Dirk Nowitzki and the 10 Best Outside Shooters from the PF/C Position in the NBA
When you see the label power forward or center, most tend to think of big, lumbering brutes—players with all power and no finesse. However, that is just not the case.
Dirk Nowtizki is the perfect example of the non-traditional front-court player—a mobile big man with the ability to shoot.
As traditional half-court sets are abandoned in favor of more uptempo offenses, the switch to more mobile front-courts are becoming prevalent in the NBA.
Europe, in particular, plays a very different brand of basketball. There are many unique distinctions between the two games, but a major focus is on big men that are able to shoot from mid to long range.
There will be an even greater influx of talent from across the seas as the rest of the world is catching up in the talent department.
With more teams looking to run and stretch the floor to open up driving lanes, the shooting big man will continue to come at a premium.
Dirk Nowitzki
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While Dirk did not pioneer the trend of shooting big men, he may just as well be the poster child for the movement.
On a year to year basis, he is about as consistent as they come. Dirk puts up strong numbers while taking the Mavericks into the playoffs annually. Of his vast offensive arsenal, his ability to hit jumpers from anywhere on the court makes him an absolute nightmare to guard.
Nowtizki has a high-arcing shot that is nearly impossible to block; when he does a fade away jumper, it is impossible to block. With strong footwork and a surprising amount of agility for someone of his size, Dirk has a multitude of moves at his disposal.
Taking less and less three pointers over the years, Dirk still has the ability to knock them down from deep—as evidenced by his 42.2 percent shooting from long range last year. He sits at 42 on the list of all time three point field goals made. Initially, it sounds rather unimpressive, but when you take into consideration his size and position, it looks far more remarkable by comparison.
Dirk is the only member of the 50-40-90 club on this list. That club is a rather exclusive list to be a member of and it only further exemplifies his strong shooting ability.
Rashard Lewis
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Coming straight into the NBA from high school, Rashard has become a great shooter since his rookie year.
Standing at 6'10" with a massive wingspan, Lewis has a quick release on his jumper that is difficult to swat away.
While Rashard fills the power forward position on the Magic, he's a more natural fit at small forward—the position he played while with the Seattle Supersonics. Stan Van Gundy prefers to keep Dwight Howard on the low block by himself and surround him with shooters—and boy does Rashard like to shoot.
Currently seventh on the list of all time three point field goals made, Lewis has been throwing up threes at a frantic rate. Since joining the Magic, Rashard has made 614 threes on 40.1 percent shooting over the course of three years.
To put that into perspective, Lewis has nearly doubled his three point output during a three year span; he's played in the NBA for 12 total seasons.
While he's clearly on the decline, he'll still make you pay dearly if you sag off of him.
Channing Frye
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One season with Steve Nash and Frye has suddenly become a revelation from long range.
Last year, Frye connected on 43.9% shooting from deep—good enough for third highest percentage for players who have connected on over 100 three point field goals. He averaged 2.1 three pointers a game and ranked fourth in the league in three pointers made with 172.
This was an unprecedented accomplishment for a player who only connected on 20 total three pointers over the course of four seasons before joining the Suns.
Frye was even invited to the Three-Point Shootout during the 2010 NBA All-Star weekend—the first center to be invited since 1997.
It's clear he has found the perfect system to play in. If only the Knicks kept him—Mike D'Antoni would have fallen in love with his range.
Troy Murphy
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This Jersey born power forward has finally escaped the clutches of coach Larry O'Brien's incompetency and has returned to the Garden State.
A double-double machine for the majority of his career, Murphy has become a reliable shooter from behind the arc.
Early in his career, Troy was not much of a shooter. Over time he gradually improved his stroke and has finally emerged as one of the top three point shooters in the league.
Playing alongside Danny Granger on the Pacers, the two made one of the best shooting duos in the league.
Now as a member of the New Jersey Nets, Troy will play a vital role as he extends the floor and allows Brook Lopez to work on the low block.
Andrea Bargnani
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Drafted No.1 overall in the 2006 NBA Draft, Bargnani is now the franchise cornerstone for the lowly Toronto Raptors.
Fitting the mold of fellow European, Dirk Nowtizki, Bargnani is a legit seven footer with pinpoint accuracy from the perimeter. The two Europeans are the only players standing at seven feet that can hit threes with consistency.
While he's at his best as a spot-up shooter—like most players are—he's very mobile for his size and he can put the ball on the floor and create his own shot.
One of his favorite moves is getting players to bite on a pump fake as he sidesteps and launches a long range bomb. With textbook mechanics and a high release point on his shot, he can sink jumpers with ease—you won't find many capable of blocking him.
Antawn Jamison
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Antawn is approaching his 14th season in the NBA. Over that span, he has developed from a mediocre shooter to one of the best in the league at his position.
Even though he's an undersized power forward, he's able to match up against opposing front-courts with his versatile skill-set. He can move and shoot like a small forward, but has the size and strength to go up against bigger players.
It wasn't until he got to Washington that he discovered his strong touch from the perimeter. While he was able to hit the occasional three prior to his stint in Washington, it wasn't until he donned the Wizards uniform that it became a staple of his offensive repertoire.
Al Harrington
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When Al first came into the league, his offense came primarily from inside the arc. After his eight season in the league, his trade to the Indiana Pacers saw a drastic change in his game—he added a potent three ball to his arsenal.
Ever since the 2006-07 season, Harrington has made the long ball his calling card.
Averaging roughly 154 threes made per season over the past three years, Harrington has developed into one of the most dangerous threats from behind the arc.
Spending time at both the power forward and center spot while with the Knicks, Harrington created constant matchup problems on the offensive end.
Now that he's set to replace Kenyon Martin as the starting power forward on the Nuggets, Al should get plenty of opportunities to do damage from long range—especially if Carmelo Anthony leaves.
Mehmet Okur
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Mehmet Okur is arguably the only true center on this list.
Standing at 6'11", he may not be the tallest of the group, but he is certainly the biggest. Weighing slightly over 270 lbs., Okur is able to match up against other true centers in the league.
Okur has been a strong complementary player ever since Deron Williams joined the fray. His ability to stretch the floor has opened up lanes for Deron to drive and kick out to; he also cleared the way for Boozer to work in the post.
Mehmet has shot an impressive 37.8 percent from long range over the course of his career. His peak came just two years ago at 44.6 percent .
Jerry Sloan has turned to him often in late game situations to sink big shots and he has delivered on many occasions.
Jeff Green
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Jeff is another player that plays a bit out of position. While he is capable of playing from the power forward spot, the role he is more naturally suited for is occupied by Kevin Durant.
While Jeff is well rounded offensively, his jump shot is one of the stronger aspects of his game. This is due in large part to the forward position he fills. Green excels at both the catch-and-shoot and pull-up jumper off the dribble.
Connecting on a career high 104 threes last year, Jeff has been increasing his output from deep since coming into the league. While his percentage took a dip, he has shown that he can be more efficient having peaked at 38.9 percent two seasons ago.
Hedo Turkoglu
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While Hedo may be one of the most overrated players in the NBA today, he still has a reliable outside shot.
Joining the Phoenix Suns in a trade this past summer, he too will soon learn the joy of playing alongside Steve Nash.
Filling in at the power forward position for recently departed Amar'e Stoudemire, the Suns will take their run-and-gun style offense to a new plateau. Hedo's ability to stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting will really open up the driving lanes for Nash.
A career 38.3 percent shooter from the arc, Hedo has broken the 100 three pointers made mark six out of the last seven years. Nash will help him not only continue that trend, but potentially break his career high of 166 threes made in a single season.
