Denver Nuggets Top-10 Season Recap: Field Goal Efficiency (2015-16)

Apr 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) celebrates with teammates guard JaKarr Sampson (9) and guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) after a play in the second quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Last season, the Denver Nuggets displayed a wide range of field goal percentages, an important factor in evaluating any given player’s “Basketball IQ.”

We know what you’re thinking. Why do these now? Well, it is for all Nuggets fans and readers alike to remind them of how each player did last season and what to expect from them this season.

Field goal efficiency is an interesting statistic. At first, one might think that a high FG% suggests an ability to make more shots. This is not the case.

More accurately, a high FG% suggests an ability to both take and make smart shots. It doesn’t necessarily determine a player’s ability, but does show how many risks they take, relative to their own abilities as a player. A player with a high FG% is often well in tune with their own skill sets.

These aren’t usually the sort of players that are expected to put up big scoring numbers. Instead, players with high FG%’s are expected to play their roles with consistency. These are the sort of players that many organizations like to use as a foundation for their team.

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Building around smart efficient players gives streaky players all the more room and comfort to do what they do.

For the Nuggets, these streaky players are the likes of Danilo Gallinari, Emmanuel Mudiay, and Will Barton, two of which made the Nuggets’ Top 10 FG percentages in the 2015-16 season.

Mar 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Devin Harris (34) defends against Denver Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson (1) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Mavericks defeated the Nuggets 97-88. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

#10 Jameer Nelson (PG) FG Efficiency: 36.8%

Nelson played in 39 games last season.

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At this point in his career, scoring should not be a high priority. Nelson is in a better position to help the Nuggets via passing, and his low FG efficiency from last season suggests that Nelson might have taken more shots than he should have.

This could have been forced as he started a stretch of games following a minor injury to Emmanuel Mudiay. PG’s aren’t expected to put up high FG percentages, but 36.8 % is just not great. Although, Emannuel Mudiay didn’t even make the list, as he shot just a bit worse than Nelson, at 36.4%.

Hopefully both PGs take smarter shots in this upcoming season. Breaking or at least reaching the 40% mark is a realistic expectation for both point guards.

Feb 26, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) looks to drive as Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

#9 Danilo Gallinari (SF) FG Efficiency 41.0%

Gallinari managed to retain his typical FG% despite attempting the largest shot volume of his career. Actually, his average was a bit low, as his career stat is averaged at 41.5%.

But still, setting a career high in both points per-game (19.5) and field goals attempted (13.2) per-game without deviating much from his career FG% is a great sign for Gallinari.

Now, after another off-season of hard work, it is not out of reason for fans to expect the 2016-17 to be a career best from The Rooster.

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) defends against Denver Nuggets center Jusuf Nurkic (23) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

#8 Jusuf Nurkic (C) FG Efficiency: 41.7%

As a center, this is a bit low. Nurkic should most definitely aim to improve his efficiency in the 2016-17 season. He should be much closer to the 50% mark.

Centers are usually the team leaders in FG%, so seeing Nurkic this low on the list is a bit concerning. He is currently set up for a season of redemption, and seems to be riding the motivation of being an underdog.

Nurkic is a solid rim protector, but to take his game to the next level, he must begin to be more efficient. In no world should your rim protector be the 8th most efficient player on the team. Nurkic has to stay healthy and figure it out.

Fans are expecting improvement, and Nurkic seems poised to provide it.

Mar 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Wesley Matthews (23) and center Zaza Pachulia (27) defend against Denver Nuggets forward Will Barton (5) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Mavericks defeated the Nuggets 97-88. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

#7 Will Barton (SG/SF) FG Efficiency: 43.2%

Like Danilo Gallinari, Will Barton saw a career high in points (14.4) and field goals attempted (12.0) per-game. He also set a new benchmark for three-pointers attempted (4.0) per-game. But, where Gallinari nearly matched his career FG%, Barton actually outdid his career average of 42.1%. So, what does this mean?

It means that everything is looking up for Will the Thrill, the “People’s Champ”. Last season, Barton introduced himself onto the stage of 6th Man of the Year discussions. In this upcoming season, he may very well be the front-runner.

Watch out, Will Barton is coming in HOT.

Mar 21, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Darrell Arthur (00) shoots over Cleveland Cavaliers center Timofey Mozgov (20) during the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

#6 Darrell Arthur (PF) FG Efficiency 45.2%

Last season, Arthur saw his biggest role yet as a professional in the NBA.

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Clocking over 20 minutes per-game, for only the second time in his 7 active years as a pro, must have put some pressure on Arthur. T

his seemed to help the PF, as he put up the highest FG% of his career as a Nugget. Arthur was able to play smart basketball, and average a respectable FG% as a PF.

45.2% is nothing to talk about on ESPN, but it did show a better than average efficiency for Arthur. His career FG% is 44.4%, so he didn’t necessarily have a great season of shooting. But still, being able to slightly outdo his season average, despite a significantly larger role, shows reliability.

Arthur saw a nice contract extension from the Nuggets in this off-season. This shows Denver’s confidence in his ability to play smart, reliable basketball.

Arthur may even see himself as a start soon enough also.

Apr 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) defends against Denver Nuggets guard Gary Harris (14) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

#5 Gary Harris (SG) FG Efficiency: 46.9 %

Last year was humongous for Gary Harris. He managed to improve in nearly every statistical category, including FG%. In the 2014-15 season, he shot just 30.4%. Some were quick to call him a bust, but Harris proved that he belongs in the NBA by boosting his FG% incredibly.

Cracking your team’s Top-5 for FG%s (as a guard) is pretty impressive. Jumping from 30.4% to 46.9% is even more impressive. In fact, just averaging an efficiency of 46.9% would have been impressive alone. It is a number to be proud of.

Last season, Demar DeRozan and Klay Thompson, two of the best SGs in the league, shot 44.6% and 47.0%, respectively. As far as efficiency is concerned, Harris has placed himself right in great company. This “bust” may very well become a star.

Apr 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard JaKarr Sampson (9) drives to the net in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Spurs 102-98. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

#4 JaKarr Sampson (SG/SF) FG Efficiency: 47.0%

JaKarr Sampson nearly defined “role player” last season. He was aware of his own skill-set, knew his place on the team, and for the most part, played exactly how any coach would have wanted him to.

Sampson is no star athlete, but he also gives very little to complain about. His reliability as a complimentary role-player, albeit short lived, has kept him in the discussion of roster spots heading into the 2016-17 season.

It would not be surprising to see Sampson in a Nuggets uniform for another season.

Mar 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) takes a shot against Los Angeles Lakers center Roy Hibbert (17) in the first quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

#3 Nikola Jokic (C) FG Efficiency 51.2%

This FG% matches what most would expect from a center. Hanging somewhere around the 50% mark is typical.

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What makes this percentage a bit more impressive, is the fact that Jokic shoots threes and deep twos. While centers like Andre Drummond and DeAndre Jordan are more likely to shoot near the 60% mark, they are also exclusively scoring in the paint.

For floor-spreading centers like Nikola Jokic, 51.2% is highly efficient. For example, DeMarcus Cousins, arguably the most dangerous floor-spreading center in the league, shot 45.1% last season. In fact, he has not yet reached or passed the 50% mark in any of his 6 NBA seasons. Jokic was able to do it as a rookie.

Nikola’s tight FG% is just one reason why so many have jumped on the Jokic train. The young center has already made quite a splash, and seems to have a bright future ahead of him, especially if he continues to play smart basketball.

Mar 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Zaza Pachulia (27) fouls Denver Nuggets center Joffrey Lauvergne (77) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Mavericks defeated the Nuggets 97-88. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

#2 Joffrey Lauvergne (C) FG Efficiency 51.3%

Lauvergne, while capable of hitting outside shots, was far more of a paint-scoring center than Nikola Jokic. Still, as a young and relatively inexperienced center, shooting above 50% on the season was a welcome feat.

His efficiency likely played a big role in his recent acquisition by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Thunder got to play against the Nuggets a lot last year. Clearly, they noticed Lauvergne’s self-aware style of taking intelligent shots.

He should make a nice addition to their second unit, and may even earn a starting spot if he shows improvement in rebounding and defense.

Mar 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) swings on the basket after a dunk in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

#1 Kenneth Faried (PF) FG Efficiency: 55.8%

Kenneth Faried had a slightly above average FG% last year. His career average is 54.4%.

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As a PF, shooting that close to 60% is actually quite impressive. However, compared to most modern NBA power forwards, Faried plays more like a center.

His shooting ability is pretty much exclusive to the paint. With that in mind, one could argue that his FG% should actually be closer to the 60% mark than it was last season.

In the end, Faried performed almost exactly as he was realistically expected to. Fans have long hoped for a jump of improvement from Faried, but he seems to be more honed in on consistency. Though he has a lot to work on game-to-game, his seasonal averages have been pretty similar each year.

Hopefully this season will be more of a breakout year for Faried, but at the very worst, fans should expect another season of efficiency,matching his typical FG% in the mid 50’s.

This team was not the most efficient overall, and they will certainly try to improve on that this upcoming season.

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