How much of a problem was Kevin Garnett's shot selection?

[Im Still Ballin]

I was looking at Duncan and KG's shooting percentages from different distances. Surprisingly, they were extremely similar from 0-3 ft and 3-10 ft.



Duncan:

0-3ft: 68.9% FG [31% of FGA]
3-10ft: 44.7% FG [34% of FGA]




KG:

0-3ft: 68.5% FG [22.5% of FGA]
3-10ft: 44.2% FG [20.3% of FGA]


From 10ft out, KG is comfortably a better scorer, so it's not worth discussing. However, did KG shortchange himself by relying too much on his outside game? I think this is the general consensus from what I've heard, seen, and read.

65% vs. 42.8% = 22.2% difference between Duncan and KG in % of FGA from 0-10ft.

[FultzNationRISE]

Well. Let's just say he had bigger problems.


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[tontoz]

Yeah KG was a soft jump shooter. He didn't want to take the contact inside. I remember seeing his pts in the paint and it would typically be 4-6, pretty lame for a high scoring big.

[ArbitraryWater]

have to consider that he didnt have the sturdy core/body to stay planted near the rim though, so he had to take more J's.

[Round Mound]

have to consider that he didnt have the sturdy core/body to stay planted near the rim though, so he had to take more J's.

This

[plowking]

Honestly a big reason why I never take Garnett being a top 30 player ever seriously.

He is a great swiss army knife, but he isn't dominating over a game due to having something he does extremely well.

[Kblaze8855]

From 10ft out, KG is comfortably a better scorer, so it's not worth discussing.

If the margin on midrange shots is as comfortable as you suggest it probably would be a factor. I remember someone posting a list of most midrange shots made in recorded history and one of KGs seasons was up there near the top.

He obviously could operate in and around the paint:


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But he wasn’t the type to force it from anywhere.

His shot selection would probably be considered too conservative distance wise these days.