Best mid range shooter of all time?
Bird is at least arguably the best clutch shooter of all time. You are right--his mixes on youtube are more of his clutch shots and sick passes and quick decisions (which is what makes him top 5 greatest worthy). Knowing that he was always considered one of the best shooters, I'm sure you could argue he had the best mid-game too.
What I do know is that he thought he was the greatest shooter ever and he made sure that he told anyone he faced that. He was known for his trash talk and backing it up so regardless of the percentages, he knew how to knock down those shots when it mattered most.
It's kind of funny to see this topic posted. Hardly anyone now has a midrange game. I consider most guys to be all or nothing. It seems most guys are either going all the way to the basket or all the way to the three point line. I think a really good example of that is JR Smith. As good as he is on offense now, I could see him being that much more effective with a midrange game.
As far as the best, it would have to be MJ. That is where he really excelled in my opinion. I think a guy like Rip is a great modern example of a nice midrange game. I think Paul Pierce is a guy that has a pretty good one too of all the more recent guys.
A.I. Was not a good shooter. His percentages were terrible. Dirk is good but not the best. A lot of you have never seen Jerry West, alex English, George Gervin or even Jordan ever actually play. When I was young Jordan Bird and Magic were gods! And even magic had a good mid range J. But I say it's a tie between Jordan Bird and Jerry West
Reggie Miller is just the best shooter of all time, didn't really matter if it was mid or 3pt. But as for now days, RIP has deffinitely got to be up there, he'd be Reggie Miller 2.0 if he could shoot 3's more consistantly. I don't consider guys like Dirk superb shooters because he's so dang tall, he can shoot over most opponents for a clear shot and an unblockable shot almost at will. If Dirk was 6'7 he'd only be an average shooter.
In his prime Terrell Brandon was one of the best mid range shooters around...he was just deadly coming off the pick and roll. Chauncey Billups also is a very good mid range shooter
Obviously MJ and Kobe are both amazing mid range shooters...Joe Dumars, George Gervin, Dirk, Paul Pierce, and even Karl Malone was had a great mid range game towards the end of his career
How do i get -'s, It's true that's his entire game practically how can he not be the best when he can make it on anybody at anytime fading away, double clutching, getting fouled, pushed away, one-handed, over anybody. I mean the guy averages 22ppg for his career he's made a living of off shooting the midrange shot.
i know people like to think of bryant as a scorer and not a specialized shooter
but the guy is a straight up sniper...he hits more mid range j's with people in his grill than anybody in the game today
yeah there are some power forwards like duncan who get to shoot a lot of mid range shots but usually they're set shots and open...not off the bounce like bryant...much greater degree of difficulty
Dirk being 7 foot tall shouldn't be a criticism. How good would a lot of players be had they been shorter? It's just one of his assets. Yea, he doesn't break ankles to create space (really no one over 6'8" LEGITIMATELY does that), but I personally love watching him use his height, cock that leg out, and shoot rainbows. Just because the height makes it even possible in the first place doesn't mean that it takes a lot of skill to judge the distance of those shots.
IMO from playing, adding arch on your shot in a split second is very hard to judge and not airball/brick it. The fact that Dirk can do this in his sleep should be something everyone should want to try and mimic. I honestly can't recall another play who can purposely rainbow the ball like he can.
Who do you think is the best?
For me i think i might have to go Larry Bird simply from what i've heard because in mixes they don't show much of the mid range game in any mixes though.