Neil Olshey wants the Blazers to focus on three-point shooting more this season. How have the roster players participating in Summer League shot from outside?
In the press conference introducing Nik Stauskas and Seth Curry, most questions were for Neil Olshey. Besides asking about the Lillard-to-LA rumors, reporters pushed Olshey for answers about the Ed Davis departure.
The GM cited a need for better outside shooting as reason for letting Davis sign with the Brooklyn Nets. After the New Orleans Pelicans’ defensive plan shut Portland’s offense down, Olshey decided to add three-point aficionados.
Summer League play has been a test run for the new style of offense. In the three preliminary games, the Blazers have attempted 58 three-pointers. They’ve made 28 of those, shooting at a 48.3% clip.
How have the players on Portland’s regular season roster participating in Summer League action shot from three specifically?
Anfernee Simons
The Blazers drafted Anfernee Simons based on his offensive promise. He’s a crafty shot creator who can score from anywhere on the court, especially from beyond the arc.
In three Summer League games, Simons averages 10.3 points and 1 three-pointer in 20.3 minutes. He shot 42.9% field goal and 33.3% from three.
The three-point percentage isn’t where it needs to be yet, but he’s certainly shown his shooting range.
Omari Spellman wanted nothing to do with Anfernee Simons here. Without even taking a dribble, Simons creates plenty of space to knock down his second three-pointer in less than a minute. pic.twitter.com/j5qqcdCbh3
— Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) July 8, 2018
Gary Trent Jr.
A second consecutive draft-night trade with the Sacramento Kings gave the Blazers the rights to Gary Trent Jr. His was added purely for three-point shooting; Trent Jr. broke Duke’s single-season three-pointer record with 97 as a freshman.
So far in Summer League, he’s struggled from beyond the arc. He’s a combined 5/13 from three, four of which came in Tuesday’s win over the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite the mediocre outside shooting, Trent Jr. is still racking up points. In his Summer League debut, he scored 16 points, second most on the team. He then led the team in scoring on Tuesday with 20 points on 4/8 three-pointers.
Trent Jr. hasn't been shooting too well from 3 so far, but this release looked good despite a defender in his face pic.twitter.com/4940McVI4U
— Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) July 10, 2018
While Trent Jr. frequently knocks down fading midrange jumpers, he seems to need set feet that are square to the basket for three-pointers. In this video, the rookie catches the pass, swings his feet around to line up with the hoop, and fires a smooth jumper that hits bottom of the net.
Jake Layman
Jake Layman has been Portland’s best three-point shooter so far. He began Summer League decently, scoring 14 points plus one three-pointer in 29 minutes.
Then, Layman turned a shooting switch on. In the following two games, he has scored a combined 38 points on 7/9 threes.
These outside shots come in all sorts of variations. He generally pulls up right in the defenders eye or swings around screens to shoot without hesitation.
Layman is hitting threes left and right. He has 15 points and is 3/4 from deep. Never seen him so confident with the ball in his hands pic.twitter.com/A0ZenUFmaM
— Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) July 10, 2018
Caleb Swanigan
Caleb Swanigan attempted eight three-pointers in his 27 NBA games last season. He only made one of them.
Despite more and better opportunities to shoot in Summer League, Swanigan has only tried five three-pointers so far. He hit two of those five, one of which was a bank to start Portland’s Summer League scoring.
A Swanigan three? Yeah, we like that pic.twitter.com/SGCXWX3Gb0
— Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) July 8, 2018
After setting screens, the bulky forward usually rolls toward the rim. However, he’s shown that he can make the occasional three in space. Following several pick-and-rolls, Swanigan can surprise his defender by hopping out to the three-point line instead for an open look.
Zach Collins
Zach Collins only played two Summer League games; he injured his ankle against the Atlanta Hawks and therefore sat out versus the San Antonio Spurs.
Related Story: Breaking down Zach Collins' 2 Summer League games
In his two appearances, Collins shot one three-pointer…he drained it. Playing alongside Swanigan moves Collins to the center, a position he’ll play for the Blazers during the regular season. As center, he will spend more time inside the three-point arc.
Still, expect Collins to run his fair share of pick-and-pops with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. His one made three-pointer is an example of this.
A little sneak peak at what @zcollins_33 will add to the Blazers with more minutes next season #RipCity pic.twitter.com/Wag5aHGdxc
— Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) July 10, 2018
Wade Baldwin IV
For the Texas Legends last season, Wade Baldwin made a measly one three-pointer out of 4.2 attempts per game (23.9%). Over his two-year G-League career, he shot 27.6% from beyond the arc and made less than one three per contest.
So far in Summer League, he is 3/5 from deep. These five attempts came from pull-up threes right in the defenders face, illustrating the newfound confidence in his outside shooting.
The minimal three-point attempts also show his offensive IQ. Instead of taking bad shots like many Summer League players do, Baldwin capitalizes on high-percentage opportunities and looks for a pass if no shot is available.
Next: 5 things we noticed in Summer League game #3
Portland’s Summer League team is 3-0 largely in part due to a 48.3% success rate from beyond the arc. Players on the actual Blazers roster are leading the way with their smart and efficient three-point shooting.
If Neil Olshey plans to focus on outside shooting more next season, the reserve unit showing off in Summer League right now should fit in seamlessly.