played), and has a shot (no pun intented) at catching Chris Webber for the 3PT% title. Good times.
doktakra - January 19, 2012
MY GOODNESS
Outlaw is terrible…just terrible and HE KEEPS SHOOTING! UGH!
mdotbrown - January 19, 2012
CowbellKings - January 19, 2012
Jimmers shot
Jimmer is a lethal shooter with near unlimited range, that said the most important thing for a shooter is confidence and repitition and Jimmer has lost his confidence and isn’t getting enough reps to develop any rhythm. The Kings are in a tough spot. He needs significant minutes and shots but his play and the play of others doesn’t warrant that he gets it. Tough situation since the Kings are loaded with guards. I think he’ll be traded, I don’t know when but the Kings are the wrong team for Jimmer.
bankers hours - January 19, 2012
I would be shocked if JF is traded without completing
2 seasons with the Kings (or hitting 3 3s in a row, whichever comes first).
Also, no team in the league will give JF many minutes right now because he is playing like crap.
ElRonToro - January 19, 2012
Hmmm -
Adam’s shot
Adam is a lethal shooter with near unlimited range, that said the most important thing for a shooter is confidence and repitition and Adam has lost his confidence and isn’t getting enough reps to develop any rhythm. The Bobcats are in a tough spot. He needs significant minutes and shots but his play and the play of others doesn’t warrant that he gets it. Tough situation since the Bobcats are loaded with guards. I think he’ll be traded, I don’t know when but the Bobcats are the wrong team for Adam.
Hey, it works!
section214 - January 19, 2012
uh oh
lead_pipe - January 19, 2012
That's verbatim what went through my head when I read it
otis29 - January 19, 2012
Tweaked
SPTSJUNKIE - January 19, 2012
Pretty sure that wave of people storming your front door right now are very real and very, very angry.
I highly recommend exiting the building and felling the country post-haste. The Brighams are coming.
iashwash - January 19, 2012
its ok , they're young
ElRonToro - January 19, 2012
You guys are a riot
But I’m still betting Jimmer ends up making believers out of you. It will be fun to see so many people eating crow. But then again it looks like everyone was right about Rubio being a bust. :)
SavageBeast - January 19, 2012
I don't think most of the regulars are hating on Jimmer.
Realistically we have just passed on month of games – which is normally the end of the pre-season.
He’ll be fine. But there’s so many extreme feelings on both sides of Jimmer-Gate, it’s fun to joke around with.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 19, 2012
I don't think that it's a matter of thinking that Jimmer will be a bust (at least not for me)
It’s a matter of thinking that he is somehow owed something or that his game is being victimized by his teammates.
Jimmer is getting up 8 shots in 22 minutes a night, with almost half of those being from 3 point range. The result is 7.1ppg and a PER of 7.6
Paul George plays 10 more minutes a night, yet his shots per game are similar (8.5 and 3.4, respectively). He is averaging11.2ppg (or about 60% better than Jimmer) with a PER of 14.2.
Mario Chalmers is playing 29 minutes a night, and is hoisting up the same number of shots as Jimmer per game, though a higher number of 3’s (about 4.5). Chalmers is averaging 12ppg with a PER of 17.8.
Now, can the argument be made that George and Chalmers benefit from having better players around them? Absolutely. But the fact remains that these guys get limited opportunities, and they make the most of them.
I just don’t get why Thornton’s problems are Thornton’s problems, Evans’ problems are Evans’ problems, but Jimmer’s problems are everyone else’s problems. And I sure don’t understand why the Kings need to think about trading him, or what they could possibly obtain for him.
I’m rooting for the Kings and hope that Jimmer can be a part of it, not the other way around.
section214 - January 19, 2012
It's simple
Banker don’t give a shit about the Kings and only cares about caressing his Jimmer and will use any and all excuses to bitch and moan about anything and everything when he doesn’t get his way.
The end.
wallywagon11 - January 19, 2012
Pictured: Properly Caressing One's Jimmer
SPTSJUNKIE - January 19, 2012
Maybe he is missing because he is awfully wrong with how he holds his left hand
prowseinthehouse - January 19, 2012
I meant more how the defender is caressing Jimmer's... Let's say stomach
SPTSJUNKIE - January 19, 2012
Oh I got it
but I’m all about being professional
prowseinthehouse - January 19, 2012
Courtesy of Left 4 Dead 2... The Jimmer Jockey.
HarveySpecter - January 19, 2012
Fully agree with this Section. Nicely articulated.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 19, 2012
Sometimes I think the last two years spoiled us in this regard.
Demarcus and Tyreke were two rookies whose play demanded that the team focus some of the offense on them. This is not, and should not be the case with all rookies. Traditionally rookies kinda suck, have to pay their dues, and slowly get better. This is natural progress. In a way, Jimmer is right where he should be because he is a rookie who did not have a training camp or summer league or a pre-seaon for that matter. He is figuring it out and that is no person’s fault.
I have full confidence that he will put it all together offensively. Defensively? Not quite as confident.
Rec’d.
Jim Les - January 19, 2012
Agreed
I think that he can still be JJ Redick, and that’s not bad. Redick really started to hit his stride in his 4th year, at the age of 25.
section214 - January 19, 2012
If only his game was remotely close to reddick's
Reddick is a catch and shoot spot up jump shooter. Jimmer thinks he is a playmaker….gonna be interesting how it shakes out. Only thing they have in common is race and the fact that they had great college careers.
Pdidd - January 20, 2012
Comparing their college numbers
Redick got 34% of his points 27ppg from 2 point land his senior year, 43% from 3 and 23% from the line. Jimmer got 42% of his 29ppg from 2, 35% from 3 and 24% from the line. So it appears that Redick scored from beyond the arc more, Fredette inside the arc more, and both got to the line about the same. Both were shoot first, shoot second, shoot third, pass fourth players, as it was to the benefit of their respective teams.
Redick really didn’t become a 3-point specialist until he had to adapt his game for the pros. It will be interesting to see if Fredette has the ability to get to the rim in the NBA or ever become a capable “point guard”, or whether he, like Redick, will have to adapt his game. My bet is on the latter – Fredette’s ticket is to become a dangerous stop and pop shooter, in my opinion.
section214 - January 20, 2012
Jimmer did have better advanced passing numers than Redick
Don’t know exactly what will translate, but Jimmer appeared to fall about halfway between Redick & Curry in terms of college PG skills.
SPTSJUNKIE - January 20, 2012
I don't think Jimmer thinks that he is a playmaker
I think he is just so focused to prove he is not a chucker that he is forcing himself to do things he’s not comfortable with
prowseinthehouse - January 20, 2012
It´s also the third year in a row
when we throw a rookie into the laegue and expect him (at least prior to the season) to make a huge impact immediately. That´s usually not what rookies do, and it´s not Jimmers fault that this team is bad enough to expect said rookie to be a savior.
On the other hand, most of the Jimmerians have realized by now that the guy needs a little more time. I´m still not worried about him, maybe because I never expected all that much from him. As others have mentioned, he´s a professional now and he will be measured by the same standards as everyone else. Obviously the team doesn´t offer a huge amount of help on the court, but Fredette´s the one who needs to figure out how to make an open shot. I´m sure he will, but as long as IT is playing better, IT should get more minutes.
rubenho - January 20, 2012
Agree completely
Don’t whst his problem id, but it is not other players.
SavageBeast - January 19, 2012 via mobile
!
see more Gifs!
mjjr42002 - January 19, 2012
You just won life.
LightningStrike5 - January 19, 2012
well that's just plain offensive!
I still remember me being the lone idiot moron in a conversation with a group of friends about how Morrison was sucking as for the Bobcats during his first season (was living in Spokane at the time).
wallywagon11 - January 19, 2012
*sucking ass
and yeah, that ACL ain’t what did him in.
wallywagon11 - January 19, 2012
I want to see Jimmer shoot more corner 3's.
getPGwithbounce - January 19, 2012
I want to see Jimmer make more corner threes!
SPTSJUNKIE - January 19, 2012
I want to see Jimmer spell three
ElRonToro - January 19, 2012
You think it's a distance thing? Jimmer? Really??
I’m not sure why he’s shooting like crap, I think it’ more of stylistic thing that he has to adjust to. He was used to having the ball in his hands, or having plays called for him, now he’s been relegated a lot more to a catch and shoot which is a much different role for him. However, he’s still missing a lot of his “Jimmer” shots. He obviously not chucking the 25-30 foot shots in the NBA, but the ‘corner’ three isn’t the issue here, it’s a confidence/adjustment thing for Jimmer. He started out slow at BYU his freshman year and gradually got better. He’s a hard worker, I have confidence he’ll adapt his game to find a proper role in the NBA where he’ll be successful.
Smills9133 - January 19, 2012
I agree completely with this
Sure the length/speed of the defenders will take some time to adjust to…but I believe it is mainly a confidence thing. He’ll adjust and when he does I believe we will all enjoy what happens
Pdidd - January 20, 2012
If you want to see some good shooting for an evening
Kevin Martin is having one of his patented nights so far, 8-9, 21 points in the first half so far.
Grasul - January 19, 2012
I miss that guy.
Still upset about that trade.
iashwash - January 19, 2012
Oh come on
That traded netted us
Carl Landrycap spaceMarcus Thornton…section214 - January 19, 2012
You say that, but you still cuddle at night with your #23 jersey.
Don’t play big with me section, I know who you are deep inside.
iashwash - January 19, 2012
True
same amount of points for just 5 more shots. Its good though that MT is a better handler and passer than K-Mart
ElRonToro - January 19, 2012
Plus 4-5 million a year, which buys you one Chuck Hayes
SPTSJUNKIE - January 19, 2012
Who can go grab the extra 5 shots
circle of life
ElRonToro - January 19, 2012
Jimmer
I’ll try to keep this very brief.
Jimmer will shoot better when the team is shooting better. Reggie Miller could have been a great shooter on any team he played for…any.
Mark Price needed threats like Brad Daugherty, Craig Ehlo and Larry Nance on the floor to showcase his shooting prowess. Mark Price was a very good NBA player.
Jimmer is not Reggie. We knew this.
Jim Les - January 19, 2012
But if ever start making baskets . . . watch out!
Ba-Da Bing - January 19, 2012
You figured that out all by yourself, wow, that’s impressive. You’re right I care far more about Jimmer than the Kings but stand by my statement. I didn’t say he was playing well and I didn’t say he deserves more minutes. What I did say that to improve he needs reps, confidence, and playing time and that’s a tough fit right now. It’s your problem if you’re a life long suffering Kings fan. They stink and always will.
bankers hours - January 19, 2012
U mad?
HarveySpecter - January 19, 2012
The reply button is to you
what the bottom of the net is to Jimmer.
section214 - January 19, 2012
So this is what a Sasha Vujacic fan would sound like
wallywagon11 - January 19, 2012
if he had a fan
Bluejohn - January 19, 2012
so...
Glens Falls, Schenectady, Saratoga Springs, or Troy?
RJinFairOaks - January 19, 2012
Banker--
This may be cold harsh reality hitting you in the face here. At this point Jimmer’s problem is not lack of shots. It’s that he hasn’t proven himself to make them at the NBA level.
I really have high hopes for the guy.
But Jimmer’s shooting numbers are inferior to most players on the Kings. And his college senior year shooting numbers are inferior to the junior year of our previous college sharpshooter, Quincy Douby.
Quincy didn’t pan out in the NBA, for us or Toronto. Hopefully Jimmer proves he can.
But he has proven nothing yet, and that is not fault of anybody else but him.
unfair weather - January 20, 2012
Playing the Quincy Douby card is hitting below the belt,
HighTops - January 20, 2012
I think I have found the problem
Hey team, time for shooting practice.
Bill2 - January 19, 2012
Just for chuckles, sidebar post:
Vlade in Space Jam XD.
HarveySpecter - January 19, 2012
http://s1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh517/1convoy/?action=view¤t=Picture2.png
convoy - January 22, 2012
http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh517/1convoy/Picture2.png
convoy - January 22, 2012
convoy - January 22, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Sactown Royalty to post a comment.