Carmelo Anthony and DeMar DeRozan believe NBA players are doing themselves a disservice by only shooting three-pointers.
The NBA’s modern era is defined by one shot – the three-pointer. Since the emergence of Stephen Curry as a superstar, more and more players have leaned on their perimeter scoring.
Mike D’Antoni credited Curry and the Warriors for changing the game, making the NBA adapt to a fast-paced style of basketball.
But Curry’s influence has led to a generation of players becoming overly reliant on outside shooting. Furthermore, unlike Curry, the younger players are far more inefficient with their three-point scoring.
Gone are the days when players would drive to the basket and use their physicality to score. Now, all they need is a little separation to let shots fly.
Former NBA star Carmelo Anthony and DeMar DeRozan believe that young players are leaving points on the table by doing so.
Carmelo Anthony and DeMar DeRozan spoke on 7 PM in Brooklyn about the mid-range shot. Discussing the success Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has had with the shot, the coaches encouraged players to consider it.
Melo added that the ability to get the best shot possible is crucial for any player. And that mindset is what is missing from a lot of players today.
Carmelo Anthony: “Any championship team, they win the game in the mid-range. I don’t care how many threes you shot; when it comes down to it, you have to get a bucket.
“Your three ain’t always gonna be there. You ain’t always gonna 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. It ain’t about numbers or shooting a tray, it’s about taking the best shot…”
DeRozan pointed out how young players are pressured to play like Stephen Curry, even though he is a once in a generation star, whose talent can’t be replicated.
DeMar DeRozan: “It’s tough. I remember when young guys were coming up the field discouraged because they had to go out there and be Stephen Curry all the time.
“Everybody just isn’t going to be Stephen Curry. There’s one Stephen Curry. What he is able to do is incredible. I think we will never see anybody else like that.
“I try to be a statesman for the midrange. To show that if you’re great at this, you can still be successful. It’s a blessing to this day. I’m top-25 all-time in scoring.
“I stuck to being myself. I didn’t let anybody change that; I just worked and tried to be great at what I did. It got me this far. Don’t be discouraged because you see everybody doing all this other stuff.”
It’s good to see DeRozan and Anthony, two very successful players, reminding the younger generation of the importance of a well-rounded arsenal.
Perhaps Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP and championship success will inspire a generation of players to be versatile offensively.
