Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is perhaps the most widely acknowledged scientific theory ever. Well, what’s the cool part of it when you’re not a scientist? It can apply to basketball.
Over the past decade, the rise of the three-pointer has become the most revolutionary shot in NBA history. Credit for its evolution has mainly been given to Stephen Curry for this ridiculous breakout, and understandably so. He put on the greatest shooting clinic ever in the from the 2012-13 season to the 2014-15 one, and he somehow one-upped it in the 2015-16 season (the greatest shooting season ever).
**The bottom 9 teams in terms of 3PT% entering Thursday night’s action were all in the bottom 12 of NetRtg. Shooting poorly will not get you wins. **
And that’s why having role players who can shoot the ball is ridiculously valuable. They get paiiddd. Players who can also defend and obtain a 3&D label? They get paiiddd even more. This season, it’s as clear as ever: shooting can bring you to the dance. Here are some of the best shooting role players so far this season and how they contribute to their team’s success:
- Kevin Huerter: Huerter is breaking out, and perhaps he should not be on this list because is he really a role player? Regardless, Red Velvet has been an absolute flamethrower, hitting 50.7% of his threes on 7.3 attempts per game. He’s creating for himself at a similar rate as he did in Atlanta, and he has just upped his shooting to another level. With Huerter on the court, the offense reaches a 115 ORtg, which reverts to 108.7 when off. That’s a huge swing. As the Kings vye for a play-in spot, Huerter’s shooting will be very important.
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Sam Hauser: A potential Sam Hauser breakout was probably not on your bingo card, even if you’re a Celtics fan. In just under 15 minutes per game, the second-year pro is getting up four threes a game and converting at a 53.3% clip. In two of his last three games, Hauser has hit five or more threes with 17 or more points. Okay, these next two stats will not sustain itself, but… with Hauser on the court, the Celtics ORtg is 128.2. When Hauser and Jayson Tatum share the court, it’s at 136.4(!). That’s really, really good.
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Josh Green: Green was essentially unplayable last postseason for Jason Kidd and company. Why? He couldn’t shoot. Keep your eye on Green. On a small sample of 17 shots, Green has hit 10 of them. Entering Thursday night’s action, he’s converting at a league-leading 58.8%. With Dallas looking to make its way back to the Western Conference Finals, Green’s offensive development could be big time. When alongside Luka Doncic early in this season, the Mavericks ORtg is at 129.1.
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Dean Wade and Kevin Love: These two belong together, as they’ve both been super underrated catalysts for the Cavaliers’ incredible start to the season. Love is putting himself into Sixth Man of the Year conversations again, shooting 41.8% on 6.1 attempts, and Wade is at 50% on 3.3 attempts. When these two share the court, the Cavs ORtg reaches 124.1. The Cavs are a lot of fun, and these shooters are huge to space the court for Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope: KCP has asserted himself into the argument for best role player in the entire NBA. He’s so darn good. Not only does he bring it defensively, but his ability to space the court is what made the Nuggets trade for him this offseason. He’s seemingly the perfect fit next to somebody of Nikola Jokic’s talent and play style. Caldwell-Pope is stroking it at 54.3% from three on 4.6 attempts per game. When he shares the court with Jokic, the Nuggets ORtg soars up to 123.8.
Shooters shoot.
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Charlie Spungin , NBA Analyst