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Basketball is coming back. Time to re-prime the pumps. 

I have like most been enjoying the MJ/Bulls Documentary, aNd one thing in particular should jump out- how MJ scored a lot of his baskets in the midrange. He is the greatest midrange scorer ever. 

Which lead me to think about Giannis. He’s the guy that could be the next guy on MJ’s level. His competitiveness is up there with the All Time greats. And like MJ, early in his career his length and athleticism was his primary weapon. Over time, his primary weapons became the post up fade and the pull-up, and that’s where he scored the majority of his points. 

So while the new religion of basketball has preached how the midrange 2 is the least efficient shot in the game, those that watched MJ score 30,000 points and rip the hearts out of countless opponents know that for certain players- especially the star who’s expected to win you games in the clutch- the midrange 2 is the PRIMARY weapon. You’re not going to get to the rim at the end of the game most of the time, and a 3 isn’t a high % shot at the end of a game (unless you’re Curry or Lillard, I guess). 

So where’s the “middle” ground? I think watching Khris Middleton this year, you’re seeing it. back your guy down, get your body into the defender, fade away, use your length- can’t defend it. The return of his midrange game this year has been critical to his resurgence as a primary scorer. A year ago, he really struggled with his comfort zone in Budenholzer’s “paint or 3” offense. Now we’re seeing him shoot that midrange shot, and he’s having a career year.

I am sure Giannis was watching. I think he understands the lessons MJ’s game and Middleton’s resurgence can teach. Getting “your shot” is the best way to score when an entire defense it trying to prevent you from getting to the basket. We watched Kawhi Leonard win a Title this way last year- and his primary weapon? The midrange jumper.

The greats score when the opponent is trying to do everything to stop you. The 3 is a nice thing to have- keep sharpening that tool. But as he enters his prime, what will make him truly unstoppable is an array of reliable midrange shots that with his length and athleticism no one would have any defense for. Dirk, Kobe, MJ... even Khris Middleton are examples of how you can score whenever you need a basket- even when the defense is a 5 man wall around the lane. 

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It’s also about matchups 

The reason Durant is so dangerous is he can shoot over practically any defender in the league.  You try to put a big on him and he go right past you.  

Middleton doesn’t have the size or athleticism as Durant but has also embraced the mindset that getting and making your shots can make you very effective.  And if the defense collapses on you he’s a very good passer.

MJ and LeBron had to learn this and Giannis will too. We have already seen a leap forward this season and if he continues to work on it I see no reason why he can’t evolve and become one of the all time greats offensively. 

I agree. So many folks were talking about how he needs a 3 point shot- but I never have thought that was the ticket to his greatness. He has to be able to get 2 points reliably when they need him to. That is what made the greats what they were- they were going to get the ball, and they were going to score, and there wasn’t a damn thing you were going to be able to do to stop it. As Toronto overtook the Bucks last year, that was the difference. The huge scoring droughts cost them double digit 4th quarter leads in each of the last 2 games. They couldn’t get a basket. That’s gotta change, and the only way it does is if Giannis can do what a Kawhi did- bury midrange jumpers in the clutch.

The dude’s 25... at the same stage MJ was in the 88-89 season, getting beaten by the Bad Boy Pistons. Giannis numbers in 30 mpg were about the same as MJ’s in 40 mpg. 

 

You can’t compare the numbers of MJ and Giannis because of how the league clamped down on rules for teams that played tough D like the 80s Pistons and 90s Pacers and Heat and Knicks.   Those teams could hand check and bigs were enforcers that could and would knock you down and not draw fouls.  

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