Sporting News: LaMarcus Aldridge emerges from thumb injury with improved shooting form

[Boise Blazer]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/sto...njury-shooting-form-stats?eadid=SOC/FB/SNMain

"I think having my thumb taped back has definitely made my form better because it's not in there no more," Aldridge told Sporting News. "It's knocked out of the picture so I think my form feels better, for sure."

Even athletes at the highest level of basketball can develop bad habits. As Aldridge conceded, there is a tendency among right-handed players to place too much of their off hand on the ball during the shooting release. This problem often arises when players include their thumb in the shot and use it, along with their strong hand, to push the ball forward.

This is important for a player of Aldridge's ilk. More inclined to attempt a midrange shot than take off for a dunk, Aldridge describes his style of play as "boring" and downplays his athleticism.

While Aldridge's game is hardly boring, he does tend to lean on his fadeaway jumper, a counter move he developed while playing for Rick Barnes at Texas. Aldridge described the shot for an interactive story with ESPN.com , explaining the process of backing down a defender before he transfers his weight and fades back, kicking his left foot forward to create space.

Aldridge's go-to move dictates that he takes the majority of his shots from outside 15 feet. Aldridge has hit this shot with more frequency since he suffered the thumb injury that threatened his All-Star season.

In the Trail Blazers' first 39 games, Aldridge hit 146-of-351 attempts from outside 15 feet, good for 41.6 percent shooting. Over the last 16 games, since suffering the thumb injury, Aldridge has converted 58-of-133 shots from the same distance, which comes out to 43.6 percent. Similarly, his effective field-goal percentage rose from 44.2 percent to 46.2.

 

[magnifier661]

Sinobas is going to lose his mind!!!

In the Trail Blazers' first 39 games, Aldridge hit 146-of-351 attempts from outside 15 feet, good for 41.6 percent shooting. Over the last 16 games, since suffering the thumb injury, Aldridge has converted 58-of-133 shots from the same distance, which comes out to 43.6 percent. Similarly, his effective field-goal percentage rose from 44.2 percent to 46.2.

What is going to complain about now?!

 

[Strenuus]

Sinobas is going to lose his mind!!!



What is going to complain about now?!

That it's not 46.3%?

 

[blue9]

That it's not 46.3%?

That even with his improved shooting percentage (tied with Melo's) he still only ranks as the 27th best shooter from 15-19', despite leading the league in those shots? And for the season, has the 6th worst percentage out of all players who take at least 2 shots per game from that range?

 

[magnifier661]

That even with his improved shooting percentage (tied with Melo's) he still only ranks as the 27th best shooter from 15-19', despite leading the league in those shots? And for the season, has the 6th worst percentage out of all players who take at least 2 shots per game from that range?

Not bad for the best scorer, rebounder and player on a team that is third best in the west.

 

[magnifier661]

Bottom line to all the Aldridge haters out there... We are a .500 to sub .500 team without Aldridge in the line-up. The importance to that terrible "mid range" shot you guys blast all day long creates spacing because teams must still honor that shot. But more importantly, they must put much focus on Aldridge throughout the game.

Sure, I would love for Aldridge to spend most his game dominating the low post, but the versatility is needed to keep the offense honest. And when that outside shot is falling, he is the most unstoppable force on the team hands down. If I had my wish, I would like about 60-65% of his shots being from 10 and in.

 

[Strenuus]

Bottom line to all the Aldridge haters out there... We are a .500 to sub .500 team without Aldridge in the line-up. The importance to that terrible "mid range" shot you guys blast all day long creates spacing because teams must still honor that shot. But more importantly, they must put much focus on Aldridge throughout the game.

Sure, I would love for Aldridge to spend most his game dominating the low post, but the versatility is needed to keep the offense honest. And when that outside shot is falling, he is the most unstoppable force on the team hands down. If I had my wish, I would like about 60-65% of his shots being from 10 and in.

/endaldridgehate

 

[KingSpeed]

In Aldridge's first few games back after the injury, he played unbelievably well for a few games. That is why the numbers ticked up.