Donte Greene's Shot Selection

by Tom Ziller on Aug 24, 2009 6:02 AM PDT in Commentary

By request after the glance at the shot selection of Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes, here's a quick chart showing the breakdown of Donte Greene's 2008-09 FGAs.

Keep in mind that Greene played few minutes, and in total took relatively few shots (only 236 on the season). But there's no denying he spent most of the 2008-09 season looking for his three-ball. Not a bad strategy if he could hit them ... but he shot 26% from there during the season and 27.6% during his D-League stint. He hit 1-of-8 during summer league. He did shoot 34.5% from three in college; if he can replicate that here, his offense just might work.

Otherwise, much is made of getting Greene in the paint, where he can use his length and hops to cause havok. We'll see how the intensive lifting program helps that come October.

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Yikes!

Take it to the hole! Words to live by.

Ball movement ... is like jogging for most people: They do it occasionally, and it makes them happy. Then they go back to not doing it. - Henry Abbott

by Kfan in Korea on Aug 24, 2009 6:09 AM PDT reply actions

Which also . . .

explains his low rebound and assist numbers. It’s hard to get either of those if you are spending most of your time around the arc. Do you think the difference in 3% since college is a result of better D on him or just lack of confidence? Either way I don’t want him out there, but your expect his numbers would have improved in the D-League if it was just a confidence issue (since he was scoring pretty well there.)

Also, did he change his shot selection that you saw in the Summer League? The game I watched in person, he didn’t take many shots, but as I recall he played a lot lower.

"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke

by SavageBeast on Aug 24, 2009 7:51 AM PDT reply actions

Summer League

He took a much smaller portion of threes, and didn’t shoot much. He played quite a bit power forward, and his rebound numbers showed it.

by Tom Ziller on Aug 24, 2009 7:58 AM PDT up reply actions

One major difference since college:

The pro 3-pt arc is farther out.

by unfair weather on Aug 24, 2009 9:26 AM PDT reply actions

^ d'oh

Supposed to be reply to Savage beast.

by unfair weather on Aug 24, 2009 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions

I figured :)

True it is a longer shot. But I don’t think most players see that kind of drop in percentage even with the longer distance. Hawes went from 33% in college to 32% career and was actually almost 35% last year.

John Salmons averaged 32% in college and averaged the exact same thing his first year in the NBA. By his second year he was actually up to 34%. He is 36% career.

This may not be a completely accurate sample. They are just the first two guys I pulled up looking for players that shot similar percentages from the 3 in college and who tend to play closer to the basket. But my guess is that these are not all that atypical and both of them shot far fewer than Donte. So why did they stick close to their averages while Donte wilted? Does this go back to comments he’s made in the past about wishing he’d stayed in college longer? Is he jacking up three in a desperate attempt to get his numbers up?

I do like that Westphal appears to be working him low, especially if he is bulking up.

"Shut up and Coach!"
Vfettke

by SavageBeast on Aug 24, 2009 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions

As I suspected, the numbers aren't very friendly to Mr. Greene.

He’ll have a larger sample size next year, but I hope his selection improves.

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

by Aykis16 on Aug 24, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions

Numbers not kind to Greene is an understatement...

Donte finished absolutely dead last in the NBA in Player Efficiency Rating (5.18) among qualified players.

by unfair weather on Aug 24, 2009 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Hopefully...

Westphal will drill it into Mr Green’s head to take it to the rim. The Outside shot is a last resort shot for him, and he should look to pass if he can before taking that shot. He’s 6’10"??? Right ?? We already have a center/forward who thinks he can hit 3’z (Hawes), we don’t need another. If Green is going to contribute, it is going to be in rebounding, defense, and high percentage shots around the rim or short jumpers near the paint.

Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!

by FaStRmAn on Aug 24, 2009 8:41 PM PDT reply actions