During Willie Green’s debut season of 2003-04 as a rookie guard with Philadelphia, professional basketball held a considerably more rigid philosophy on three-point shooting than it does now.
“It’s totally different (now) than the beginning of my career,” said Green, now New Orleans Pelicans head coach, after Thursday’s training-camp practice. “We were taught (when I was a player) that shooting threes was like letting (defenses) off the hook (by settling for an outside shot). For the most part (now), if you’re open, and it’s a catch-and-shoot, that’s a high-percentage shot in the NBA. So we want to encourage our guys to shoot that.”
Willie Green talks Pelicans Roster at Training Camp 10/5/2023
That 76ers team Green played for as a rookie averaged a mere 12.1 three-point attempts per game, a tally surpassed in 2022-23 by the duo of Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (7.2) and forward Trey Murphy (6.3) alone. As a team, New Orleans fired 30.1 treys a night last season, but in the NBA’s current three-point-happy environment, that actually ranked second-lowest in the league (only Chicago took fewer at 28.9).
Green and the Pelicans have focused on trying to increase their three-point volume, an area where New Orleans hasn’t kept pace this decade, finishing in the bottom 10 in attempts for three consecutive seasons.
With Murphy (knee) expected to be sidelined into the start of the regular season, the push to be more prolific from long distance will likely need to be a group effort for the Pelicans. With the No. 14 draft pick in the lottery, they selected Jordan Hawkins, described by some analysts as the best shooter in the 2023 class. The UConn product recognizes the importance of him bringing that skill to New Orleans.
“My shooting ability I think is one of the main reasons they drafted me, so I’m going to use that,” Hawkins said Thursday. “The way I spread the floor. I think that’s going to be a big part of the offense this year. I think that could be a big role for me.”
Jordan Hawkins first impressions at Pelicans Training Camp 10/5/2023
Some of last season’s dip to a No. 29 team ranking in three-point attempts was due to key injuries. Beyond McCollum and Murphy, Jose Alvarado (4.0) played in 61 games, while Brandon Ingram (3.6) appeared in 45. The only other Pelicans who launched more than 3.0 per game split a total of 76 appearances in the Crescent City, because they were traded for each other (Josh Richardson, Devonte’ Graham).
Asked if he might fire more from beyond the arc with Murphy sidelined, McCollum noted that it’s still important to maintain good shot selection. The Pelicans were also one of the best paint-scoring teams in the league last season, particularly when Zion Williamson was on the court (he played in 29 of first 37 games). New Orleans finished ninth in paint points (53.4 average) in 2022-23, including fourth (55.2) through Williamson’s Jan. 2 injury.
“You (might) like to shoot 10 threes, but are you going to shoot four bad ones (in order to accomplish that)?” McCollum asked rhetorically. “Or are you going to make a play for someone else (by getting) to the paint? (Shot selection is) about playing some of the analytics, but also playing to my skill set, which is take what they give (me), create what (I) want and really get the defense in rotation.”
Naji Marshall talks teammates at Pelicans Training Camp 10/5/2023
Part of a New Orleans increase could also come from more games played by Williamson, whose presence tends to draw multiple defenders in efforts to keep him away from the rim. Williamson averaged a career-best 4.6 assists last season, creating quality shots for teammates. As third-year wing Herb Jones (2.5 trey attempts average last season) noted Wednesday, the Pelicans are happy to see anyone release from beyond the arc, as long as it’s an uncontested look.
“I wouldn’t say I’m putting pressure on myself because Trey’s out,” Jones said, when asked specifically about shooting more threes. “We kind of take what the defense gives us, and we’re OK with whoever is taking open shots.”