NBA surprising stat, No. 3: Kyrie Irving and Khris Middleton both having a 50-40-90 season
Shooting 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from the 3-point line, and 90 percent from the free-throw line generally speaking puts them into the hall of fame. Very few guys have averaged a 50-40-90 for an entire season, and those who have are all in the hall of fame aside from a few active players who eventually will get in.
Here’s the list of 50-40-90 club members: Dirk Nowitzki – Steve Nash – Mark Price – Malcolm Brogdon – Stephen Curry – Reggie Miller – Kevin Durant – Larry Bird.
When you’re on a list with players like that, you’re doing something right. Currently, there are two players that are averaging 50-40-90, Kyrie Irving and Khris Middleton. Not only are they both averaging 50-40-90 but they also are doing it with a volume of shots.
Kyrie is at 303 field goal attempts, 53 percent from the field, 44.7 percent from 3, and 94.8 percent from the free-throw line. Middleton is right at 300 field goal attempts, 51.7 percent from the field, 45.8 percent from 3, and 92.2 percent from the free-throw line.
Other than the statistic of each of these players averaging 50-40-90, another similarity between these two guys is that they are not the first option on their team. But you can argue that these two guys are the most skilled offensively on their respective teams. Kyrie has to share the ball with James Harden and Kevin Durant who can each get you 30-40 points a night. Kyrie has to pick his spots to get his shots and of the three payers is the best ball-handler and creator.
Middleton on the other hand has to share the floor with Giannis who is the focal point of Milwaukee’s offense until the 4th quarter typically. Not to mention Jrue Holiday, who’s a capable shooter and a guy who has the ball in his hands a lot. With all that being said, Middleton is great at getting his shot and being efficient even though he’s the “2nd option.”
Can they each finish the season averaging 50-40-90? History says no, as there have never been two players in the same season to average those percentages. However, my gut tells me that they can if the dynamic on their team stays the same.