By Law Murray | The Athletic, 2025-12-18 10:30:00

本月,我向洛杉矶湖人队主教练JJ·雷迪克 (JJ Redick) 询问了他如何评估整个NBA的投射水平。雷迪克有一块“激光板”。能登上这块板的球员,都是他的球队需要重点提防的优秀三分射手。
“然后,还有‘电击枪’,”雷迪克说。“当他们投进时,你会像被电到一样震惊。”
我问了JJ·雷迪克关于投篮的问题。
他提到他有一块“激光”板。一块令人胆寒的板。
他还提到也有“电击枪”(“球进的时候,你会像被电到一样震惊。”)
JJ以前被电击过吗?
“我不记得了” pic.twitter.com/4bq1avN0Jg
— Law Murray
(@ LawMurrayTheNU) 2025年12月11日
那天晚上晚些时候,当晚赛前三分命中率仅为25%的马库斯·斯马特 (Marcus Smart) 投进了8记三分球,但球队最终还是输了球。整个赛季,湖人队没有其他任何球员能在单场比赛中投进这么多三分。圣安东尼奥马刺队简直就像被电击得找不着北了。
但这就是现在的NBA。这是一个投射产量至上的联盟,不一定是因为跳投出手次数更多了,而是因为中距离出手减少了,而三分球出手增加了。2025年秋季,各队的三分命中率(36%)与2013-14赛季持平,但在过去十二个赛季里,三分出手数增长了超过70%,从场均21.5次增加到36.9次。与油漆区内(尤其是在合理冲撞区)和三分线外的投篮相比,中距离投篮的价值相形见绌:
就这一点而言,联盟中有70名球员至少出战10场比赛,场均至少出手1.0次三分,且命中率低于30%。而在12个赛季前,这样的球员大约有40名。但在2013-14赛季,只有10名球员在出战至少10场比赛的情况下,场均能命中2.0记以上的三分,同时命中率超过40%。而本赛季,这样的球员有30名。
神射手(Lasers)越来越多,电击枪(Tasers)也层出不穷。
“以前,当我在克利夫兰执教对抗勒布朗时,他和J.R.·史密斯 (J.R. Smith) 一起打球,嗯,史密斯的命中率不高,”Amazon Prime Video分析师、前NBA主教练及高管斯坦·范甘迪 (Stan Van Gundy) 告诉The Athletic。“但他能找到手感。他会一直投。那些一场比赛能投进六七个的球员是我担心的对象。一个球员投进一两个,对我来说,艾尔·霍福德 (Al Horford) 过去一直就是这样。现在他也开始投得更多了。”
“我的意思是,出手数量和命中率同等重要,甚至更重要。”
这是我第四年在The Athletic分析全队的投射能力,这也是我最喜欢的活动之一。虽然我享受最终的结果,但我更欣赏探讨在NBA中投篮意味着什么的过程。此外,尽管“投进或投失决定成败”是联盟的一大话题,但我从中也学到了很多关于组建球队的其他方面,这些球队拥有足够的投射能力,并因此或尽管投射不佳仍能赢得比赛。
问了马刺队教练米奇·约翰逊关于联盟投射的问题
米奇:“有些年份,如果你看看联盟中一些投射最好的球队,你不会把他们拉到LA Fitness健身房,然后说他们拥有9个最好的射手,所以他们的命中率最高。” pic.twitter.com/o0ausfx0wO
— Law Murray
(@ LawMurrayTheNU) 2025年12月11日
今年,我调整了计算公式,以体现三分球比中距离投篮价值高得多的事实(但没有完全忽略中距离)。由于即将到来的交易季会导致阵容多变,本次排名以NBA季中锦标赛作为数据统计的截止点,并综合考量了以下几类指标:
- 罚球命中率
- 场均中距离命中数(油漆区外的两分球)
- 中距离投篮命中率
- 场均三分命中数
- 三分命中率
我们将分析每支球队的投射实力,以及投射能力是否与球队的胜场总数存在关联:
https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/e5oEh?dark=true
https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/e5oEh?dark=false
1. 丹佛掘金
加权平均排名: 5.7
2024年排名: 并列第18
2023年排名: 第19
2022年排名: 第5
最大优势: 中距离命中率第一
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第14
分析: 在迈克尔·马龙 (Michael Malone) 的执教下,拥有尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić) 的掘金队多年来进攻出色,但从未进入联盟前三。并且在2023年夺冠后的两个赛季里,掘金队的三分出手数是联盟最少的。丹佛本赛季的三分出手数仍然只排在第22位,但这支球队如今的投射却极具杀伤力。掘金是联盟中唯一一支在罚球命中率、中距离命中率和三分命中率上都排名前五的球队。约基奇是其中的关键,他油漆区外的两分球命中率高达59.5%,但贾马尔·默里 (Jamal Murray) 的中距离命中率也达到了52.9%,这是冠军后卫必备的武器,而且他的中距离出手数是约基奇的两倍。丹佛的战绩非常出色,如果不是因为无法迫使对手失误而在回合占有率上处于劣势,他们强大的进攻火力会更令人窒息。
2. 俄克拉荷马城雷霆
加权平均排名: 7.1
2024年排名: 第4
2023年排名: 第1
2022年排名: 第16
最大优势: 罚球命中率第一
最大短板: 场均中距离命中数第11
分析: 截至NBA季中锦标赛,联盟各队的罚球命中率为78.8%。这将创造一项自2019-20赛季开始以来已被四次刷新的纪录,而当然,强大的雷霆队以83.4%的罚球命中率领跑全联盟,这主要得益于卫冕MVP谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 的88.4%的命中率。吉尔杰斯-亚历山大也是队中唯一稳定的中距离威胁点,他场均出手5.0次油漆区外的两分球,命中率高达51.2%。俄克拉荷马城拥有历史级的防守,而他们最好的球员也让球队的进攻同样强大。
3. 纽约尼克斯
加权平均排名: 7.9
2024年排名: 第1
2023年排名: 第13
2022年排名: 第30
最大优势: 场均三分命中数第四
最大短板: 场均中距离命中数第14
分析: 尼克斯拥有非常出色的投射水平。队内场均出场时间排名前八的球员,每人场均都能命中超过1.0记三分球,而这八人中只有乔丹·克拉克森 (Jordan Clarkson) 的三分命中率(28.6%)低于联盟平均水平(36%)。纽约是一支投射下限很高的球队,所以即使他们没有太多的中距离威胁,但他们有控球后卫杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson) 场均命中2.0个中距离投篮,命中率高达51.6%。尼克斯是联盟投射能力前五的球队,他们的战绩也反映了这一点。
4. 波士顿凯尔特人
加权平均排名: 8.7
2024年排名: 第10
2023年排名: 第7
2022年排名: 第1
最大优势: 场均三分命中数第二
最大短板: 罚球命中率第21
分析: 这关乎波士顿的建队哲学。凯尔特人很少失误,这让他们经常在回合占有率之争中胜出,并帮助他们以惊人的速度出手三分。波士顿有五名球员场均至少命中2.0记三分,由控球后卫德里克·怀特 (Derrick White) 的3.1记领衔。不过,凯尔特人是一支罚球命中率排名联盟后十位的球队,尽管杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown) 考虑到他上罚球线的频率,76.9%的命中率还算不错。波士顿在油漆区得分差方面处于联盟平均水平,但他们仍然超出了预期,因为他们能用三分球的数量压倒对手。
5. 菲尼克斯太阳
加权平均排名: 10.1
2024年排名: 第2
2023年排名: 第15
2022年排名: 第4
最大优势: 场均三分命中数第七
最大短板: 罚球命中率第15
分析: 凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant) 已经不在这里了,但太阳队似乎总能排在很高的位置。这是一支围绕德文·布克 (Devin Booker) 和众多射手打造的球队,尤其是在杰伦·格林 (Jalen Green) 因伤本赛季只打了五节比赛的情况下。虽然布克的三分投射赛季表现不佳(场均命中1.7个,命中率30.2%为生涯新低),但他有四位队友场均三分命中数比他还多,分别是格雷森·阿伦 (Grayson Allen)、罗伊斯·奥尼尔 (Royce O’Neale)、科林·吉莱斯皮 (Collin Gillespie) 和狄龙·布鲁克斯 (Dillon Brooks)。太阳队超出了预期,但他们仍然更接近于一支平均水平的球队而非强队,因为他们在油漆区场均净负4.1分。
6. 密尔沃基雄鹿
加权平均排名: 10.3
2024年排名: 第6
2023年排名: 第3
2022年排名: 第10
最大优势: 三分命中率第一
最大短板: 罚球命中率第30
分析: 雄鹿队在这些投射排名中总是备受青睐,因为他们围绕扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo) 打造了一支射手队伍。密尔沃基以联盟第一的40.4%命中率投射三分,其中得分后卫AJ·格林 (AJ Green) 场均出手6.8次,命中率高达48.5%。另一方面,阿德托昆博63.5%的罚球命中率严重拖累了球队,导致密尔沃基的罚球命中率(71.7%)联盟垫底。本赛季,雄鹿队因为联盟倒数前五的回合占有率之争净胜分而陷入困境。他们的进攻篮板差额是联盟中最差的。
7. 金州勇士
加权平均排名: 11.3
2024年排名: 第23
2023年排名: 第5
2022年排名: 第3
最大优势: 场均三分命中数第一
最大短板: 中距离命中率第29
分析: 勇士队将从这次更恰当加权三分球的排名中受益。他们是联盟中唯一一支场均命中超过16记三分的球队,斯蒂芬·库里 (Stephen Curry) 场均命中5.2记三分,创五年来新高。库里场均出手2.1次中距离,命中率也达到45.9%,但小吉米·巴特勒 (Jimmy Butler III)(32.5%)、布兰丁·波杰姆斯基 (Brandin Podziemski)(32.4%)和乔纳森·库明加 (Jonathan Kuminga)(26.3%)在他们的油漆区外两分球上效率要低得多。尽管金州勇士的三分投射能力很强,但他们在快攻得分差上排在联盟倒数前五,同时在油漆区得分差上排名第29。
8. 亚特兰大老鹰
加权平均排名: 11.4
2024年排名: 第24
2023年排名: 第2
2022年排名: 第18
最大优势: 中距离命中率第三
最大短板: 场均中距离命中数第22
分析: 杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson) 提升了他的中距离比赛,此类出手命中率达到45.9%,而新援克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porziņģis)(55.9%)和尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)(42.9%)也构成了威胁。在主教练奎因·斯奈德 (Quin Snyder) 的带领下,亚特兰大从未像他们应该的那样多地尝试中距离出手,即使在特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 缺席了这么多比赛的情况下,情况依然如此。
9. 圣安东尼奥马刺
加权平均排名: 12.3
2024年排名: 第16
2023年排名: 第21
2022年排名: 第21
最大优势: 中距离命中率第10
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第15
分析: 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 是一个可怕的篮球运动员。他将自己的三分出手量从上赛季的场均8.8次减少到本赛季的4.5次。中距离出手则从上赛季的3.1次(命中率40.1%)略微增加到本赛季的4.4次(命中率42.1%)。小前锋德文·瓦塞尔 (Devin Vassell) 场均出手3.0次中距离,命中率也达到了47.3%。圣安东尼奥的替补席上没有太多射手,但他们拥有的射手们持续表现出色且技术全面。马刺队在快攻中表现得非常可怕,他们场均快攻净胜对手3.5分,排名联盟第二。
10. 明尼苏达森林狼
加权平均排名: 13.1
2024年排名: 第12
2023年排名: 第12
2022年排名: 第20
最大优势: 三分命中率第四
最大短板: 罚球命中率第24
分析: 在他的第六个NBA赛季,安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards) 的三分命中率高达41.6%,场均出手8.1次。这与斯蒂芬·库里在他第六个NBA赛季的场均三分出手数相同,当时库里以44.3%的命中率赢得了他的第一个MVP奖项。本赛季,爱德华兹身边有了一位“水花兄弟”杰登·麦克丹尼尔斯 (Jaden McDaniels),后者场均出手3.6次三分,命中率提升至41.8%。中锋鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert) 52%的罚球命中率拉低了球队的整体投射水平。
在华盛顿,克里斯·米德尔顿的中距离依旧是对手的噩梦。(Trevor Ruszkowski / Imagn Images)
11. 华盛顿奇才
加权平均排名: 13.6
2024年排名: 第27
2023年排名: 第28
2022年排名: 第17
最大优势: 场均中距离命中数第五
最大短板: 罚球命中率第29
分析: 华盛顿真的很糟糕,只有密尔沃基的罚球比他们更差。中锋亚历山大·萨尔 (Alexandre Sarr) 的罚球命中率只有63.9%,这可不是你想和扬尼斯共有的特点。但由于前雄鹿冠军成员克里斯·米德尔顿 (Khris Middleton) 和CJ·麦科勒姆 (CJ McCollum) 这两位经验丰富、精通高水平中距离艺术的球员的存在,华盛顿拥有一个不错的射手群。米德尔顿的中距离依然稳如泰山,场均出手3.1次,命中率高达56%,而麦科勒姆场均出手2.7次中距离,命中率为42.2%。华盛顿的三分命中率也排在联盟前十。奇才队的问题在于,他们在油漆区会被痛击,而且没有球队在回合占有率之争中比他们更差。
12. 休斯顿火箭
加权平均排名: 13.9
2024年排名: 第26
2023年排名: 第17
2022年排名: 第26
最大优势: 三分命中率第三
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第24
分析: 休斯顿每年在这些排名中都表现不佳,而现在,火箭队是唯一一支场均三分出手次数不足30次的球队。但成为一支精准的三分球队比成为一支高产的球队更重要。在三分出手最多的10支球队中,只有4支球队的战绩过半,但火箭队是三分命中率排名前10且战绩过半的8支球队之一。拥有杜兰特(40.4%)固然有帮助,但为里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard)(43.7%)和阿龙·霍勒迪 (Aaron Holiday)(45.3%)争取更多出手,同时乘着塔里·伊森 (Tari Eason)(50.9%)和约什·奥科吉 (Josh Okogie)(41%)不可持续的火热手感,也起到了作用。休斯顿的优秀不仅在于高于平均水平的投射;他们在快攻得分差上排名前十,回合占有率之争中排名前五,油漆区得分差上排名前三。
13. 费城76人
加权平均排名: 15.0
2024年排名: 第30
2023年排名: 第4
2022年排名: 第6
最大优势: 罚球命中率第六
最大短板: 中距离命中率第25
分析: 这仍然是一支中距离投射糟糕的球队,但这并非因为球星泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey)、乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 或保罗·乔治 (Paul George),他们三人的油漆区外两分球命中率都超过了40%。如果恩比德和乔治能打更多比赛,费城显然会更好。但年轻后卫VJ·埃奇科姆 (VJ Edgecombe)、昆廷·格莱姆斯 (Quentin Grimes) 和贾里德·麦凯恩 (Jared McCain) 合计中距离出手53次仅命中9球。另一方面,所有这些球员都是可靠的罚球手,而在上赛季完全缺乏投射之后,费城本赛季回到了平均水平的三分投射球队行列。
14. 洛杉矶湖人
加权平均排名: 15.3
2024年排名: 并列第18
2023年排名: 第29
2022年排名: 第29
最大优势: 中距离命中率第二
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第23
分析: 在高难度投篮方面,湖人队堪称大师。所有五名首发球员(卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić)、奥斯汀·里夫斯 (Austin Reaves)、勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James)、八村垒 (Rui Hachimura) 和德安德烈·艾顿 (Deandre Ayton))的中距离命中率都至少达到42.9%,其中并非主要持球创造者的八村垒(54.3%)和艾顿(66.7%)更是投出了惊人的命中率。但湖人是联盟中唯一一支场均接球就投三分出手次数不足20次的球队。这支湖人队比过去五年的大多数版本都要好,因为他们在油漆区得分超过对手,统治了罚球线,并且对输掉焦灼的比赛“过敏”。
15. 迈阿密热火
加权平均排名: 15.7
2024年排名: 第15
2023年排名: 第6
2022年排名: 第24
最大优势: 三分命中率第10
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第20
分析: 热火队在组建拥有精准三分射手的阵容方面做得相当出色。诺曼·鲍威尔 (Norman Powell)、安德鲁·威金斯 (Andrew Wiggins) 和达维恩·米切尔 (Davion Mitchell) 都在2025年来到迈阿密,为热火提供了高效的投射。随着泰勒·希罗 (Tyler Herro) 伤愈复出以及巴姆·阿德巴约 (Bam Adebayo) 投出比以往任何时候都多的三分球,他们的出手量将会更好。有趣的是,迈阿密在这里的排名几乎与其整体胜率相符。
T-16. 克利夫兰骑士
加权平均排名: 16.3
2024年排名: 第5
2023年排名: 第18
2022年排名: 第14
最大优势: 场均三分命中数第五
最大短板: 三分命中率第28
分析: 和上赛季一样,骑士队出手大量的三分球。在场均出场超过20分钟的九名球员中,唯一一个场均三分命中数不足1.0个的是中锋贾勒特·阿伦 (Jarrett Allen)。今年克利夫兰队的问题在于,围绕多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell) 和埃文·莫布里 (Evan Mobley) 的三分投射有多么不准。达里厄斯·加兰 (Darius Garland)、德安德烈·亨特 (De’Andre Hunter)、朗佐·鲍尔 (Lonzo Ball) 和迪恩·韦德 (Dean Wade) 的三分命中率都低于31%。克利夫兰在油漆区和快攻方面的表现也处于联盟中游,这导致了他们相比上赛季在东部顶端的地位有所下滑。
T-17. 多伦多猛龙
加权平均排名: 16.3
2024年排名: 第29
2023年排名: 第27
2022年排名: 第27
最大优势: 场均中距离命中数第六
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第25
分析: 联盟中唯一比布兰登·英格拉姆 (Brandon Ingram)(场均2.8个)命中更多中距离投篮的球员是杰伦·布朗(3.0个)。英格拉姆一人场均命中的中距离数量和勇士全队一样多。多伦多上赛季的三分出手本就不多,而这方面并没有太大改变。控球后卫伊曼纽尔·奎克利 (Immanuel Quickley)(2.5个)是队中唯一一个场均命中超过2.0记三分的球员。猛龙是一支优秀的油漆区球队,并且他们是联盟中快攻得分差最好的球队,在转换进攻中场均净胜对手6.6分。
18. 布鲁克林篮网
加权平均排名: 17.1
2024年排名: 第3
2023年排名: 第11
2022年排名: 第2
最大优势: 场均三分命中数第六
最大短板: 场均中距离命中数第26
分析: 约尔迪·费尔南德斯 (Jordi Fernández) 将会让布鲁克林疯狂出手三分,在他场均出场时间领先的10名球员中,有8人场均至少命中1.0记三分。小前锋小迈克尔·波特 (Michael Porter Jr.) 领衔全队,场均命中生涯新高的3.6记三分,命中率达到39.9%。卡姆·托马斯 (Cam Thomas) 的腿筋受伤让布鲁克林失去了他们最好的持球投篮威胁。尽管篮网的投射排名相对平均,但他们仍然是联盟中最差的球队之一,因为没有球队的快攻得分差(场均负6.4分)或油漆区得分差(场均负11.4分)比他们更糟糕。
T-19. 夏洛特黄蜂
加权平均排名: 17.4
2024年排名: 并列第18
2023年排名: 第26
2022年排名: 第28
最大优势: 罚球命中率第三
最大短板: 场均中距离命中数第29
分析: 黄蜂队中场均罚球最多的四名球员(拉梅洛·鲍尔 (LaMelo Ball)、布兰登·米勒 (Brandon Miller)、迈尔斯·布里奇斯 (Miles Bridges)、科林·塞克斯顿 (Collin Sexton))的罚球命中率都达到或超过84%。黄蜂队无人场均出手2.0次中距离投篮,特别是米勒在油漆区外的两分球上表现糟糕,命中率仅为21.1%。只有两支球队在快攻中被对手打得比黄蜂更惨,这让夏洛特的胜率远低于五成。
T-19. 洛杉矶快船
加权平均排名: 17.4
2024年排名: 第14
2023年排名: 第9
2022年排名: 第9
最大优势: 罚球命中率第二
最大短板: 场均中距离命中数第23
分析: 泰伦·卢 (Tyronn Lue) 最近提到他的球队在三分出手量上一直存在问题。快船通常是一支三分命中率精准但接球就投次数少得可怜的球队。本赛季,快船除了詹姆斯·哈登 (James Harden) 的个人单打(或者科怀·伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard) 的中距离),无法创造出投篮机会,他们想念布拉德利·比尔 (Bradley Beal) 的程度超过了任何球队应该想念他的程度。伦纳德(97.4%)和哈登(88.5%)是出色的罚球手,但快船在回合占有率之争和快攻方面是联盟中最差的球队之一。
本赛季,劳里·马尔卡宁为爵士队贡献了89.3%的罚球命中率。(Chris Nicoll / Imagn Images)
T-19. 犹他爵士
加权平均排名: 17.4
2024年排名: 第25
2023年排名: 第24
2022年排名: 第7
最大优势: 罚球命中率第七
最大短板: 三分命中率第24
分析: 犹他是本赛季初罚球命中率达到至少80%的九支球队之一。进步最快球员候选人基扬特·乔治 (Keyonte George) 的罚球命中率高达90.6%,而劳里·马尔卡宁 (Lauri Markkanen) 也以89.3%紧随其后。乔治和马尔卡宁都出手大量三分,但命中率仅为平均水平的35.2%。爵士队中出场超过一半比赛的球员里,没有人的三分命中率达到40%。
T-22. 芝加哥公牛
加权平均排名: 18.0
2024年排名: 第8
2023年排名: 第10
2022年排名: 第8
最大优势: 场均三分命中数第13
最大短板: 场均中距离命中数第30
分析: 芝加哥出手相当数量的三分球,这是他们9名场均出场20分钟以上的球员中有8人场均命中超过1.0记三分的结果。唯一的例外是控球后卫特雷·琼斯 (Tre Jones)。但这支球队显然不再拥有德玛尔·德罗赞 (DeMar DeRozan) 或扎克·拉文 (Zach LaVine),因为他们的中距离命中数是联盟最少的。科比·怀特 (Coby White) 本赛季起步较晚,他的三分准度(26.9%)还未跟上他的出手量(7.4次)。
T-22. 孟菲斯灰熊
加权平均排名: 18.0
2024年排名: 第17
2023年排名: 第25
2022年排名: 第23
最大优势: 罚球命中率第八
最大短板: 三分命中率第23
分析: 孟菲斯是罚球命中率80%的球队之一,贾·莫兰特 (Ja Morant) 赛季初的罚球命中率高达92.4%。另一方面,莫兰特场均出手4.8次三分,命中率仅为19.4%。历史上,从未有过单赛季出战至少10场比赛的球员,在场均出手至少4.0次三分的情况下,命中率低于20%。
24. 底特律活塞
加权平均排名: 19.9
2024年排名: 第13
2023年排名: 第23
2022年排名: 第22
最大优势: 中距离命中率第六
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第28
分析: 活塞队在投射方面最好的资产是MVP候选人凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham),他场均命中1.5个中距离投篮,命中率达到49.3%。只有萨克拉门托和休斯顿的场均三分出手比他们少,因为底特律有两位高出场时间的轮换侧翼(奥萨尔·汤普森 (Ausar Thompson) 和罗纳德·霍兰二世 (Ronald Holland II))不是射手,同时还要与中锋杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren) 共享场上时间。活塞队通过在油漆区场均净胜对手13.1分来弥补他们投射的不足,这一数据仅次于雷霆。
25. 萨克拉门托国王
加权平均排名: 20.3
2024年排名: 第7
2023年排名: 第20
2022年排名: 第11
最大优势: 场均中距离命中数第一
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第30
分析: 每次我做这个排名都会提到他:德罗赞场均命中2.7个中距离投篮。他终于有所放缓,排名在布朗和英格拉姆之后,位列第三。虽然现在联盟每支球队场均都能命中10记三分,但萨克拉门托(10.8)是唯一一支场均命中数不足11个的球队。
26. 波特兰开拓者
加权平均排名: 20.4
2024年排名: 第22
2023年排名: 第14
2022年排名: 第13
最大优势: 场均三分命中数第九
最大短板: 中距离命中率第30
分析: 开拓者队在投射三分方面毫不羞怯。只有骑士、勇士和凯尔特人的三分出手比波特兰更多。但这也意味着波特兰投失了大量的三分球,并且他们中距离出手最多的前六名球员没有一人的命中率达到40%。得分后卫谢登·夏普 (Shaedon Sharpe) 的三分命中率只有30.6%,中距离命中率也只有34.9%。
T-27. 达拉斯独行侠
加权平均排名: 22.0
2024年排名: 第9
2023年排名: 第16
2022年排名: 第15
最大优势: 场均中距离命中数第八
最大短板: 三分命中率第27
分析: 独行侠是一支拥有多个稳定中距离威胁点的球队。老将安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis) 作为大个子能命中,状元秀库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 作为前锋也能命中,落选秀控卫瑞安·内姆哈德 (Ryan Nembhard) 的武器库里也有这一招。但这是一支三分投射极其糟糕的球队,弗拉格(25%)和戴维斯(31.8%)基本算不上射手,而丹吉洛·拉塞尔 (D’Angelo Russell) 的三分命中率则跌至生涯新低的28.7%。
T-27. 印第安纳步行者
加权平均排名: 22.0
2024年排名: 第11
2023年排名: 第8
2022年排名: 第19
最大优势: 场均中距离命中数第九
最大短板: 三分命中率第30
分析: 自从两个赛季前加盟步行者以来,帕斯卡尔·西亚卡姆 (Pascal Siakam) 一直是球队的基石,他和T.J.·麦康奈尔 (T.J. McConnell) 帮助印第安纳在中距离保持了不错的存在感。但这差不多是你能对这支步行者队说的唯一积极评价了,他们只是那个春天东部冠军球队的空壳。这是联盟中三分投射最不准的球队,因为步行者队失去了阿龙·内史密斯 (Aaron Nesmith)(37.3%)和本尼迪克特·马图林 (Bennedict Mathurin)(41.1%)超过10场比赛,而球队总三分出手数领先的分别是命中率31.4%的贾雷斯·沃克 (Jarace Walker) 和命中率32.8%的杰伊·霍夫 (Jay Huff)。早日康复,泰瑞斯·哈利伯顿 (Tyrese Haliburton)。
29. 奥兰多魔术
加权平均排名: 23.3
2024年排名: 第28
2023年排名: 第30
2022年排名: 第25
最大优势: 罚球命中率第10
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第27
分析: 奥兰多在这些排名中会非常靠后,但它将是一支季后赛球队,因为这不总是一个投进或投失决定成败的联盟。魔术队是一支优秀的罚球球队,这一点很重要,因为他们冲击罚球线的能力比联盟几乎任何球队都强。但正如范甘迪告诉我的:“你得到了温德尔·卡特 (Wendell Carter Jr.)。他三分命中率41%,但他一场只投两个。这对我来说不是威胁。如果我是对方教练,我不会担心这个。我更担心那个命中率33%但出手八次的家伙。”对奥兰多有利的是,他们在快攻和回合占有率之争中能稳稳地击败你。
30. 新奥尔良鹈鹕
加权平均排名: 26.0
2024年排名: 第21
2023年排名: 第22
2022年排名: 第12
最大优势: 罚球命中率第20
最大短板: 场均三分命中数第29
分析: 鹈鹕队拥有联盟中最低的优秀投射上限。他们是唯一一支在所有评判标准类别中都未能排进前15的球队。鹈鹕队有两位相对球权占有率高的大个子——蔡恩·威廉森 (Zion Williamson) 和德里克·奎恩 (Derik Queen),他们不投三分,并且缺少像乔丹·普尔 (Jordan Poole) 这样的神射手。没有普尔,特雷·墨菲三世 (Trey Murphy III) 是队中唯一一位出场超过一半比赛且场均命中超过2.0记三分的球员。
由生成式 AI 翻译,译文内容可能不准确或不完整,以原文为准。
点击查看原文:Knicks? Warriors? Nuggets? Which NBA team is the best at shooting?
Knicks? Warriors? Nuggets? Which NBA team is the best at shooting?

This month, I asked Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick about how he evaluates shooting across the NBA. Redick has a laser board. The players who make the laser board are the good 3-point shooters who his team needs to be aware of.
“And then, there’s the tasers,” Redick said. “You’re shocked when it goes in.”
Asked JJ Redick about shooting.
He mentioned that he has a “laser” board. A scary board.
He also mentioned that there are also “tasers” (“You’re shocked when it goes in.”)
Has JJ been tased before?
“I can’t remember” pic.twitter.com/4bq1avN0Jg
— Law Murray
(@ LawMurrayTheNU) December 11, 2025
Later that night, Marcus Smart, a 25 percent 3-point shooter entering the evening, made eight 3s in a losing effort. No other Laker has made that many 3s in a game all season. It’s like the San Antonio Spurs got tased beyond recognition.
But that’s the NBA right now. It’s a volume shooting league, not necessarily because more jump shots are being taken, but because midrange shots have decreased while 3s have increased. Teams are making the same percentage from 3 now in the fall of 2025 (36 percent) as they were in the 2013-14 season, but attempts have increased by more than 70 percent over the last dozen seasons, from 21.5 per game to 36.9 per game. The value of the midrange shot pales in comparison to shots in the paint (particularly in the restricted area) and from 3:
To that point, 70 players in the league have played at least 10 games, attempted at least 1.0 3s per game and shot under 30 percent. There were about 40 of those players 12 seasons ago. But only 10 players played at least 10 games in 2013-14 and made at least 2.0 3s per game while shooting better than 40 percent. There are 30 of those players now this season.
More lasers. And more tasers.
“Back in the day, when I’m coaching against LeBron in Cleveland and he’s playing with J.R. Smith, well, his percentage was not high,” Amazon Prime Video analyst and former NBA head coach and executive Stan Van Gundy told The Athletic. “But he could get it going. He would shoot it all the time. The guys who can make six or seven in a game are the guys that I’m worried about. A guy makes one or two, I mean, that’s how Al Horford always was to me. Now he started shooting a few more of ’em.
“I mean, volume is as important, if not more important, than percentage.”
This is the fourth year I’m analyzing team-wide shooting at The Athletic, and it’s a favorite activity of mine. Although I enjoy the end result, I appreciate discussing the process of what it means to shoot in the NBA. Moreover, while the make-or-miss league aspect of things is a major talking point, I learn a lot about the other aspects that go into putting together teams that have enough shooting and winning games because of and despite shooting.
Asked Spurs coach Mitch Johnson about shooting in the league
Mitch: “There’s been years where if you look at some of the teams with the best shooting in the league, you wouldn’t line them up at LA Fitness and say they got the 9 best shooters, that’s why they have the best %” pic.twitter.com/o0ausfx0wO
— Law Murray
(@ LawMurrayTheNU) December 11, 2025
This year, I’ve changed the formula to account for how much more valuable 3s are than midrange shots (without completely dismissing the midrange). These rankings are made with the following categories under consideration, with the NBA Cup championship serving as the statistical cutoff point now that rosters will be volatile due to the upcoming trade season:
- free-throw percentage
- midrange field goals made per game (non-paint 2s)
- midrange field goal percentage
- 3s made per game
- 3-point percentage
We will analyze each team’s shooting prowess and also how shooting may or may not correlate to overall success in the win column:
https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/e5oEh?dark=true
https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/e5oEh?dark=false
1. Denver Nuggets
Weighted average rank: 5.7
2024 rank: T-18th
2023 rank: 19th2022 rank: fifth
Greatest strength: first in midrange percentage Greatest weakness: 14th in 3s per game
Analysis: For years under Michael Malone, the Nuggets were great offensively with Nikola Jokić but never a top-three unit. And the Nuggets attempted the fewest 3s in the league in the two seasons after the 2023 championship. Denver still ranks only 22nd in 3-point attempts, but this is a lethal shooting team now. The Nuggets are the only team in the league that ranks in the top-five in free-throw percentage, midrange percentage and 3-point percentage. Jokić is a major part of it, as he makes 59.5 percent of his non-paint 2s, but Jamal Murray is also hitting 52.9 percent of his midrange shots, which is a shot championship guards need, while taking twice as many of those attempts as Jokić. Denver has a great record, and the Nuggets’ powerful offense would be even more overwhelming if they didn’t lose the possession battle because they don’t force turnovers.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Weighted average rank: 7.1
2024 rank: fourth
2023 rank: first2022 rank: 16th
Greatest strength: first in free-throw percentage Greatest weakness: 11th in midrange field goals made
Analysis: Through the NBA Cup Championship, teams are shooting 78.8 percent from the free-throw line. That would set a record that has already been reset four times since the start of the 2019-20 season, and of course, the almighty Thunder are leading the way in that category by making 83.4 percent of their free throws, bolstered by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s mark of 88.4 percent. Gilgeous-Alexander is also the only consistent midrange threat on the team, but he is making 51.2 percent of his 5.0 attempts per game on non-paint 2s. Oklahoma City has a historic defense, but its best player makes it a powerful offense as well.
3. New York Knicks
Weighted average rank: 7.9
2024 rank: first
2023 rank: 13th2022 rank: 30th
Greatest strength: fourth in 3s made Greatest weakness: 14th in midrange field goals made
Analysis: The Knicks have a tremendous level of shooting. Each of their top-eight players in minutes played per game makes more than 1.0 3s per game, and Jordan Clarkson (28.6 percent from 3) is the only one of the eight who is under the league average of 36 percent. New York is a high-floor shooting team, so even though the Knicks don’t have a ton of midrange threats, they have point guard Jalen Brunson making 2.0 midrange field goals a game while making 51.6 percent of those attempts. The Knicks are a top-five shooting team, and their record reflects that.
4. Boston Celtics
Weighted average rank: 8.7
2024 rank: 10th
2023 rank: seventh2022 rank: first
Greatest strength: second in 3s made Greatest weakness: 21st in free-throw percentage
Analysis: It’s a matter of philosophy in Boston. The Celtics regularly win the possession battle since they don’t turn the ball over, and that helps them launch 3s at an astronomical rate. Boston has five players averaging at least 2.0 made 3s per game, led by point guard Derrick White’s 3.1. The Celtics are a bottom-10 free-throw shooting team, though Jaylen Brown makes a respectable 76.9 percent given how often he gets to the line. Boston is around league average when it comes to the paint differential, but it has still exceeded expectations because it can overwhelm teams with 3-point volume.
5. Phoenix Suns
Weighted average rank: 10.1
2024 rank: second
2023 rank: 15th2022 rank: fourth
Greatest strength: seventh in 3s made Greatest weakness: 15th in free-throw percentage
Analysis: Kevin Durant isn’t here anymore, but the Suns always tend to rank highly. They are a team built around Devin Booker and a plethora of shooters, particularly with Jalen Green playing only five quarters this season due to injury. And while Booker is having a rough 3-point shooting season (1.7 makes per game, career-low 30.2 percent), he has four teammates making more 3s per game than him in Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, Collin Gillespie and Dillon Brooks. The Suns have exceeded expectations, but they’re still closer to average instead of a great team due to the fact that they are outscored by 4.1 points per game in the paint.
6. Milwaukee Bucks
Weighted average rank: 10.3
2024 rank: sixth
2023 rank: third2022 rank: 10th
Greatest strength: first in 3-point percentage Greatest weakness: 30th in free-throw percentage
Analysis: The Bucks are always favored in these shooting rankings, as they build a team of shooters around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee makes a league-leading 40.4 percent from 3, led by shooting guard AJ Green making 48.5 percent of his 6.8 attempts per game. On the flip side, Antetokounmpo’s 63.5 percent free-throw shooting contributes heavily to Milwaukee’s league-worst free-throw percentage (71.7 percent). The Bucks have been done in this season by a bottom-five possession-battle differential. They have the worst margin of offensive rebounds in the league.
7. Golden State Warriors
Weighted average rank: 11.3
2024 rank: 23rd
2023 rank: fifth2022 rank: third
Greatest strength: first in 3s made Greatest weakness: 29th in midrange percentage
Analysis: The Warriors are going to benefit from these rankings weighting 3s appropriately more. They’re the only team in the league that makes more than 16 3s per game, and Stephen Curry is averaging a five-year high 5.2 made 3s. Curry also makes 45.9 percent of his 2.1 midrange attempts per game, but Jimmy Butler III (32.5 percent), Brandin Podziemski (32.4 percent) and Jonathan Kuminga (26.3 percent) are far less proficient on their non-paint 2s. As good as Golden State is at shooting 3s, it is bottom five in fast-break scoring differential, while ranking 29th in paint-scoring differential.
8. Atlanta Hawks
Weighted average rank: 11.4
2024 rank: 24th
2023 rank: second2022 rank: 18th
Greatest strength: third in midrange percentage Greatest weakness: 22nd in midrange field goals made
Analysis: Jalen Johnson has improved his midrange game, making 45.9 percent of his such attempts, while new additions Kristaps Porziņģis (55.9 percent) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (42.9 percent) have been threats as well. Atlanta never attempts as many midrange field goals as it should under coach Quin Snyder, and that’s been the case again, even with Trae Young missing so much time.
9. San Antonio Spurs
Weighted average rank: 12.3
2024 rank: 16th
2023 rank: 21st2022 rank: 21st
Greatest strength: 10th in midrange percentage Greatest weakness: 15th in 3s made
Analysis: Victor Wembanyama is a scary basketball player. He has cut his 3-point attempt volume from 8.8 per game last season to 4.5 per game this season. The midrange attempts are up slightly from 3.1 last season (40.1 percent) to 4.4 this season (42.1 percent). Small forward Devin Vassell is also making 47.3 percent of his 3.0 midrange attempts per game. San Antonio doesn’t have a lot of bench shooters, but the shooters it does have continue to be very good and versatile. The Spurs have really been scary on fast breaks, where they beat teams by 3.5 points per game, second-best in the league.
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
Weighted average rank: 13.1
2024 rank: 12th
2023 rank: 12th2022 rank: 20th
Greatest strength: fourth in 3-point percentage Greatest weakness: 24th in free-throw percentage
Analysis: In his sixth NBA season, Anthony Edwards is up to 41.6 percent from 3 on 8.1 attempts per game. That’s the same number of 3-point attempts per game that Stephen Curry averaged in his sixth NBA season, and Curry made 44.3 percent of those shots on his way to his first MVP award. This season, Edwards has a splash brother in Jaden McDaniels, who is up to 41.8 percent from 3 on his 3.6 attempts per game. Center Rudy Gobert weighs down the overall shooting due to his 52 percent mark from the free-throw line.
Khris Middleton is still a problem in the midrange in Washington. (Trevor Ruszkowski / Imagn Images)
11. Washington Wizards
Weighted average rank: 13.6
2024 rank: 27th
2023 rank: 28th2022 rank: 17th
Greatest strength: fifth in midrange field goals made Greatest weakness: 29th in free-throw percentage
Analysis: Washington is really bad, and only Milwaukee is worse from the free-throw line. Center Alexandre Sarr makes only 63.9 percent of his free throws, which is not what you want in common with Giannis. But Washington has a solid shooting corps due to the veteran presence of former Bucks champion Khris Middleton and CJ McCollum, two practitioners of high-level midrange artistry. Middleton is still money in the midrange, making 56 percent of his 3.1 attempts per game, while McCollum makes 42.2 percent of his 2.7 average attempts from the midrange. Washington is also a top-10 3-point percentage team. The issue for Washington is that it can get bludgeoned in the paint, and no team is worse at the possession battle.
12. Houston Rockets
Weighted average rank: 13.9
2024 rank: 26th
2023 rank: 17th2022 rank: 26th
Greatest strength: third in 3-point percentage Greatest weakness: 24th in 3s made
Analysis: Houston has ranked poorly in these rankings every year, and now, the Rockets are the only team that doesn’t attempt 30 3s per game. But it’s more important to be an accurate 3-point shooting team than a voluminous one. Of the 10 teams that attempt the most 3s, only four of them have winning records, but the Rockets are one of eight teams that rank in the top 10 in 3-point percentage and have a winning record. Having Durant (40.4 percent) helps, but so does getting more attempts for Reed Sheppard (43.7 percent) and Aaron Holiday (45.3 percent), while riding the unsustainable heaters of Tari Eason (50.9 percent) and Josh Okogie (41 percent). Houston is good not just because of above-average shooting; it ranks in the top 10 in fast-break point differential, the top five in the possession battle and the top three in paint differential.
13. Philadelphia 76ers
Weighted average rank: 15.0
2024 rank: 30th
2023 rank: fourth2022 rank: sixth
Greatest strength: sixth in free-throw percentage Greatest weakness: 25th in midrange percentage
Analysis: This is still a bad midrange shooting team, but it’s not because of stars Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid or Paul George, all of whom make better than 40 percent of their non-paint 2s. Philadelphia would obviously be better if Embiid and George could play more. But young guards VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes and Jared McCain have combined to make only 9 of 53 midrange field goals. On the flip side, all of those players are solid free-throw shooters, and Philadelphia is back to being an average 3-point shooting team after being completely devoid of shooting last season.
14. Los Angeles Lakers
Weighted average rank: 15.3
2024 rank: T-18th
2023 rank: 29th2022 rank: 29th
Greatest strength: second in midrange percentage Greatest weakness: 23rd in 3s made
Analysis: When it comes to tough shot making, the Lakers have a mastery of it. All five starters (Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton) have made at least 42.9 percent from the midrange, with non-cooks Hachimura (54.3 percent) and Ayton (66.7 percent) making a ridiculous percentage of their attempts. But the Lakers are the only team in the league that doesn’t generate 20 catch-and-shoot 3-point attempts per game. This Lakers team has been better than most of the previous five because they outscore teams in the paint, dominate the free-throw line and are allergic to losing close games.
15. Miami Heat
Weighted average rank: 15.7
2024 rank: 15th
2023 rank: sixth2022 rank: 24th
Greatest strength: 10th in 3-point percentage Greatest weakness: 20th in 3s made
Analysis: The Heat have done a solid job putting rosters together with accurate 3-point shooters. Norman Powell, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell all arrived in Miami in 2025 to provide the Heat with proficient shooting, and their volume will be better with Tyler Herro returning from injury and Bam Adebayo shooting more 3s than ever. Interestingly enough, Miami’s ranking here just about matches its win percentage overall.
T-16. Cleveland Cavaliers
Weighted average rank: 16.3
2024 rank: fifth
2023 rank: 18th2022 rank: 14th
Greatest strength: fifth in 3s made Greatest weakness: 28th in 3-point percentage
Analysis: Like last season, the Cavaliers get up a ton of 3s. Out of the nine players who get more than 20 minutes per game, the only player who doesn’t make more than 1.0 3s per game is center Jarrett Allen. The problem for this year’s Cleveland team is how inaccurate the 3-point shooting is around Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley. Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, Lonzo Ball and Dean Wade are all under 31 percent from 3. Cleveland is also right in the middle of the pack when it comes to the paint and fast breaks, contributing to its decline from where it was at the top of the Eastern Conference last season.
T-17. Toronto Raptors
Weighted average rank: 16.3
2024 rank: 29th
2023 rank: 27th2022 rank: 27th
Greatest strength: sixth in midrange field goals made Greatest weakness: 25th in 3s made
Analysis: The only player in the league who makes more midrange field goals than Brandon Ingram (2.8 per game) is Jaylen Brown (3.0). Ingram makes as many midrange shots per game as the Warriors do as a team. Toronto already didn’t attempt many 3s last season, and not much has changed on that front. Point guard Immanuel Quickley (2.5) is the only player on the team who makes more than 2.0 3s per game. The Raptors are a good paint team, and they are by far the best team in the league in fast-break point differential, outscoring opponents by 6.6 points per game in transition.
18. Brooklyn Nets
Weighted average rank: 17.1
2024 rank: third
2023 rank: 11th2022 rank: second
Greatest strength: sixth in 3s made Greatest weakness: 26th in midrange field goals made
Analysis: Jordi Fernández is going to have Brooklyn firing 3s, and of his 10 leading players in minutes per game, eight of them make at least 1.0 3s per game. Small forward Michael Porter Jr. leads the way, making a career-high 3.6 3s per game while converting at a 39.9 percent clip. The hamstring injury to Cam Thomas robs Brooklyn of its best pull-up threat. The Nets are one of the worst teams despite their relatively average shooting ranking because no team has a worse differential of fast-break points (minus-6.4 per game) or paint points (minus-11.4 points per game).
T-19. Charlotte Hornets
Weighted average rank: 17.4
2024 rank: T-18th
2023 rank: 26th2022 rank: 28th
Greatest strength: third in free-throw percentage Greatest weakness: 29th in midrange field goals made
Analysis: The four Hornets who average the most free throws (LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Miles Bridges, Collin Sexton) all make 84 percent or better from the line. None of the Hornets attempt 2.0 midrange field goals per game, and Miller in particular is woeful on non-paint 2s, making only 21.1 percent of those attempts. Only two teams get smoked on the fast break worse than the Hornets, keeping Charlotte well under .500.
T-19. LA Clippers
Weighted average rank: 17.4
2024 rank: 14th
2023 rank: ninth2022 rank: ninth
Greatest strength: second in free-throw percentage Greatest weakness: 23rd in midrange field goals made
Analysis: Tyronn Lue recently mentioned how his team has always had an issue with the volume of 3s. The Clippers are usually an accurate 3-point shooting team that generates a painfully low number of shots off the catch. This season, the Clippers can’t generate shots outside of James Harden’s cooking (unless it’s Kawhi Leonard in the midrange), and they miss Bradley Beal more than any team should miss Bradley Beal. Leonard (97.4 percent) and Harden (88.5 percent) are exceptional free-throw shooters, but the Clippers are one of the worst teams in the league in the possession battle and on fast breaks.
Lauri Markkanen is shooting 89.3 percent from the free-throw line for the Jazz this season. (Chris Nicoll / Imagn Images)
T-19. Utah Jazz
Weighted average rank: 17.4
2024 rank: 25th
2023 rank: 24th2022 rank: seventh
Greatest strength: seventh in free-throw percentage Greatest weakness: 24th in 3-point percentage
Analysis: Utah is one of nine teams making at least 80 percent from the free-throw line to begin the season. Most Improved Player candidate Keyonte George is shooting 90.6 percent on free throws, while Lauri Markkanen isn’t far below at 89.3 percent. Both George and Markkanen attempt many 3s as well but are at an average 35.2 percent. No Jazz player who has appeared in more than half of Utah’s games makes 40 percent from 3.
T-22. Chicago Bulls
Weighted average rank: 18.0
2024 rank: eighth
2023 rank: 10th2022 rank: eighth
Greatest strength: 13th in 3s made Greatest weakness: 30th in midrange field goals made
Analysis: Chicago takes a decent amount of 3s, a byproduct of eight of its nine 20-minute players making more than 1.0 3s per game. The lone exception is point guard Tre Jones. But this team certainly doesn’t have DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine anymore, as it has made the fewest midrange field goals in the league. Coby White had a late start to this season, and his 3-point accuracy (26.9 percent) hasn’t quite caught up to the volume (7.4 attempts) he is producing.
T-22. Memphis Grizzlies
Weighted average rank: 18.0
2024 rank: 17th
2023 rank: 25th2022 rank: 23rd
Greatest strength: eighth in free-throw percentage Greatest weakness: 23rd in 3-point percentage
Analysis: Memphis is one of the 80 percent free-throw shooting teams, with Ja Morant shooting 92.4 percent to begin the season. On the flip side, Morant is shooting only 19.4 percent from 3 on 4.8 attempts per game. No player who has played at least 10 games in a season has ever made worse than 20 percent from 3 on at least 4.0 attempts per game.
24. Detroit Pistons
Weighted average rank: 19.9
2024 rank: 13th
2023 rank: 23rd2022 rank: 22nd
Greatest strength: sixth in midrange percentage Greatest weakness: 28th in 3s made
Analysis: The best thing the Pistons have from a shooting standpoint is MVP candidate Cade Cunningham, who makes 1.5 midrange field goals a game and shoots 49.3 percent of his attempts. Only Sacramento and Houston attempt fewer 3s per game, as Detroit has two high-minute rotation wings (Ausar Thompson and Ronald Holland II) who aren’t shooters while sharing the floor with center Jalen Duren. The Pistons make up for their lack of shooting by outscoring teams by 13.1 points per game in the paint, trailing only the Thunder.
25. Sacramento Kings
Weighted average rank: 20.3
2024 rank: seventh
2023 rank: 20th2022 rank: 11th
Greatest strength: first in midrange field goals made Greatest weakness: 30th in 3s made
Analysis: I mention him every time I do these rankings: DeRozan makes 2.7 midrange field goals per game. He’s finally somewhat slowing down, as he ranks third behind Brown and Ingram. While every team in the league makes 10 3s per game now, Sacramento (10.8) is the only team that doesn’t average 11 makes per game.
26. Portland Trail Blazers
Weighted average rank: 20.4
2024 rank: 22nd
2023 rank: 14th2022 rank: 13th
Greatest strength: ninth in 3s made Greatest weakness: 30th in midrange percentage
Analysis: The Trail Blazers are not bashful about shooting 3s. Only the Cavaliers, Warriors and Celtics attempt more 3s than Portland. But that also means Portland misses a ton of 3-pointers as well, and none of its top six shot takers from the midrange make at least 40 percent of their attempts. Shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe makes only 30.6 percent from 3 and only 34.9 percent from the midrange.
T-27. Dallas Mavericks
Weighted average rank: 22.0
2024 rank: ninth
2023 rank: 16th2022 rank: 15th
Greatest strength: eighth in midrange field goals made Greatest weakness: 27th in 3-point percentage
Analysis: The Mavericks are a team with multiple consistent midrange threats. Veteran Anthony Davis makes them as a big, top pick Cooper Flagg makes them as a forward and undrafted rookie point guard Ryan Nembhard has it in his bag as well. But this is a dreadful 3-point shooting team, with Flagg (25 percent) and Davis (31.8 percent) being essentially non-shooters while D’Angelo Russell wallows at a career-low 28.7 percent from 3.
T-27. Indiana Pacers
Weighted average rank: 22.0
2024 rank: 11th
2023 rank: eighth2022 rank: 19th
Greatest strength: ninth in midrange field goals made Greatest weakness: 30th in 3-point percentage
Analysis: Pascal Siakam has been a rock ever since he joined the Pacers two seasons ago, and he and T.J. McConnell help Indiana maintain a decent presence in the midrange. And that’s about the only thing you can say positively about a Pacers team that is a shell of the Eastern Conference champion it was in the spring. This is the least accurate 3-point shooting team in the league, as the Pacers have missed Aaron Nesmith (37.3 percent) and Bennedict Mathurin (41.1 percent) for more than 10 games each, while being led in total 3-point attempts by 31.4 percent shooter Jarace Walker and 32.8 percent shooter Jay Huff. Get well soon, Tyrese Haliburton.
29. Orlando Magic
Weighted average rank: 23.3
2024 rank: 28th
2023 rank: 30th2022 rank: 25th
Greatest strength: 10th in free-throw percentage Greatest weakness: 27th in 3s made
Analysis: Orlando is going to rank extremely low in these rankings, and it’s going to be a playoff team because it’s not always a make-or-miss league. The Magic being a good free-throw shooting team is important because they batter their way to the stripe better than almost any team in the league. But as Van Gundy told me: “You get Wendell Carter Jr. And he’s shooting 41 percent from 3, but he shoots two a game. That’s not a threat to me. I’m not worried about that if I’m the opposing coach. I’m more worried about the guy who shoots 33 percent but shoots eight of them.” The good thing for Orlando is that it beats you on fast breaks and in the possession battle soundly.
30. New Orleans Pelicans
Weighted average rank: 26.0
2024 rank: 21st
2023 rank: 22nd2022 rank: 12th
Greatest strength: 20th in free-throw percentage Greatest weakness: 29th in 3s made
Analysis: The Pelicans have the lowest ceiling of good shooting in the league. They’re the only team that didn’t rank in the top 15 in any of the criteria categories. The Pelicans play two relatively ball-dominant bigs in Zion Williamson and Derik Queen who don’t shoot 3s and are missing a gunner in Jordan Poole. Without Poole, Trey Murphy III is the only player on the team who makes more than 2.0 3s per game and has played in more than half of the games.
By Law Murray, via The Athletic