A curious statistic is making its way across social media that connects four Houston Rockets players in a not-so-good way. Here’s a list of the worst layup FG% in the NBA over the last 5 seasons (min. 600 layup attempts)
So who’s on the list? Fred VanVleet, Clint Capela, and Tari Eason are all here. But each guy has a reason to be around. That figure provides some valuable context, but it doesn’t capture the full story.
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Maybe VanVleet’s choice is the least surprising of all. He’s only 6′ so when he gets to the hoop, he’s going against a lot of taller defenders. He doesn’t finish at the rim with his athleticism. Instead, he’s driving to contested layups over shot blockers. But the point is, he’s ready to assault the paint even if it’s at a lower rate of conversion. It causes defenses to collapse, opening up possibilities for his teammates. Finishing percentage is only a small part of his overall offensive value. He’s still one of the top playmakers and one of the better volume 3-point shooters in the game.
Of the names on the list, Eason and his athleticism is the most surprising one. He’s relentless and high-energy, so he’s often throwing up off-balance shots in traffic. He presses the issue, he gets up the floor before the defense is set, and he produces turnovers. Those hard fouls can lead to some tough layups. But he’s a net positive due to his superb defense, rebounding, and ability to create additional possessions.
The biggest surprise could be the inclusion of Capela. He’s a traditional big man, dunks it and finishes at the rim, so you’d assume a much greater layup percentage. The number shows that he takes a lot of his non-dunk attempts in heavy contact or tough putback scenarios after offensive rebounds and not clean receptions in the pick-and-roll. However, Capela’s inclusion does make more sense when you factor in his age.
So really, this ranking just proves you can’t put someone in a box with one stat. VanVleet, Eason, and Capela all have trouble finishing layups, but they bring different ingredients that have helped make them vital pieces to the Rockets’ roster and winning culture.
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