It is a common theme in the NBA for head coaches to encourage Anthony Davis to shoot more 3-pointers. Throughout his career, various coaches have advocated for Davis to develop a consistent long-range shot. Darvin Ham is the latest to join this chorus, going as far as requesting that Davis attempt six 3-pointers per game.
Despite the coach’s plea, it is unlikely that Davis will fulfill this request. However, Ham believes in Davis’ potential and wouldn’t ask him to attempt more 3-pointers if he didn’t think he was capable of doing so.
When Davis is able to shoot and make 3-pointers, he becomes one of the NBA’s most dominant players. This was evident during the 2020 playoffs when Davis showcased his shooting abilities and played a significant role in the Los Angeles Lakers winning the championship. During that time, he shot 38.3% from beyond the arc and 49.6% on mid-range shots.
However, the overall evidence suggests that Davis is not a proficient 3-point shooter. Throughout his career, he has only shot 30% from deep, with his percentage dropping to 23.8% over the past three seasons. His average attempts from beyond the arc have never exceeded 3.5 per game, and he has never shot above 34% for an entire season. This struggle extends beyond 3-pointers, as he has also only made 37.5% of his mid-range shots in the past three seasons.
Furthermore, Davis’ preference for playing power forward adds another layer to this issue. In the modern NBA, non-centers are expected to be proficient shooters, and the Lakers have faced offensive challenges when Davis has played alongside traditional big men. Last season, the decision to primarily play Davis at center proved beneficial for the team, and there are concerns that moving him back to power forward may hinder the team’s performance.
The Lakers’ offensive ratings with Davis at center and power forward have shown that the team performs better when he plays at center. The offensive rating was 113.1 in the 2019-20 season when Davis played power forward, compared to 112.1 when he played center. In the following season, the ratings were 114.1 at power forward and 118.7 at center. However, in the current season, the offensive rating has dropped to 101.4 when Davis plays power forward, compared to 108.7 at center.
Despite these numbers, coaches remain fixated on the idea of Davis becoming a potent shooter from all areas of the court, often overlooking his actual performance in the NBA.
Ultimately, it is clear that Anthony Davis is not known for his shooting abilities. Years of data suggest that he is unlikely to become a consistent shooter in the future. While he can make occasional open 3-pointers, coaches should consider this historical evidence when encouraging him to take more shots from beyond the arc.
