Has Donte Greene Changed His Game?

by Ziller on Nov 27, 2009 9:41 AM PST in Numbers Comment 30 comments

Given the recent explosion of The Donte Greene Show, I thought it'd behoove us to look at what's really changed in Donte's game. Has it been shot location ... where he takes his shots? All data from Hoopdata.com.

There have really only been minor changes to Donte's shot location chart: he has replaced half of his 16-23 footers (the worst shot in basketball) with shots at the rim, in the paint and in the short mid-range. Greene has only cut his share of shots which come from behind the arc a small amount -- from 43 percent last season to 40 percent this season.

The real change in Donte has been his efficiency: he is hitting his shots. On threes, Greene has an eFG% of 72.5 percent this season. Last year, it was 39 percent. A monumental difference.

There's one more potential answer: when Donte pulls the trigger. Last season, every three Greene hit was assisted. But we all remember ton of threes off the dribble -- none of which, apparently, went in. This season, upwards of 93 percent of Greene's threes have been assisted, which means he has hit a few off the dribble. But -- while there are no public numbers which can confirm or deny it -- I'd venture that Donte has taken far fewer unassisted three-point attempts.

Whatever the case, it's working right now, and we all hope it continues.

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as I mentioned in the post game thread, Donté has risen from a PER of 5.16 last season to today's 19.96

meteoric.

by betweentheeyes on Nov 27, 2009 9:50 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

What does PER mean?

by Ichiban on Nov 27, 2009 9:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Player Efficiency Rating

by mayfieldcol on Nov 27, 2009 10:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If Donte continues his great play he should be considered for most improved player.

I never saw this dramatic shift in production coming. Look forward to seeing how this plays out.

Ba-da

by Ba-Da Bing on Nov 27, 2009 10:06 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

while he should..

the press seems to look at it more and just getting used to the league with second year players. Its a shame because I think Roy Hibburt would be getting a lot more attention as well.

If he keeps it up though it would be nice to see him get in the sophomore game, not as great but more realisitc. It would be great to have 3-4 players who get serious consideration for the game.

by Hilton on Nov 27, 2009 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Word! After a few more performances like that I hope he gets consideration for the r/soph game.

Hopefully, if Donte’s consistent like that from now on we’ll plenty of Kings to root for on All-Star Weekend.

33 Wins. Yeah, I said it.

by JETisKing on Nov 27, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont know the history of the game all that much, but having 3-4 considered for it would be pretty amazing. while the rookie/soph game isnt much of a guage it would be nice to have the team represented.

by Hilton on Nov 27, 2009 11:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His feel are set

The difference in his shot is pretty dramatic. Your post is spot on.

The real difference is in not shooting off of dribbling. When he does that from long range he doesn’t seem to be able to stop with his feet set and shoot. When he gets the assist he is set up, feet set, and ready to shoot.

I think he can get to shooting off of the dribble, but he doesn’t, yet, have the ability to quickly go from dribble to shooting without completely telegraphing it to the defender. When he does that he rushes up an awkwardly-footed and off-balanced brick.

by MustangMBS on Nov 27, 2009 10:38 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking the same thing about being ready to shot it

but let me add one more important thing.

When he gets the assist he is set up, feet set, and ready to shoot

For the most part, he’s also open which seems like such a simple concept but it’s finally clicking with Donte

Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...

by edm7 on Nov 27, 2009 10:43 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Good point!

His choices is often to pass when not open now and that really is showing some maturity and growth.

by MustangMBS on Nov 27, 2009 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

And to add one more thing (I keep forgetting stuff)

Even when he’s open, he has passed the ball and stepped inside the line to get a better shot. You’re spot on with the improved maturity, growth, and I think also, his feeling for the game is getting better.

Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...

by edm7 on Nov 27, 2009 10:47 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

+1. He's already in a solid shooting stance and his release looks like a veteran gunslinger's release.

Donte’s been working hard and it’s showing. Good pros work hard. And again, I’ll give partial credit to this new coaching staff for this turnaround. Go Donte and go Kings!

33 Wins. Yeah, I said it.

by JETisKing on Nov 27, 2009 10:45 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Only minor changes

I know what you mean when you meantion, “only minor changes” to his shot chart. Basically, it’s nothing dramatic like not taking any more threes. But when you consider the number of shots he is taking from less than 10 feet has risen from 30% to 50%, that is actually quite dramatic. The best scorers tend to focus on within ten feet and set threes. What impresses me most—and gives me the most hope—is that the kid is provong he can be taught. Maybe he just didn’t have a teacher before, or maybe he wasn’t teachable enough. But the changes from Vehas to now are far, far more than any growth he has show in the previous two seasons.

"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke

by SavageBeast on Nov 27, 2009 10:38 AM PST reply actions 3 recs

this

is by far the most important thing.

A month from now, half the people on this board will be foaming at the mouth and completely irate because Donté had a 0-4 night shooting the three.

Dé3 is making a lot better decisions, its not perfect, but its tons and tons better, and he’s making the good decisions because he trusts the coaching staff to help him get better. That’s by far the most important thing I’ve seen in the last few weeks. Donté looks like a guy that has decided he wants to be a professional basketball player and might be starting to learn what the word “Professional” means.

Good for him, and nice for us Kings fans also.

Professional Hyperbole Slayer

by ForThree on Nov 27, 2009 10:44 AM PST up reply actions 2 recs

not sure who to recommend more - SB or 4-3 so I will rec both

we look at these athletes and see potential. Crash Wallace is another fine example; while he was a young King he was lost and played within his abilities, not within the game. He just didn’t have the mental light switch “click” on. That is why he is no longer a King.

If any of you watched Coach Westphal’s post game interview after the Knicks game he was asked about Donté and he gave credit to Mario Elie but added, “you have to give most of the credit to Donté”. It is wonderful to see Donté Greene grow from one of the most likeable players off the court to one of the most exciting players on the court. Way to go The Show.

by betweentheeyes on Nov 27, 2009 11:29 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I reread my post...

I am giving the credit to SavageBeast, he’s the one that made the point, I was just piling on. :)

Professional Hyperbole Slayer

by ForThree on Nov 27, 2009 11:54 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I hope that the 3s keep falling

and if they do, I would like him to use that ability to keep the defense honest. Then mix it up a bit. Maybe fake the 3, take your man off the dribble and attack the basket more. He has the athleticism to either finish strong or even make some nice assists to the big guys when the help comes.

Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...

by edm7 on Nov 27, 2009 10:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

What I notice

Is vast improved body balance and footwork. We saw this improvement with K-Mart in year 2 and 3 of his career, where he just became a lot more efficient with his play, and eliminated all the wasted motion from his game. With Donte, I think too, he has spent a lot of time in the weight room, to mold his physique, and has improved on his core body strength and cardio. Core strength in particular is vital to shoot on balance. Last year we saw a lot of drifting and fading on his shots. Even when it left his fingers it looked pretty obvious the shot had little chance. He was spraying shots all over the place and missing badly. Now he is consistently on balance. He is not going to be 6 for 7 every night, but at 6’10" with his solid shot mechanics, if he continues smart judgement, plays with continued confidence, then shooting 40%+ 3FGs seems very possible.

Donte is currently 7th in NBA in 3 point FG shooting @ 48.3%!

by bench_blob on Nov 27, 2009 11:26 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

+10. Key words: 'solid shot mechanics'

Rashard Lewis part 2…or even better, Donte Greene aka ‘The Show’.

33 Wins. Yeah, I said it.

by JETisKing on Nov 27, 2009 12:34 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Very impressed

With Donte. I was very down on Donte to start the season but could Donte be history repeating itself.

Kevin Martin stunk the first year, didn’t make the playoff roster and began to show nice flashes in this sophomore year. I hope the Kings don’t trade Kevin Martin unless the Kings get a major major star back like a Chris Bosh.

Donte at least so far is showing he may have a long career in the NBA. Operative word being may.

BOOK IT!

by kingme18 on Nov 27, 2009 1:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Martin isn't worth a top tier guy like Bosh.

He is worth a 2nd tier guy like a Millsap, Granger, etc. Those types of players. Martin for Granger is my ideal trade for K-Mart, although I love me some K-Mart and would be just fine with him staying. Evans and Martin could be the best backcourt in the NBA.

Father of the "Natt this!" movement and Grandmaster of the "Never let AnotherStupidSN forget what a Sham-Wow is" Order.

by Aykis16 on Nov 27, 2009 3:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

You never know,

Al Jefferson was not an equal player to KG when that deal went down.

"You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA is Chinese, and the three most powerful men in America are named 'Bush', 'Dick', and 'Colon.' Need I say more?"

-Chris Rock

by Big ZK on Nov 28, 2009 9:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Or at any point before or since

No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life. Simple. That's what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, and get all tangled up, you just tango on.....

Oh, hes in the laegue two and Jayson Thomson and that Boggins dude on Milwokee, and Occur for the Jizz. Its a talented laegue.--Kfan in Korea

by pookeyguru on Nov 28, 2009 10:06 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

Haha true.

-Chris Rock

by Big ZK on Dec 1, 2009 1:17 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Thread highjack here- When did Donte stop being a rookie?

If I remember correctly, the KIngs players couldn’t stop carrying their backpacks until the 82 regular season game. Since Donte went to Reno, he missed some games.

How many games didn he miss? When did he register his 82 game?

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom

by HighTops on Nov 27, 2009 3:22 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

going to Reno ages a man

they have 3 rookies they don’t need Greene being green.

by betweentheeyes on Nov 27, 2009 3:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Plus Brad is no longer making the rules

Godfather of the "nice ass" movement.... the future begins now...

by edm7 on Nov 27, 2009 3:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The 20 ft shot is the worst in basketball

The rim the best.
I think the exchange in those areas is dramatic.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Nov 27, 2009 4:31 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Why does PW say Done isn't a three point shooter?

Is he just trying to get Donte to choose better shots? I watched Donte play at Syracuse (and we’ve all seen him w the Kings), and it seems like Donte could be a great 3 point shooter. Obviously, going to the rim is better, but why would PW make a blanket statement like that?

by amonk81 on Nov 27, 2009 5:08 PM PST reply actions 0 recs