MJ better mid range shooter then Prime Kobe and LJ

[juju151111]

Sure there is. From NBA.com, 1997 data:

Jordan, 1997 mid-range: 588-1202 (48.9%).

For comparison:

Kobe, 2006 - 414-976 (42.4%)
Kobe, 2007 - 330-751 (43.9%)

Lebron, 2012 - 188-444 (42.3%)
Lebron, 2013 - 174-403 (43.2%)

Mj was 34 years old people. It's crazy because he took the most shots and his FG% is still way better. Sad really

[Young X]

Copying my post from the other thread:

^ For comparison here's the 2013 numbers:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/plus/shot_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=single&year_id=2013&is_playoffs=N&team_id=&opp_id=&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&shot_pts=&is_make=&shot_type=&shot_distance_min=5&shot_distance_max=24&q1=Y&q2=Y&q3=Y&q4=Y&q5=Y&time_remain_minutes=12&time_remain_seconds=0&time_remain_comp=le&margin_min=&margin_max=&c1stat=fga&c1comp=ge&c1val=100&c2stat=&c2comp=ge&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=ge&c3val=&order_by=fg_pct

Jordan would be 3rd, tied with Nash (49%, who many consider one of the best midrange shooters ever) while taking a MUCH higher volume of shots, and on top of that, those numbers go all the way to 24 feet, if they stopped at 22-23 feet Jordan's numbers would be even higher.

[SamuraiSWISH]

That's not even prime Jordan in comparison, either. We're talking 1997, 34 year old fadeaway Mike. At his prime he got much more separation from defenders. Very impressive.

[juju151111]

Why are you picking out those particular years? Why not show every year?


And where did you get these numbers? How do you define mid-range?
Nba.com Kobe and LJ never had a year like that in midrange. Last year was LJ best year from midrange I think. Yes Mj midrange was Nash like 5-24 ft. You mad tho?

[Young X]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/plus/shot_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=single&year_id=2013&is_playoffs=N&team_id=&opp_id=&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&shot_pts=&is_make=&shot_type=&shot_distance_min=5&shot_distance_max=24&q1=Y&q2=Y&q3=Y&q4=Y&q5=Y&time_remain_minutes=12&time_remain_seconds=0&time_remain_comp=le&margin_min=&margin_max=&c1stat=fga&c1comp=ge&c1val=100&c2stat=&c2comp=ge&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=ge&c3val=&order_by=fg_pct

Nash in '13 shot 49% from midrange on 269 attempts (ranked 3rd in '13)
Jordan in '97 shot 49% from midrange on 1202 attempts
Dirk in '13 shot 47% from midrange on 516 attempts

So Jordan shot the same % as one of the GOAT midrange shooters while taking nearly 1000 more shots from the same distance. And the numbers go through 24 feet, if they went to 22-23 feet his %'s would be even higher.

[NumberSix]

That's not even prime Jordan in comparison, either. We're talking 1997, 34 year old fadeaway Mike. At his prime he got much more separation from defenders. Very impressive.
Older Jordan was actually a better shooter than young Jordan. That's usually the way it works.

[Jacks3]

Kobe has shot 50%+ from 10-15 feet in 3 of the last 4 seasons. Only Dirk has done the same on that type of volume.

His mid-range shooting numbers in 2013 were ridiculous:

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0712/grant_bestshooters_1152.jpg


He's at least as good as Jordan.

LeBrick isn't in the conversation. Why even include him. :facepalm

[Jacks3]

Michael Jordan Mid-Range

1996-97: 48.9% FG
1997-98: 43.2% FG


Glen Rice Mid-Range

1996-97: 50.4% FG



Steve Nash Mid-Range

2004-05: 49.6% FG
2005-06: 45.3% FG
2006-07: 50.6% FG
2007-08: 51.8% FG
2008-09: 48.6% FG
2009-10: 48.2% FG


Kobe Bryant Mid Range

2005-06: 42.4% FG
2006-07: 43.9% FG
2007-08: 38.8% FG
2008-09: 42.0% FG
2009-10: 45.1% FG
2010-11: 41.7% FG

Kevin Durant Mid Range

2009-10: 39.7% FG
2010-11: 41.6% FG
2011-12: 46.4% FG
2012-13: 43.4% FG



Dirks midrange :o

2005-06: 48.2 FG%
2006-07: 49.6 FG%
2007-08: 49.4 FG%
2008-09: 47.6 FG%
2009-10: 46.7 FG%
2010-11: 52.9 FG%
:eek:

[kennethgriffin]

i'd say jordans better till around the foul line

after that till anywhere near midcourt is kobe all day

lebron blows chunks at any contested shot beyond 5 feet


/thread

[Jacks3]

In the 09 playoffs, Kobe shot 50.4% and 48.9% from 15-19 ft. and 20-24 ft., respectively. His mid-range percentages during the 3 straight finals runs and '11 playoffs are amazing in general.

[KyleKong]

Kobe has shot 50%+ from 10-15 feet in 3 of the last 4 seasons. Only Dirk has done the same on that type of volume.

His mid-range shooting numbers in 2013 were ridiculous:

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0712/grant_bestshooters_1152.jpg


He's at least as good as Jordan.

LeBrick isn't in the conversation. Why even include him. :facepalm

O snap.

[fpliii]

One note: Since the line was shortened in from 95-97, shots beyond 22 feet aren't counted in midrange (instead they'd be categorized as 3's). I don't think it'd make a huge difference, but it explains part of the dropoff from 97 to 98.

I do think MJ is in the discussion for GOAT from midrange though, given his volume.

[Jacks3]

Anyway, here's list of every player with minimum 150 total FGA attempts from midrange in the playoffs and second table with every player with minimum 10 FGA attempts per game from midrange. Jordan is in the middle of the pack in both cases. And that's exactly what his 40 FG% suggests - he was good, but not great from midrange. Matured Kobe (post Shaq) looks way better.

rank FGM FGA % player year
1 96 196 49,0 Dirk 2011
2 83 178 46,6 Houston 1999
3 74 160 46,3 Westbrook 2012
4 71 154 46,1 Terry 2006
5 93 203 45,8 Dirk 2006
6 110 243 45,3 Kobe 2009
7 89 197 45,2 Wade 2006
8 92 204 45,1 Kobe 2010
9 105 238 44,1 KG 2008
10 71 162 43,8 Rip 2008
11 66 151 43,7 Reggie 2000
12 79 181 43,6 Kobe 2008
13 79 182 43,4 KG 2004
14 81 187 43,3 KG 2012
15 79 183 43,2 Kobe 2000
16 82 193 42,5 J. Rose 2000
17 64 151 42,4 Dirk 2003
18 94 224 42,0 Rip 2005
19 95 230 41,3 Malone 1998
20 124 305 40,7 Jordan 1997
21 61 150 40,7 Cassell 2001
22 119 299 39,8 Jordan 1998
23 60 152 39,5 Iverson 2003
24 59 150 39,3 Kobe 2001
25 89 227 39,2 Malone 1997
26 60 153 39,2 Rip 2007
27 72 184 39,1 Rip 2003
28 113 298 37,9 Iverson 2001
29 77 204 37,7 Rip 2004
30 58 164 35,4 Sprewell 1999
31 69 196 35,2 Kobe 2004
32 60 171 35,1 Kobe 2002
33 50 163 30,7 Wade 2012

rank FGM FGA % player year
1 5,2 10,0 51,7 Dirk 2010
2 6,7 13,5 49,4 KG 2003
3 4,8 10,0 47,5 Al. Jefferson 2012
4 5,0 10,7 46,9 Rice 1997
5 5,0 10,8 46,5 KG 1999
6 5,4 11,8 45,8 Hill 1999
7 4,8 10,6 45,3 Kobe 2009
8 5,3 11,8 45,1 McGrady 2008
9 4,5 10,0 45,0 McGrady 2002
10 5,2 11,5 44,9 Aldridge 2009
11 4,8 10,8 44,4 D. Rose 2010
12 4,6 10,4 44,2 Melo 2012
13 5,4 12,3 43,9 Malone 2000
14 4,5 10,3 43,5 D. West 2008
15 4,4 10,1 43,4 KG 2004
16 4,4 10,3 43,1 Kobe 2012
17 4,6 10,8 42,6 Dirk 2004
18 5,0 11,8 42,6 Mashburn 2003
19 4,3 10,3 41,5 Brandon 1999
20 4,8 11,5 41,3 Iverson 1999
21 4,8 11,5 41,3 Malone 1998
22 6,5 16,1 40,7 Jordan 1997
23 4,0 10,0 40,0 Penny 1997
24 5,7 14,2 39,8 Jordan 1998
25 6,8 17,0 39,7 McGrady 2001
26 5,0 12,7 39,5 Iverson 2003
27 4,5 11,4 39,2 Malone 1997
28 4,2 10,8 39,1 Rip 2003
29 4,3 11,0 38,6 Wade 2007
30 5,1 13,5 37,9 Iverson 2001
31 3,7 10,7 34,7 Malone 1999
32 3,6 10,4 34,6 Iverson 2002
33 3,7 10,9 34,2 McGrady 2007
34 4,3 12,5 34,0 Malone 2002
35 4,0 12,0 33,3 Malone 2003
36 3,5 11,0 31,8 Aldridge 2010
37 3,4 10,8 31,4 Webber 2001
38 4,3 11,2 28,1 Kobe 2003
39 2,8 11,0 25,0 KG 2000
40 2,8 11,6 24,1 Malone 2001

[juju151111]

Michael Jordan Mid-Range

1996-97: 48.9% FG
1997-98: 43.2% FG


Glen Rice Mid-Range

1996-97: 50.4% FG



Steve Nash Mid-Range

2004-05: 49.6% FG
2005-06: 45.3% FG
2006-07: 50.6% FG
2007-08: 51.8% FG
2008-09: 48.6% FG
2009-10: 48.2% FG


Kobe Bryant Mid Range

2005-06: 42.4% FG
2006-07: 43.9% FG
2007-08: 38.8% FG
2008-09: 42.0% FG
2009-10: 45.1% FG
2010-11: 41.7% FG

Kevin Durant Mid Range

2009-10: 39.7% FG
2010-11: 41.6% FG
2011-12: 46.4% FG
2012-13: 43.4% FG



Dirks midrange :o

2005-06: 48.2 FG%
2006-07: 49.6 FG%
2007-08: 49.4 FG%
2008-09: 47.6 FG%
2009-10: 46.7 FG%
2010-11: 52.9 FG%
:eek:
98 Jordan had a **** up wrist. Nash and Dirk are just sick.

[juju151111]

Anyway, here's list of every player with minimum 150 total FGA attempts from midrange in the playoffs and second table with every player with minimum 10 FGA attempts per game from midrange. Jordan is in the middle of the pack in both cases. And that's exactly what his 40 FG% suggests - he was good, but not great from midrange. Matured Kobe (post Shaq) looks way better.

rank FGM FGA % player year
1 96 196 49,0 Dirk 2011
2 83 178 46,6 Houston 1999
3 74 160 46,3 Westbrook 2012
4 71 154 46,1 Terry 2006
5 93 203 45,8 Dirk 2006
6 110 243 45,3 Kobe 2009
7 89 197 45,2 Wade 2006
8 92 204 45,1 Kobe 2010
9 105 238 44,1 KG 2008
10 71 162 43,8 Rip 2008
11 66 151 43,7 Reggie 2000
12 79 181 43,6 Kobe 2008
13 79 182 43,4 KG 2004
14 81 187 43,3 KG 2012
15 79 183 43,2 Kobe 2000
16 82 193 42,5 J. Rose 2000
17 64 151 42,4 Dirk 2003
18 94 224 42,0 Rip 2005
19 95 230 41,3 Malone 1998
20 124 305 40,7 Jordan 1997
21 61 150 40,7 Cassell 2001
22 119 299 39,8 Jordan 1998
23 60 152 39,5 Iverson 2003
24 59 150 39,3 Kobe 2001
25 89 227 39,2 Malone 1997
26 60 153 39,2 Rip 2007
27 72 184 39,1 Rip 2003
28 113 298 37,9 Iverson 2001
29 77 204 37,7 Rip 2004
30 58 164 35,4 Sprewell 1999
31 69 196 35,2 Kobe 2004
32 60 171 35,1 Kobe 2002
33 50 163 30,7 Wade 2012

rank FGM FGA % player year
1 5,2 10,0 51,7 Dirk 2010
2 6,7 13,5 49,4 KG 2003
3 4,8 10,0 47,5 Al. Jefferson 2012
4 5,0 10,7 46,9 Rice 1997
5 5,0 10,8 46,5 KG 1999
6 5,4 11,8 45,8 Hill 1999
7 4,8 10,6 45,3 Kobe 2009
8 5,3 11,8 45,1 McGrady 2008
9 4,5 10,0 45,0 McGrady 2002
10 5,2 11,5 44,9 Aldridge 2009
11 4,8 10,8 44,4 D. Rose 2010
12 4,6 10,4 44,2 Melo 2012
13 5,4 12,3 43,9 Malone 2000
14 4,5 10,3 43,5 D. West 2008
15 4,4 10,1 43,4 KG 2004
16 4,4 10,3 43,1 Kobe 2012
17 4,6 10,8 42,6 Dirk 2004
18 5,0 11,8 42,6 Mashburn 2003
19 4,3 10,3 41,5 Brandon 1999
20 4,8 11,5 41,3 Iverson 1999
21 4,8 11,5 41,3 Malone 1998
22 6,5 16,1 40,7 Jordan 1997
23 4,0 10,0 40,0 Penny 1997
24 5,7 14,2 39,8 Jordan 1998
25 6,8 17,0 39,7 McGrady 2001
26 5,0 12,7 39,5 Iverson 2003
27 4,5 11,4 39,2 Malone 1997
28 4,2 10,8 39,1 Rip 2003
29 4,3 11,0 38,6 Wade 2007
30 5,1 13,5 37,9 Iverson 2001
31 3,7 10,7 34,7 Malone 1999
32 3,6 10,4 34,6 Iverson 2002
33 3,7 10,9 34,2 McGrady 2007
34 4,3 12,5 34,0 Malone 2002
35 4,0 12,0 33,3 Malone 2003
36 3,5 11,0 31,8 Aldridge 2010
37 3,4 10,8 31,4 Webber 2001
38 4,3 11,2 28,1 Kobe 2003
39 2,8 11,0 25,0 KG 2000
40 2,8 11,6 24,1 Malone 2001
Mj attempted way more then Kobe. Kobe has never had a season over 57% in midrange like MJ did at 34. 5-24 ft.

[andgar923]

Older Jordan was actually a better shooter than young Jordan. That's usually the way it works.

That would be true if we're comparing a very young MJ to one 5-6 seasons in, NOT one at the end of his career.

Yes your shot improves over time, but it starts to deteriorate at a certain age because of well

[NumberSix]

That would be true if we're comparing a very young MJ to one 5-6 seasons in, NOT one at the end of his career.

Yes your shot improves over time, but it starts to deteriorate at a certain age because of well… AGE.

What happens with age is your legs don't have the same lift, your body wears down faster so your consistency takes a dip.

And like Swish mentioned, your separation isn't the same, hang time isn't the same, your overall strength isn't the same. Go back and check out some of the shots he was hitting in the early 90s and he wouldn't be able to make those same shots later in his career with the same consistency.

Not sure why people are surprised, the mid range game has always been part of his game. In fact, up until this new era it was a part of damn near almost EVERY PLAYER'S GAME.

Does MJ have the GOAT mid range game? not so sure, but he has a legit argument. He was certainly hitting it with great consistency with a large amount of volume. I'd like to see where the top scorers in history's stats.

Artest mentioned that MJ's mid range was sick. He said he was as strong as Bron but with Reggie Miller's shot in the mid.
Early 90s Jordan wasn't young Jordan though. That's like calling current LeBron young LeBron. That was middle Jordan. Young Jordan was actually a pretty weak shooter.

[#number6ix#]

Rip Hamilton has the best mid range game ever

[alec613]

The Zen Master himself said Kobe is a better shooter than MJ.
That's all you need to know

[andgar923]

Early 90s Jordan wasn't young Jordan though. That's like calling current LeBron young LeBron. That was middle Jordan. Young Jordan was actually a pretty weak shooter.

Did I say that? :confusedshrug:

[andgar923]

The Zen Master himself said Kobe is a better shooter than MJ.
That's all you need to know

And all you need to know is, Zen Master is called that for a reason.

He doesn't want to alienate Kobe so he has to concede shit from time to time. Whenever he's critical he backpedals a bit, because he's still a part of the Lakers organization and may end up coaching him yet again.

Sadly for you and Kobe stans, we have actual stats that say otherwise.

[alec613]

And all you need to know is, Zen Master is called that for a reason.

He doesn't want to alienate Kobe so he has to concede shit from time to time. Whenever he's critical he backpedals a bit, because he's still a part of the Lakers organization and may end up coaching him yet again.

Sadly for you and Kobe stans, we have actual stats that say otherwise.
That's great.

[andgar923]

That's great.
aint it

[NumberSix]

Did I say that? :confusedshrug:
You did. You guaranteed it and placed bets.

[Djahjaga]

New information I got from this thread:

1. LJ is the official abbreviation we're going by for Lebron
2. ???

[plowking]

Since when is 5 feet out+ considered midrange?

[Djahjaga]

Kobe has shot 50%+ from 10-15 feet in 3 of the last 4 seasons. Only Dirk has done the same on that type of volume.

His mid-range shooting numbers in 2013 were ridiculous:

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2013/0712/grant_bestshooters_1152.jpg


He's at least as good as Jordan.

LeBrick isn't in the conversation. Why even include him. :facepalm

That's only from the left elbow.

[SamuraiSWISH]

Young Jordan was actually a pretty weak shooter.
That isn't true at all, really. He still had a wicked mid range jumper. In fact, better than even Wade at his best with the same shot. He refined his mechanics after he started lifting weights, and added much range to his shot after '89.

Fadeaway Jordan '96 - '98 wasn't a better shooter than '90 - '93 peak Air Jordan. That's a myth.

His jumper at the age of 33, 34, and 35 was what he relied on to age gracefully, and still be successful while making efficient impact without wasted energy. He didn't want to burn his body out on drives to the hole, or get injured combined with the contact at the rim that he used to be able to take.

'90 - '93 MJ had the jumper, but he didn't rely exclusively on it like 2nd three-peat MJ. He could switch his offensive game up. At those ages, you never get better than that because you're at the peak of physicality, endurance, durability, and skill.

27 - 30 / 31 year sold is everyone's peak. It's just how it works in basketball. That's the prime time age. The best you ever will be.

[Electric Slide]

Who honestly thought either Kobe or Lebron was a better mid-range than Jordan?

I think Lebron is a better 3 pt shooter than Jordan was though, not Kobe though. Kobe is an overrated 3 pt shooter.

[plowking]

That isn't true at all, really. He still had a wicked mid range jumper. In fact, better than even Wade at his best with the same shot. He refined his mechanics after he started lifting weights, and added much range to his shot after '89.

Fadeaway Jordan '96 - '98 wasn't a better shooter than '90 - '93 peak Air Jordan. That's a myth.

His jumper at the age of 33, 34, and 35 was what he relied on to age gracefully, and still be successful while making efficient impact without wasted energy. He didn't want to burn his body out on drives to the hole, or get injured combined with the contact at the rim that he used to be able to take.

'90 - '93 MJ had the jumper, but he didn't rely exclusively on it like 2nd three-peat MJ. He could switch his offensive game up. At those ages, you never get better than that because you're at the peak of physicality, endurance, durability, and skill.

27 - 30 / 31 year sold is everyone's peak. It's just how it works in basketball. That's the prime time age. The best you ever will be.

You do realize the number given in the OP's post for Jordan is skewed due to the shortened 3 point line that season? Its an outlier if anything, which reverted back to its norm the next season when the 3 point line was moved back where it use to be.

[SamuraiSWISH]

You do realize the number given in the OP's post for Jordan is skewed due to the shortened 3 point line that season?
Not significantly, mid range is mid range.


Its an outlier if anything, which reverted back to its norm the next season when the 3 point line was moved back where it use to be.
No, that had more to do with that fact that in 1998 MJ had a messed up shooting wrist, he was now 35 years old, and carrying the entire offensive load with Pippen being gone for a little over half of the season

[bizil]

When I think midrange shooting, percentages are easily important no doubt. But also the variety in the midrange shots in terms of distance, footwork, using the glass, etc. MJ was also the best slasher in the L so that made his midrange shot even more devastating. But MJ also could just rise over u and shoot it contested and it didn't matter. So even when u played up on MJ, he had all the tricks to fool u and STILL get off his midrange shot. Kobe, Gervin, Melo, Pierce, King, English, etc. are guys that were devastating in the midrange area and had all the tricks. And of course epic deep ball shooters like Durant, Bird, Dirk, and Ray are great too. Bron had definitely improved at it no question, but I think he's not on the guys I named level yet. Those guys are true technicians in the midrange aspects.

[KOBE143]

LeBron shouldn't be in this discussion in the first place.. Dude doesnt have midrange..

MJ and Kobe are pretty close in this department but I'll still go with Kobe and its not even close..

[Electric Slide]

LeBron shouldn't be in this discussion in the first place.. Dude doesnt have midrange..

MJ and Kobe are pretty close in this department but I'll still go with Kobe and its not even close..
:roll:

[The-Legend-24]

When was the last time MJ and Kobe were offered wide open jumpers for an entire series?

[plowking]

Not significantly, mid range is mid range.


No, that had more to do with that fact that in 1998 MJ had a messed up shooting wrist, he was now 35 years old, and carrying the entire offensive load with Pippen being gone for a little over half of the season

Yeah, I guess it had nothing to do with the two extra feet. :rolleyes:

I'm confident to assume that Jordan's numbers pre the line being shortened are similar to that 98 numbers, rather than closer to the 97 one. In fact, I'd wager Jordan wouldn't have had more than 3 better shooting seasons outside that 98 one. Would be interesting if someone could find the numbers.

[DetroitPistonFan]

Since when did LeBron become a mid range shooter? He has no jumper.

[Dragonyeuw]

I don't know how anyone can put Lebron in the same category as a midrange shooter as MJ/Kobe. Shit, the Spurs defensive tactic in the finals was to LET LEBRON SHOOT, and limit his penetration. Can you imagine any team devising a scheme that consists of 'let MJ/Kobe shoot'? Come on man.....Lebron is an improved shooter but streaky.

[Dragonyeuw]

MJ and Kobe are pretty close in this department but I'll still go with Kobe and its not even close..

You're an idiot.

[Dro]

You're an idiot.
Not an idiot, just a Kobe stan......

[NumberSix]

When was the last time MJ and Kobe were offered wide open jumpers for an entire series?
When's the last time Kobe played the spurs?

[OldSchoolBBall]

Why are you picking out those particular years? Why not show every year?


And where did you get these numbers? How do you define mid-range?

Because they only have data for '97 and ''98, and MJ's shooting suffered in '98 due to a cracked knuckle and torn ligament on the index finger of his shooting hand. I would personally LOVE to see his numbers from '91-'93 - muct have been insane considering that he shot 49% from midrange on huge volume at age 34, when the defense didn't have to respect his drive as much and it was more difficult for him to create space for his shot.

[OldSchoolBBall]

You do realize the number given in the OP's post for Jordan is skewed due to the shortened 3 point line that season? Its an outlier if anything, which reverted back to its norm the next season when the 3 point line was moved back where it use to be.

Err, bullshit. The correlation you're suggesting makes zero sense. Can't WAIT for pre-'97 data to come out to shut clowns like you up.

[rhythmic]

LeBron shouldn't be in this discussion in the first place.. Dude doesnt have midrange..

MJ and Kobe are pretty close in this department but I'll still go with Kobe and its not even close..

http://www.stupidgifs.com/images/full/8.gif

[riseagainst]

LeBron shouldn't be in this discussion in the first place.. Dude doesnt have midrange..

MJ and Kobe are pretty close in this department but I'll still go with Kobe and its not even close..

:roll:
:lol

I havent laughed this hard since the last time I saw one of your posts.

[fpliii]

Yeah, I guess it had nothing to do with the two extra feet. :rolleyes:

I'm confident to assume that Jordan's numbers pre the line being shortened are similar to that 98 numbers, rather than closer to the 97 one. In fact, I'd wager Jordan wouldn't have had more than 3 better shooting seasons outside that 98 one. Would be interesting if someone could find the numbers.

I agree with this, I made the same point a couple of pages ago.

Play-by-play data only exists going back to the 96-97 season, so there's no way of checking. Since all of his playoff games are available, somebody could track his shooting game-by-game, but that's a tremendous project.

I do think he's in the conversation for GOAT midrange j due to his volume and likely consistency, but unless somebody rewatches all of his playoff games and reproduces the data, there's no way to tell.

[SamuraiSWISH]

MJ's a better, more consistent shooter than both Kobe and LeBron. Better scorer, too. We're talking without his garbage old man Wizards years ... he's a 32 ppg scorer, that's 5 - 7 more ppg than Kobe (if you want to remove his first two seasons) ... that's MAJOR difference for elite volume all-time scorers.

MJ has LeBron beat by 5 ppg for his career as well, and then LeBron's ppg is dipping steadily in Miami. So by the time he retires, MJ will have a significant advantage.

Kobe has more consistent range on his long ball than Jordan, but is also hero ball worshipping stupid enough to take as many as he does. When they miss he looks like a better version of Jamal Crawford, when he hits he gets his LA stans fooled into thinking he's GOAT.

LeBron can hit the wide open 3 since 2009 when the defense is absolutely begging him to take it. But he's inferior to both MJ and Kobe as a shooter, and scorer. Clearly.

[Young X]

Prime Kobe: 44%
Prime Lebron: 43%

Old, fat, 40 year old, injured, Wizards MJ: 43%

:oldlol:

[SamuraiSWISH]

Prime Kobe: 44%
Prime Lebron: 43%

Old, fat, 40 year old, injured, Wizards MJ: 43%

:oldlol:
You forgot one knee in there as well, bro.

:oldlol: