Keyonte George’s Promising Turnaround
The recent performance of Keyonte George has been a focal point for Utah Jazz fans, and for good reason. Over the last ten games, George has shown significant improvement, shooting 43% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc. These numbers are a marked improvement from his rookie season, where he struggled to maintain consistency. Despite a few rough patches, including a slump where he went three for 16 from three-point range, George’s overall trajectory is promising.
His current stats—16 points, three rebounds, and five assists per game—are encouraging, though his four turnovers per game highlight areas for growth. The turnovers could be attributed to positional challenges, but the upward trend in his shooting percentages is a positive sign. Historically, players drafted 16th in the NBA have a 50% chance of becoming rotation players. George’s recent performances suggest he might defy the odds and secure a more prominent role.
The Importance of Shooting More Threes
A deep dive into NBA shot distribution reveals a league-wide need to increase three-point attempts. The data suggests that teams should aim for a higher percentage of their shots to be threes, moving from the traditional 40% at the rim, 40% from three, and 20% mid-range to a more modern 35% at the rim, 50% from three, and 15% mid-range. This shift is driven by the efficiency of three-point shots compared to mid-range attempts. Even shooting 30% from three is more efficient than most mid-range shots.
The league’s shooting percentage from three has remained stable, even as the volume of attempts has increased. This consistency indicates that teams can afford to take more threes without sacrificing efficiency. Additionally, the rise in offensive rebounds—now at 28% of all misses—suggests that the potential downside of missing more threes is mitigated by the increased chance of securing second-chance points.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Keyonte George’s development and the strategic shift towards more three-point shooting, tune into the Locked On Jazz podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Jazz Podcast:
- The impact of NBA rule changes on shooting trends
- Defensive strategies limiting shots at the rim
- The role of offensive rebounding in modern basketball
- Upcoming matchups and player assignments for the Utah Jazz
- Insights into the NBA Cup favorites and betting odds