I posted a couple of quotes from Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge in the comments section of a recent post, the All-Star reserves announcement, quotes where Doc and Danny displayed their disappointment with Ray Allen not getting the All-Star spot they felt Ray deserved.
Here’s Danny’s words:
“Now that he’s having the best season of his career – the most efficient season of his career – this happens?” the Celtics [team stats] executive director of basketball operations asked.
“Ray is the most efficient scorer in the league. He’s one of the best wing players in the conference and arguably our best offensive player.
“I think it’s an interesting thing because the coaches vote on this, and they’re always preaching that you should sacrifice so your team can win. And then they go and pick other players.
Anyway, I felt these quotes deserved a follow up post so here it is.
50 — 40 — 90
I’m sure everybody has seen those numbers before, they’re the holy grail, the holy grail for jump shooting excellence.
Only six players in NBA History have met these extreme demands, while also maintaining a solid level of productivity (10ppg, 50 three pointers), Ray Allen is currently on track to become the seventh member of this illustrious club.
|
Player |
Season |
FG% |
3FG% |
eFG% |
FT% |
TS% |
|
Dirk Nowitzki |
2006-07 |
50.2% |
41.6% |
52.9% |
90.4% |
60.5% |
|
Jose Calderon |
2007-08 |
51.9% |
42.9% |
57.5% |
90.8% |
60.7% |
|
Larry Bird |
1986-87 |
52.5% |
40.0% |
55.5% |
91.0% |
61.2% |
|
|
1987-88 |
52.7% |
41.4% |
55.6% |
91.6% |
60.8% |
|
Mark Price |
1988-89 |
52.6% |
44.1% |
57.2% |
90.1% |
62.3% |
|
Reggie Miller |
1993-94 |
50.3% |
42.1% |
56.2% |
90.8% |
63.6% |
|
Ray Allen |
2008-09 |
50.3% |
41.5% |
59.7% |
93.6% |
64.1% |
|
Steve Nash |
2005-06 |
51.2% |
43.9% |
58.3% |
92.1% |
63.2% |
|
|
2006-07 |
50.4% |
47.0% |
61.3% |
90.6% |
65.4% |
Impressive list of shooters
Side Note One: Jose Calderon is currently on track to become the third repeat member of this group.
Side Note Two: I don’t expect Ray Allen to survive the season with these numbers, what I want to show is simply how excellent Ray Allen’s first half of the season has been.
I have sorted this list of great jump shooters by their overall by their overall scoring efficiency (TS%), in descending order. Even amongst this most brilliant set of shooters, Ray Allen’s star shines bright ranking second best out of the seven with a true shooting percentage of 64.1%.
Side Note Three: Five of the seven participants are within three points per game of one another (16.9-19.9). The other two stand out, for just how prolific they were as scorers with Dirk dropping 24.6ppg and Larry Legend adding 28.1ppg and 29.9ppg.
There is a second measure of offensive efficiency in which Ray Allen stands out, his low turnover marks. Ray Allen has the lowest turnovers per minute marks out of the seven players, and the third lowest turnover rate mark (flawed stat – but somewhat compensates for players who where higher usage players) behind Dirk Nowitzki and Larry Bird.
———————————–
Firstly, let’s replay the quote:
“Ray is the most efficient scorer in the league. He’s one of the best wing players in the conference and arguably our best offensive player.
This brings about a delightful question, is Ray Allen the most efficient scorer in the league?
Let’s create a second table for comparison – Ray Allen is scoring 18ppg on a true shooting percentage of 64.1%. Now let’s be clear about something, that’s insanely good and nobody in the league is matching that today, in fact only eleven players in the History of this league can match or better those numbers. So let’s downgrade the marks to 15ppg and 60% and see how many competitors line up alongside Ray.
|
Player |
PPG |
TS% |
Turnovers Per 36 |
|
Amare Stoudemire |
21.3 |
61.3% |
2.9 |
|
Chris Paul |
21.1 |
60.4% |
2.9 |
|
Yao Ming |
19.5 |
61.8% |
3.1 |
|
Shaquille O’Neal |
18.1 |
61.8% |
2.5 |
|
Ray Allen |
18.0 |
64.1% |
1.7 |
|
Pau Gasol |
17.3 |
60.6% |
2.0 |
|
Jameer Nelson |
17.0 |
61.4% |
2.3 |
|
David Lee |
15.7 |
60.7% |
2.3 |
So, are we all comfortable saying Ray Allen has been the most efficient scorer in the league this season?
Ray Allen is way ahead in true shooting percentage, with none of the six others getting above 61.8%, while Ray streaks ahead at over 64%. Allen also turns the ball the least.
Huh, do you know what, I’m sorry, in all the commotion and adoration of Ray Allen’s shooting prowess I’ve gotten lost. I didn’t even mention the rest of the package, and in particular Ray’s defense which has been magnificent, truly magnificent, this season.
Let’s total it up:
- The most efficient high end scorer in the league
- Helped to lead his team, the defending Champs, to the best record in the league
- Most consistent member of the Big Three
- Excellent defense, and for my money, Boston’s best perimeter defender on the Celtics through the first half of the season
- A good rebounding two guard who has helped Boston to the best rebounding differential in the league.
- Very intelligent play, good movement off the ball, good versatility with his scoring, good ball handling, and good passing. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see Ray spend as much time creating with the basketball as we once did while he was in Seattle and Milwaukee, but he still provides a major threat when given the opportunity.
And this man wasn’t selected as All-Star?
That is a crying shame
Dave
February 5, 2009
The NBA has announced that Ray Allen will replaced the injured Jameer Nelson for the All Star Game.
Congratulations Ray!