Sir Charles in Charge
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Cleveland Cavaliers: The numbers suggest LeBron James’ new shooting motion is working

By Michael Saenz

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a shot defended by Shaun Livingston #34 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 12: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers attempts a shot defended by Shaun Livingston #34 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 12, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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LeBron James adjusted his shooting motion this summer, in part due to injury, and it’s paying off thus far for the Cleveland Cavaliers

For a player like LeBron James, who could end up being considered the best NBA player in history, there aren’t many ways to “improve” in a season to season basis. For these types of generational players, consistency is the key.

And LeBron James has mastered that. Heck, he’s made the NBA Finals for the last eight seasons.

However, if there is one “hole” in his game, it’s definitely his shooting – specifically, the 3-point shot. Interestingly, LeBron, at the age of 32, made a change to his shooting motion. For a player entering his 15th season, it’s actually quite rare to do such a thing.

"[via ESPN]"

More from Sir Charles In Charge

"James told ESPN that his right shooting elbow mysteriously swelled to the size of a tennis ball a few weeks after the conclusion of the NBA Finals. It was concerning enough for James to have his elbow medically examined: X-rays came back negative and an MRI showed no structural damage.Rather than interrupt his offseason training regimen, James chose to work around the injury. He changed his shooting motion to end with a higher release point in order to minimize discomfort in his elbow when going through his daily shooting drills. While he has consulted shooting coaches in the past, James did this on his own."

But, in part due to injury, this was something that LeBron was forced to do. And four games into the season, the shooting change is paying off.

Albiet, it’s an extremely small sample size. Nevertheless, the numbers are quite interesting.

LeBron is averaging 27 points on 61 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent shooting from 3-point range (on 4.5 attempts per game). Both would be career-high clips if he can keep this up.

We still don’t know, and can’t know, if this is sustainable yet. That’s ultimately what matters, after all. Although, the early returns have to be eye opening. If LeBron can even shoot the 3-ball at 40 percent from the field, a clip that he has only hit one other time in his career (2012-13), good luck stopping him.

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This is definitely a story that should be revisited in, say, another month or two. If he is still shooting at a 40 percent clip from 3-point range, it’s going to be quite interesting to see this narrative continue to spin.

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