3. Improve Three-Point Shooting
The three-pointer is the new slam dunk in the NBA. Once upon a time, kids would grow up dreaming they could dunk like Julius Erving, Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. In terms of game-altering plays that could silence a hostile arena and demoralize an opposing team, the dunk was second only to a game-winner at the buzzer. Now, a step-back three or even an open corner three is basketball’s biggest dagger to the heart.
Sir Charles In Charge
Logically, it makes sense. Dunks are only worth two points, and even if you throw out that obvious fact, almost everyone in the NBA can dunk. Not everyone in this league can shoot three-pointers, which is why it’s more impressive when power forwards and even centers step out from behind the three-point line and drain threes.
It spreads the defense, it opens up driving lanes for everyone else and it’s a notable feat just from a novelty perspective since it’s the shot furthest away from the basket. If Markieff Morris can improve his three-point stroke from the 31.8 percent he shot last season, he’ll be the stretch-big Phoenix has missed since Channing Frye left…and the fans will embrace him for it.
The problem with Keef has been that he’s not quite good enough to stretch the floor out to three-point territory, which is what you typically think of when you picture old school, traditional, low-post bigs. But Keef isn’t that kind of player either, and the discrepancy between the two extremes has left fans wondering why he’s not a better rebounder or interior scorer if he can’t spread the floor either.
However, Morris is well aware that this is an area he needs to improve on, and said he spent his summer working on that exact shot from the perimeter. “I shot them terrible last year,” he said. “I’ll shoot them better this year.”
Morris is a gifted scorer from the midrange and his clutch numbers last season were phenomenal, but if he can become a pick-and-pop threat whose range extends to three-point territory as well, the Suns’ offense will take the next step toward being dynamic.
Next: No. 2