National Basketball Association

Take Your Best Shot: Ben McLemore

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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One of the more attractive qualities in Ben McLemore’s game is his silky smooth jump shot.

In his lone season with the Kansas Jayhawks, McLemore was a sharpshooter. Shooting 49.5% from the court overall and recording an impressive 42% from the perimeter gave people the belief that he would replicate the same type of play/success that Hall-of-Fame to be Ray Allen had as a professional.

Well fast forward three seasons later and those high expectations that McLemore was given as a rookie have been greatly underachieved. So far in his career, McLemore has a field-goal percentage of 41.4 and a three-point percentage of 34.6. Although both statistics are adequate, neither are Ray Allen caliber, not even close.

With this being said, A Royal Pain continues its series of analyzing the roster on the Sacramento Kings to see where each player is at their most efficient shooting the ball. Obviously, today’s player will be Ben McLemore.

Where To Let It Go?

Listed below are the shooting charts for McLemore in his previous two seasons. What stands out the most is that there is a lot of inconsistency between the two charts.

Last season, McLemore found success shooting the ball at the left-wing perimeter and right midrange baseline, recording percentages of 45.7 and 50.

But when you see the shooting chart for his 2014-2015 campaign, you see percentages of 29.6 and 43.5 in those same areas. Instead, the sweet spots for McLemore two seasons ago were anywhere midrange from the basket and on the left-baseline of the perimeter, spots where McLemore found trouble making shots in last season.

Summary

Bottom line, just like what Kings fans probably anticipated, there isn’t really a specific spot where McLemore is dependable in making shots. Other than inside the paint, McLemore has shown in his two previous seasons the predictable inconsistency in his scoring ability based on his two shooting charts.

With hope, McLemore is able to find some reliability this season with his scoring. Last season he was a threat on the left-wing perimeter, and hopefully, that remains that same as well as finding success in other areas on the hardwood.

The Kings don’t need McLemore to be Ray Allen, but they do need a certain level of consistency out of him, on both ends of the court. Can this be the year when McLemore finally showcases his true potential?

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