OK, part 2. Three point shooting and FTAs per game.
First year with Gonzaga Bulldogs, Domas didn't make and didn't take single long shot. Maybe launched one, but that's questionable. He would go to the line a lot, but his percentages then were around mid 60's. Naturally, for the defenses it was a lesser evil to foul Domas than not.
Second year in Gonzaga Domas became a starter. Had some crazy games. Like 35 points, 15 rebounds, 5+ assist. Or some kind of different combination. He elevated his FT% to 77+% - result of hard core summer sweating in the gym. Maybe he made one long shot or maybe two. But no more than 2 makes for sure.
Gonzaga lost to Syracuse 60-63. Domas had a very good game despite orange guys triple teaming him non-stop. It was an elite-8 game. Gonzaga had a solid lead in the second half, but at some point shooters just stop hitting anything. Result - no Final 4 for Domas. Sad ending, tbh
First rookie season with the Thunder, Domas was asked by Donovan to start and be a stretch big, alongside Steve Adams. He began taking long shots and actually was the best in Thunder in 3PT% department before Taj Gibson trade. His 3PT% was around 42% (like from game ~10 to the game 50+). Domas was benched. Took less long shots than before and made even less. One season with the Thunder. Small, but good sample. Terror in the paint was asked to do something that was alien to him, but he handled it.
Domas ended up as a throw in PG - Oladipo trade. "Pacers got robbed!!!" - sounds familiar
At first, Domas would come off the bench. Terror in the paint. His foot work, fakes in the paint were elite. Pacers fans pretty quick were eagerly awaiting for Domas to enter the game in place of Myles. Myles was tall, long, but "anti-physical". We know Domas
Myles liked launching threes or taking middies. To go hard to the rim was the last thing Myles body and mind wanted to do.
Myles would miss games, Domas would start. Domas would play 20+ or even 30+ minutes from the bench. His efficiency in the paint was crazy. Passing the rock was developing well too. FT% was good.
Back to numbers.
In 2019 NBA season, in first 50+ games, Domas took 9 long shots, made 7. Funny
Following seasons in Indiana Domas and Myles were starting together. It was a dysfunctional marriage. Domas was shooting much more from the distance, and though percentages gradually increased, they were still mehhh. Middies were even worse. On the other hand, Domas steadily was going to the line more. Funny thing. In 2020 season Domas had his first NBA All-Star game. First game after ASG Domas had 10 FTAs. Pacers had very good, very professional, passionate and objective announcers. Everybody was like "WOW..., now Domas will get a fair whistle. Since he is an All Star". NBA put a lid on that notion very quick. One of the reasons is simple: with Domas' skill set, to call the game fair is a headache. Nonetheless, before the malpractice trade to Kings, Domas FTAs rose to 5.4 per game. Sure, his PF were always very close to 4 per game
Domas a King!!! and his numbers.
First full 23' season. 5.5 FTAs and 37.3% from the threes.
Derailed Kings season of 2024. 5.1 FTAs and 37.9% on threes.
Soap drama season of 2025. MB dug a hole, Kings now climbing out. Numbers so far: 4.2FTAs and NBA best 47.8% on threes.
Sooo, as Domas became a King, his FTAs are going down while long shot settled down. As I posted before - Domas is peaking. Everything in his game that he worked hard became high quality and consistent. I hope and pray it will stay the same for the next ~6+ years at least (fingers crossed)
What's next? Domas will take less than 4 FTAs per game while his PFs will be the same? That's more PFs than FTAs... Only in NBA
Oh, and he will crack 50+% on his 3PTAs, right
P.S. Domas had like ~10 game when he shot 10+ FTs, most were 13 twice. Yesterday Booker was 13-16 from the line. For Domas, to get 16+ FTAs takes one week per season (exaggerating, but fun
). He is no Shaq, Barkley, Howard, AD or alikes. He is the son of his father. When Domas father was healthy (though Arvydas never peaked out - he was on the way but lost Achilles tendon in one leg) - reffs had the same dilemma. How to call a game on Arvydas (or Domas now) when defending them proper is almost mission impossible?