NBA Power Rankings: Richard Jefferson and the 10 Most Improved Shooters
Every season in the NBA, certain players stand out. The basketball players that seem to put in the hardest work during the offseason seem to be the ones that come back the most improved.
Improvements can come in many different areas, including higher all-around statistics.
This article, however, will focus on the 10 most-improved shooters in the league this season.
Overall field goal percentage improvements can be attained by shot selection (taking more shots closer to the basket). But the ultimate sign of a good shooter is the ability to hit the long ball.
The players that have made this list have all improved their outside shooting this season compared to last season while having a greater impact with their respective teams.
Feel free to let me know your thoughts. Are the right players listed, or were there some players that I left off that should have made the list?
10. Tony Parker
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Tony Parker has long been thought of as one of the best players on the San Antonio Spurs roster.
Despite breaking up with his former wife Eva Longoria, Parker is having one of his better seasons in the NBA.
Compared to last season, Parker has upped his outside shooting clip from 29 percent to 37 percent, while raising his overall shooting mark from 49 percent to 53 percent.
While he may not be one of the highest scoring guards, Parker’s ability to score efficiently while being the team’s second leading scorer has led to several wins for the Spurs this year.
If San Antonio is going to go far in the playoffs, Parker will need to continue his dynamic play.
9. Jodie Meeks
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In just his second year in the NBA, Jodie Meeks has established himself as a key rotation player in Doug Collins’ rotation for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Meeks has increased his outside shooting percentage from 32 percent his rookie year to 41 percent this season, while making almost 90 percent of his free throws.
Over the course of January and February, Meeks has made close to 45 percent of his three-pointers. It’s definitely impressive how he seems to be improving as he gains additional NBA experience.
For now, it seems like the 76ers have found a second-round draft pick that seems likely to have a solid NBA career.
8. Mike Dunleavy
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After spending the first few years with the Golden State Warriors, Mike Dunleavy came to the Indiana Pacers and had a career year in during the 2007-2008 season.
After that year, Dunleavy’s shooting efficiency decreased over the next two seasons.
This year, however, Dunleavy has regained his shooting touch and is much improved over last year.
He has increased his three-point shooting from 32 percent to 41 percent and his overall field goal percentage from 41 percent to 46 percent.
Although Dunleavy has not scored as much as some of his peak years, his efficient play has been quite beneficial for the Pacers.
7. Michael Beasley
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Michael Beasley has found himself in a greater role with the Minnesota Timberwolves compared to his time previously with the Miami Heat.
Pairing with Kevin Love, Beasley has helped to create a formidable duo for the Timberwolves.
Part of the success he is enjoying individually is due to a renewed touch from three-point territory.
After making only 28 percent of his outside shots last season, Beasley has increased his three-point accuracy to 38 percent. In addition, he is taking almost twice as many three-point attempts.
Minnesota may need to improve further to get back to winning days, but Beasley looks likely to be an integral part of that process.
6. Richard Jefferson
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After spending several high-scoring years with the New Jersey Nets and Milwaukee Bucks, Richard Jefferson came to the San Antonio Spurs last year with the hopes of being a difference maker on the team.
Despite the high hopes, Jefferson struggled last season fitting into the Spurs offense and trying to find his shooting touch.
By contrast, this season has been a different story for Jefferson. Having improved his three-point shooting from 32 percent to 43 percent, Jefferson is having a career year from downtown.
Once again, he is proving himself as an integral part of his team’s success.
5. Kevin Love
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When most people think of Kevin Love, they tend to conjure up images of him battling down in the paint being a force on the boards.
Truly, Love is having a career year in leading the NBA in rebounds and double doubles, while earning his first All-Star selection.
But what less people may realize is that Love is shooting career highs in field goal percentage, three-point percentage and free throws.
From downtown, Love has increased his shooting percentage from 33 percent last year to 44 percent this season—one of the best marks in the league.
The Minnesota Timberwolves may still be yearning for more team wins. However, with Kevin Love, fans have found the first legitimate star player since Kevin Garnett left town.
4. Matt Bonner
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Matt Bonner has always been known as a good shooter throughout his career. During his seven years in the league, Bonner has proved to be a valuable role player in stretching opposing defenses with his outside shooting ability.
This season, however, Bonner has taken his abilities to a new level. Compared to last year, Bonner has raised his three-point shooting percentage from 39 percent to an outstanding 50 percent. That mark currently ranks second best in the NBA.
While Bonner may not be one of the star players for the San Antonio Spurs, he is definitely a major contributing factor in that team’s success this season.
3. Austin Daye
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Austin Daye has been one of the bright spots for the Detroit Pistons this year.
Over the course of the season, Daye has proven himself as one of the best shooters in the league.
After a decent rookie year last season, Daye has proved himself even more valuable by raising his outside shooting clip from 31 percent to 42 percent.
Having earned himself more minutes as the season has progressed, Daye looks to be an important part of Detroit’s future.
2. DeShawn Stevenson
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For 10 seasons, DeShawn Stevenson has traveled around the NBA, rotating between four different clubhouses.
After shooting horrific numbers for the Washington Wizards at the beginning of last season, Stevenson has increased his three-point shooting from 22 percent to 41 percent while taking a career-high number of attempts.
With his improved outside shooting, Stevenson’s overall field goal percentage has also improved from 28 percent last year to 42 percent this year.
He has become a master of hitting the corner three-pointer, helping to spread the floor for the Dallas Mavericks and giving Dirk Nowitzki more space to operate in the half-court sets.
If Dallas is to finally win an NBA title, Stevenson will have to keep his brilliant shooting up.
1. Shawne Williams
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In his fourth year in the NBA, Shawne Williams has had quite a remarkable turnaround from last season.
Outside of the New York market, few people probably know who he is. Yet, while averaging a career-high in minutes played per game, Williams has improved his three-point shooting touch from six percent last season to an incredible 51 percent this year.
Prior to the game against the LA Clippers, Williams has been leading the NBA in three-point shooting.
Whether he can stay at the No. 1 position in that category the rest of the season is not the point.
When one considers what it means to improve as a shooter in the NBA, Shawne Williams would be the definition of that concept in the dictionary.
