In today’s NBA, the mid-range game is becoming a lost art. However, there are still a handful of scorers around the league who thrive in this range. So, who exactly are these players you ask? Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the five best mid-range shooters in today’s NBA while Houston Rockets head coach, Mike D’Antoni, rages about a shot that is not a lay-up or three-point shot attempt. (Note, these players are listed in no particular order.)
Mid-Range Shooter #1: Devin Booker
The Suns may be out of the playoff picture right now, but their biggest bright spot is Devin Booker. Booker is making a solid case for an All-Star bid this season and much of this comes from his success from mid-range. He is adept at creating space to get up a shot from this area and is generally more successful from mid-range than from three-point territory. As of January 5, 2020, Booker is shooting 47.3% from 10-16 feet from the basket. He is also shooting 39.7% from 16 feet to three-point territory.
Mid-Range Shooter #2: Carmelo Anthony
Say what you will about Melo, but his bread-and-butter is still the mid-range jump shot. He has made his living off of this shot and though he is stroking it from three this season (41% so far), he can revert to the mid-range game at any time. So far, Melo is shooting 46.3% from 10-16 feet which is pretty solid compared to his career average of 40.5% from that range. Carmelo Anthony is having a redemption season and, while he has improved his three-point shooting, his signature jump-shot from mid-range still makes a nice appearance once in a while.
Mid-Range Shooter #3: CJ McCollum
One of Melo’s star teammates is also a deadly mid-range shooter. That would be none other than the heavily-underrated CJ McCollum. It is still surprising that McCollum has not made an All-Star Game yet, but that is a topic for another day. For this season, McCollum is shooting 47.6% from 10-16 feet to go along with an outstanding 53.5% from 16 feet to three-point land. While Damian Lillard is the main star of the Portland Trail Blazers, McCollum can also put up 30 points on any given day as well.
Shooter #4: Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray has been having a bit of an inconsistent season for the Denver Nuggets. Some would say the Nuggets overpaid him and they have a good argument. However, he can still catch fire on any given night. See the 39-point outing in a loss against the Washington Wizards, for example. With that being said, Murray gets a good portion of his points from mid-range. Especially on the Nikola Jokic pick-and-rolls, he executes many times. So far this year, Murray is shooting 40.5% from 10-16 feet and 48.6% from 16 feet to three-point territory.
Shooter #5: Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton is the side-kick to the reigning MVP in Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Middleton is not a player to overlook. He is an All-Star after all. He has always been a solid three and D guy, but he’s a clutch shooter as well. Any time a defence leaves Middleton open for a jump-shot, they’re playing with fire.
This season, Middleton is shooting an insane 53.5% from 10-16 feet. Not to mention, he is also shooting a healthy 47.7% from 16 feet to three-point territory. Khris Middleton just might be the best mid-range shooter in the 2019-2020 NBA season.
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