Top Mid-Range Shooters NBA
With the rise of the three-point shot in the NBA, the pure mid-range shooter is becoming a thing of the past. Teams like the Boston Celtics now aim to shoot at least 50 threes per game, keeping most players outside the arc or cutting to the basket.
That being said, many players in the NBA have made their careers off their mid-range shots.
Here is a list of our top six mid-range shooters currently playing in the NBA.
1. Khris Middleton
Middleton was drafted in the second round by the Pistons back in 2012. He would play just one season for Detroit before being traded to Milwaukee during the offseason.
Detroit would go on to regret the trade as Middleton would use his mid-range game to become one of the league's best scorers.
Milwaukee spotted Middleton's mid-range ability and created an offense that would let him thrive on it. The changes would work, leading Middleton to become an All-Star and help lead the Bucks to their first championship in over 30 years.
Middleton has improved his shot from three and can be dangerous cutting to the hoop, but that mid-range shot continues to make him one of the best in the NBA.
2. DeMar DeRozan
Few players have built a career around their mid-range game like DeMar DeRozan. Many don't always think of him in those terms, thanks to his ability to drive to the basket and create memorable dunks.
He has never been an impressive three-point shooter, making under 30% of his attempts over his career. His struggles to hit from deep makes his scoring stats even more impressive.
DeRozan's cutting ability makes his mid-range shot all the more difficult to stop. It's not easy to defend a player that can drive past you for an embarrassing dunk or pull up to hit a high-percentage shot.
Though he is now 32 and injuries are becoming more of a problem, expect DeRozan to continue to be one of the league's top players thanks to his mid-range game.
3. Kevin Durant
Durant is the best player on this list, but he sits third when we asses his mid-range game.
Maybe it's not fair to drop him down to three, but the fact is his mid-range is just a part of his incredible game. His ability to shoot the three and drive to the hoop combine with his solid mid-range to allow him to score from anywhere.
Trying to guard Durant outside the arc is near impossible when he can hit the three over you, or drive to the hoop for a massive dunk. I those aren't open, he can simply pull up for a high-percentage shot. That's too much to account for, leading Durant to become one of the greatest scorers in history.
4. Chris Paul
CP3 is rapidly approaching the end of his career, but the All-Star point guard's mid-range game is. It has also been the perfect compliment to the games of Ayton and Booker well. While he is getting close to the end of his career, the point guard's shot is still strong and compliments the games of Ayton and Booker well. They will add Durant after the All-Star break, which should open up even more mid-range opportunities for Paul.
While his shot charts show he prefers to shoot from mid-range, Paul has shot well from three. He doesn't take many but hits almost 40% of them throughout his career.
Paul is the shortest player on this list (and most lists), making his success from mid-range all the more impressive.
5. Nikola Jokic's
The two-time reigning NBA MVP has become one of the league's top mid-range shooters. The massive center uses his size and strength to dominate down low, forcing defenses to focus on that aspect of his game. This opens up the ability for him to get open shots from outside the pain, which is hitting over half of.
Jokic combines his mid-range game with his elite passing and defensive skills to make him a multiple-time MVP. Opponents have struggled to contain the center as blocking him from the basket just provides him with more mid-range opportunities.
With Jokic now in the prime of his career, be prepared to see his mid-range game keep him in the MVP conversation for years to come.
6. Kawhi Leonard
Many have forgotten how good Leonard is since he spent much of the last two years injured. That's changing now, as he appears to be not only healthy but also back in top form. Kawhi has made just over 49% of his attempts during his career but has been over 50% over his last two seasons.
He is a talented three-point shooter, which opens up more opportunities for open mid-range shots. Leonard uses shot fakes from three to drive by defenders and hit a higher-percentage (and un-contended) shot.
Did we miss someone?
Who is on your list? Drop a comment below with any names you think deserve to crack our top six.