small sample size both ways.Last year he was fantastic shooting 47% from behind the arc, and this year he has regressed to 28%.
small sample size both ways.
Defenses are keying on him more and last year he was guarded by the opposing teams 4 while James was defended by the 3. Now he is being defend by 3s who are much better and use to guarding out to the 3pt line.
It is a little weird. Last year we had fewer deep threats on the floor, so you'd think they would have keyed on him. This season we are shooting much better from deep, so you'd think that would spread out the attention, but Thickburger is struggling.
Truly, it is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.
You consider guys that shoot under 30% to be deep threats?How do you figure fewer deep threats last year?
This year we have Cooney, Fair and occasionally Ennis.
Last year we had Southerland (84 / 40%), Triche (49 / 29%), MCW (35 / 29%) Fair (30 / 47%) and occasionally Cooney (28 / 26%). I realize all of those guys weren't on the floor at the same time, but I think Southerland, Triche, MCW and Fair were out there at times together.
This and I think he's pressing too much, which is showing up in the turnovers as well. He has to know by now that he has enough support that he doesn't have to be THE guy every night which is why his 4 assists tonight with only 2 TOs might be a good sign for future things to come.
Cheers,
Neil
it is a small sample size, posted after an 0-5 day before conference play even begins. He goes 6 for his next 10 and he's up to 34%, for instance. At this level of sample size, a hot or cold run in either direction can really move the percentages.It's not THAT small. Last year he was 30/64 and this year he's 11/40.
Every three he took last year seemed like he was wide open, and when I say wide open it seemed like there wasn't a player within 6 feet of him. This year he's pushing a little too hard and not getting those open shots as he's being guarded closer.
I don't think CJ has played great overall through 13 games. Too many turnovers and forcing way too much. Has been better lately but he also hasn't shot the ball nearly as good as he's capable of.
Fair was in a funk today. His shot was off and even his free throws were banging off the rim. He didn't look sharp, but he was getting rid of the ball when double-teamed and his rebounding was impressive.He's taken on a much larger role in the offense. Prior to today, he had got his true shooting pretty close to where it was last year, but the big difference is a lot more turnovers. I wouldn't be surprised if he brings them down somewhat, but you probably have to expect an elevated TO rate with the higher usage