Carmelo Anthony on what Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's ring means to mid-range truthers
For years now, Anthony and DeRozan have seen the mid-range jumper on the brink of extinction. It's an endangered shot attempt. Most front offices are analytically savvy enough to understand it's a bad shot for most of the league. Instead, volume increases on layups and 3-pointers have taken over the NBA.
But there are always exceptions to the rules. The three players above fit in that category for mid-range jumpers. Gilgeous-Alexander had one of the greatest individual seasons ever because of his mid-range jumper. The MVP, Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP brought home a scoring title because of his heavy within-the-perimeter scoring attack.
Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 32.7 points on 51.9% shooting. It was his third straight superb-efficient 30-plus point campaign. What makes it even more impressive is how he got to those numbers. If you look at his shot chart, it's all drives to the basket and mid-range jumpers. His outside shot has always looked pedestrian, but that's irrelevant for the NBA's best shot-creator.
Anthony sees the value in that. He feels vindicated for vouching for the mid-range jumper his entire life after carving out a Hall of Fame career out of taking those types of shots to be known as one of the greatest scorers of his era. He talked about Gilgeous-Alexander's championship and what it means for mid-range truthers on his "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast.
"Any championship team, they win the game in the mid-range. I don't give a f--- who it is. I don't care how many threes you shoot. When it comes down to it, you have to get a bucket," Anthony said. "Your three ain't always going to be there. You ain't always going to be able to get to the rack. If you have a middy, you're dangerous. Shai is dangerous because he plays for taking the best shot."
Anthony argued that the mid-range jumper is the most reliable shot to take. The outside shot is naturally volatile and defenses can eliminate driving lanes to the basket with either active perimeter defenders that stay in front of you or gigantic rim-protectors who will go up and contest your shot.
"It ain't about numbers or shooting the trey. It's about taking the best shot. If you back off, I'm pulling. If I'm in the paint, I get here and this shot is wide open, I'm taking this shot," Anthony said. "And just so happened, he started to master that mid-range when it comes to using his body, knowing his space, knowing where to get at, knowing angles. He's playing off of angles."
Anthony then discussed the science of the mid-range jumper. He broke down how relevant geometry is to hunting out mid-range shots. It's always fascinating to hear an expert break down what they know best in their field. For Anthony, it's the art of taking a contested jumper.
"The middy is all about angles," Anthony said. "If I get this angle and I get this shoulder on it, there's nothing you can do about it. If you bite back, I'm gonna shot fake and you're done."
While the rest of the NBA has taken a layups-or-3-pointers approach, Gilgeous-Alexander has zagged with the mid-range jumper. Being able to knock down tough shots despite defenders all over him is what's separated him from being a good scorer to one of the best all-time players. Now, it's won him an NBA championship with plenty more room to grow.
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