I know that Huerter and Monk are pure shooters, but a 36% chance at a three-pointer goes down to something like 20% when you are four feet or further from the line. Malik cannot be standing that far back for a catch-and-shoot. He has to get in position closer to the line when the ball is moving.
The coaching staff has to make that a point of emphasis for all the players. One reason Sabonis has been so successful this season is that he shoots right at the three-point line from nearly the same two spots every time. Consistency is a virtue.
The two main shooters, Fox and DeRozan, averaged 18.1 and 17.5 field goal attempts per game before tonight. Yet they are not looking to pass out when they are in tight spots, missing opportunities for uncontested "spray threes," game after game. That is one of the main reasons this team is not yet clicking. I doubt DeRozan has ever seen Murray or Monk go off the way they can, and he does not trust them yet.
This is going to take a while.
The coaching staff has to make that a point of emphasis for all the players. One reason Sabonis has been so successful this season is that he shoots right at the three-point line from nearly the same two spots every time. Consistency is a virtue.
The two main shooters, Fox and DeRozan, averaged 18.1 and 17.5 field goal attempts per game before tonight. Yet they are not looking to pass out when they are in tight spots, missing opportunities for uncontested "spray threes," game after game. That is one of the main reasons this team is not yet clicking. I doubt DeRozan has ever seen Murray or Monk go off the way they can, and he does not trust them yet.
This is going to take a while.