02-08-2024, 10:16 PM
(02-08-2024, 09:05 PM)F Gump Wrote: There's 2 ways to look at this. One is your pov here, but there may be a better one to consider.
It's clear that SD's shooting pcts have not been good this season.
But I find it interesting -- and perhaps very informative -- that SD changed teams mid-season two different times. In both of those seasons, he played much of the season with Dallas, and then with another team.
Both of those times, his shooting percentages were way better in Dallas, and way worse on the other team. Same player. Same season. But way different shooter in Dallas. And each of those non-Dallas stints looked alike, and also look like his season in BKN this year. Look it up, the data on his shooting says he is a completely different player in Dallas.
If I'm not mistaken, there was also a big difference in how he was used in WAS and BKN. In those places, wasn't he the PRIMARY ball-handler, initiating the offense every time down? Whereas, in Dallas, he played mostly off the ball, but with the opportunity to handle the ball and attack at times as needed. Is that pointing to a different explanation as to why he has such different results as a Mav? - it's not luck, or a bad player blooming then regressing, but rather being used in a way that better suits his skills.
To be clear, I was responding to a post that was complaining about sample size regarding his shooting and merely pointing out that the sample is quite large. I don't disagree with your overall premise, but the guy has a career 3 point shooting percentage of 33 including his time in Dallas. While its reasonable to expect it to be higher in Dallas, I think it unlikely he will shoot over 40% like he did previously if he returns.