ESPN’s Tom Haberstroh released some statistics that suggest Steph Curry is just as efficient at three-point shooting as he is at layups. Is that actually possible?
Jason Coldiron: Theoretically, yes. If you think about it, players get so good at layups because they practice so much and use the same shooting motion. If a player (like Curry) is able to replicate that same muscle memory repeatedly from great distance, they should be able to be just as effective.
Jay Rosales: Haberstroh indicated that draining 47% of 3s is like hitting 70% of layups….which Curry almost accomplished last season. So, no it’s not impossible. In fact, you could probably find an under-sized guard who had below-average layup FG%, yet above-average 3pt FG%.
Evan Caulfield: With Stephen Curry, anything is possible. The reigning MVP is shooting a career-high 47% from behind the arc this season, and is already in the top 50 for career 3-point fields goals made.
John Armstrong: When you’re Stephen Curry, it is. For everyone else, not so much. Except for Rajon Rondo; I think he’s as efficient from 3-point range as he is at layups. Take a second to let that sink in.
Nicholas Hughes: It’s often overlooked, but Steph Curry is more than capable of penetrating and finishing around the hoop. That being said though, Curry’s calling card is his stroke from beyond the arc. It’s ridiculous to say that anyone will ever be better at shooting a ball from 20 plus feet away than they are at laying one in just a couple feet removed from the basket.
However, the extra point added for shooting from beyond the arc certainly makes up for it. Curry’s expected value on shots he takes inside the arc this season is 1.22 points per possession, from deep though that number rises to 1.41 points. That might not seem like much of a difference, but over the course of a season that adds up.
Brandon Osborne: No, but if it were Curry would be the guy to do it.
Michael Saenz: I get what Haberstroh is trying to say, but I’m not going to sit here and type that Steph Curry is better at shooti– wait, he hit another eight 3’s? Yes. It’s true.
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