Rajon Shoots Like a Center

Posted by Zach Lowe on Nov 30, 2009 44877 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F11%2F30%2Frajon-shoots-like-a-center%2FRajon+Shoots+Like+a+Center2009-11-30+16%3A43%3A24Zach+Lowehttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D4487

Must-read link from the holiday weekend: Hoopdata’s graph-infused look at which types of shots players at particular positions are most likely to shoot. The site—which is becoming a must-visit for hoops geeks—breaks shots down into five categories: 1) at the rim; 2) shots between the rim and 10 feet; 3) shots from 10 feet to 15 feet out; 4) long-distance twos; and 5) three-pointers.

The results aren’t shocking, but there are a ton of interesting tidbits there. Good read the post.

The site then examines some outliers—guys whose shot selection is way off from the “normal” shot distribution at their position. And guess what? Rajon Rondo is such an outlier. In fact, his shot distance distribution almost exactly matches that of a typical center. Rondo: The  Shaq of Point Guards.

Here’s Hoopdata’s blurb:

So much for all those jump shots Rajon Rondo took in the offseason. Rondo is still the same point guard looking to attack the rim rather than settle for the open jump shot. If anything, his jumper has gotten worse as his field goal percentage on 16 – 23 foot shots has plummeted from 40 percent last year to 23 percent. He still has plenty of time to work things out things out but one has to wonder if Rondo will ever develop the outside game. He certainly doesn’t need it to be successful. Just ask Tony Parker.

Celtics fans watch Rondo’s jumper with the intensity of teenagers watching snowy porn, so finding out that Rajon’s shot chart is Shaq-like isn’t surprising. I’d take issue with Hoopdata on one thing: Tony Parker was indeed a successful player back when his jump shot was below average, but he jumped to another level when he became a dependable outside shooter. And his doing so allowed him to assume a larger role in the Spurs offense right at the time that Duncan needed someone to take some of that responsibility.

The C’s Big Three could use something similar.