The 50/40/90 Back Court - is it Possible?

[Boob-No-More]

A 50/40/90 (.500 FG%, .400 3FG%, .900 FT%) season is a relatively rare occurrence in the NBA. In fact, it's only happened 13 times in NBA history.

Larry Bird was the first to do it, and he did it twice. Steve Nash did it four times. Nobody else has done it more than once.

Steph Curry did it last season, and is on pace to do it again this year. His new teammate, Kevin Durant is the next most recent member of the 50/40/90 club. He accomplished the feat in 2012-13 and has come close a couple times since.

No team has ever had two players reach the illusive 50/40/90 milestone in the same season, In fact, only one time in the history of the league, have their been two 50/40/90 players in the same season (2007-08, Steve Nash and Jose Calderon).

GSW, with Curry and Durant has the potential to be the first team in history with two 50/40/90 players in the same season.

But what about our Blazers? Do we have the potential to have the first 50/40/90 back court in NBA history?

Dame has been flirting with 50/40/90 all season. Entering last night contest, he was at .504/.400/.899 and after going 12/23, 3/8 and 11/12, he's now at .506/.397/.901.

After his recent two game hot streak, C.J. is now at .481/.488/.889.

They are currently a combined .495/.436/.897 - so very close.

While it would be really cool to have them both go for 50/40/90, I think an aggregate 50/40/90 is more realistic (but still a long shot). With Dame's improved ability to finish at the rim, he's a better 2-point shooter than C.J. He's also a better FT shooter and gets to the line over twice as often as C.J. Dame is now averaging 10.1 FTs game. That's an increase of 3.9 FTA/G over his previous career high. C.J., on the other hand, is a better 3-point shooter, both this year and last.

So, can these two combine to become the first 50/40/90 back court in NBA history? We're only 10% into the season, but with Lillard's improved finishing ability and increased FT rate, and C.J.'s more reliable 3-point shooting, I say they have a chance.

BNM

 

[e_blazer]

I thought you meant 50 points for Dame, 40 for CJ and 90 total. That's definitely doable for these guys.

 

[BrianFromWA]

so what you're telling me is that an offense built around driving to the rim and shooting 40% from 3 can be efficient and effective?

(Great Rundown)

Personally, I think that the 3pt%'s will keep them a bit below. They draw so much attention, and right now the offense doesn't seem to be getting them tons of open looks. I think that they need to build in some big margin before getting to the Dog Days of February and tiring out a bit. But I'm stoked to see it.

 

[EGame]

Dame I think can, but he sometimes forces up ill advised 3s which could potentially be the reason he doesn't make said club. CJ takes good shots a fair amount of times, but he does seem to struggle at the free throw line at times and I'm not sure he'll get at .900 or above come the end of the season. It would be cool if this happened, though.

 

[Boob-No-More]

A couple additional points of reference:

Lilliard/McCollum 2016-17: .495/.436/.897
Curry/Thompson 2015-16: .488/.441/.895
Curry/Durant 2016-17: .525/.437/.847

BNM

 

[Boob-No-More]

Dame I think can, but he sometimes forces up ill advised 3s which could potentially be the reason he doesn't make said club. CJ takes good shots a fair amount of times, but he does seem to struggle at the free throw line at times and I'm not sure he'll get at .900 or above come the end of the season. It would be cool if this happened, though.

Which is why I said I think they have a better shot at a combined 50/40/90 than one, or both, of them finishing the season at 50/40/90. Lillard takes a lot more off-the-dribble 3-pointers, which is a lower percentage shot, than C.J.

Lillard's 2FG% and FT% can pull up C.J. in those two areas and C.J.'s better 3-point percentage can offset some of those heat check 3-pointers from Dame.

BNM