The Weekside: The best 10 catch-and-shoot players in the NBA

The top-10 list of best catch-and-shoot players includes no-brainers like Stephen Curry, but also a few surprises.

Catch the ball. Shoot the ball. In the hardwood realm, it doesn’t get any more simple or fundamental than this. We’ve gotten to a point where — despite what some old people might tell you about “kids today” — it’s getting harder and harder to validate your presence on the court if you can’t at least routinely hit a kick-out jumper.

Being a high-level scorer is still a feather in a player’s cap. But being a capable shooter has become a veritable prerequisite. With the growing importance of the 3-point shot, proper spacing and offensive rhythm in one’s offense all but depends on it.

Generally, the best catch-and-shoot players are just the best shooters. The thinking being that, If you can make a jumper under variable conditions — hands in face, bricks in lungs, pressure on the mind — you’re bound to be even better when all it takes is standing still, grabbing a pass, and launching a shot.

Only, the final results don’t always bare that out.

Last year, there were a few surprises among the best catch-and-shoot 3-point takers. Here is a breakdown of the top 10* by 3-point percentage, according to NBA player tracking data.

* with a minimum of 500 minutes played and at least 41 made 3-pointers on the season

Credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

10. Khris Middleton – 120-of-271 (44.3%)
9. George Hill – 102-of-227 (44.9%)
8. Kyle Lowry – 130-of-282 (46.1%)
7. Kawhi Leonard – 103-of-222 (46.4%)
6. Matthew Dellavedova – 75-of-160 (46.9%)

The most interesting tidbit of this non-top-five group? It features three point guards. Combined with the players yet to be named (spoiler alert), this means point guards make up five of the top 10.

That seems outlandish.

Point guards are floor generals, offense runners, and distributors. Yes, being able to knock down a triple is nice if the ball happens to swing back around. But it was hardly a major need for point guards in earlier eras.

A lead guards having a good year doesn’t necessarily mark a trend. This is especially true when two of them are a combo guard like George Hill and an outlier like (spoiler alert) Stephen Curry.

It sure is fascinating, though.

Also worth noting: The back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year is also one of the best shooters in the NBA.

Michael Jordan is the only other DPOY award winner who comes anywhere close to this distinction, and even he a) wasn’t yet known for his midrange game when he won it in 1988; and b) never developed any semblance of shooting range despite becoming an 18-foot assassin.

On to the top five …

5. Josh Richardson

50-of-106 (47.2 percent)

The Miami Heat have done something few teams ever do: Even while making a mess of the Dwyane Wade exit and overseeing a franchise that is having trouble navigating Chris Bosh’s health concerns, Pat Riley finds gems.

The peach of them all, of course, is blooming two-way stud Justise Winslow. For this, Riley deserves credit. But picking a thoroughbred 10th in the draft, while rare, is by no means unheard of. (Pauls Pierce and George leap to mind.)

Picking Hassan Whiteside off the scrap heap? Pure genius. Just below that brilliant work comes uncovering Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson. Who, after all, would’ve thought either would be such a contributor?

Richardson played four years at the University of Tennessee before earning a token second-round selection from the Heat with the 40th overall pick in 2015. He bubbled up slowly over the year, eventually becoming a big-time part of the rotation the longer the season went on.

By March, Richardson was so impressive that he won Rookie of the Month in the Easter Conference. His shooting was impeccable, having sunk an ungodly 33-of-56 (58.9 percent) triples during the month.

Will he be a great shooter going forward? The sample size and lack of attention he got on the perimeter as a rookie makes it tough to say. That said, he sure looks like a keeper.

If he continues to hit jumpers, it will make an excellent acquisition all the better.

Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jerryd Bayless

84-of-176 (47.7 percent)

By far the biggest shocker on this list. There isn’t a whole lot to say about Jerryd Bayless, really, beyond spelling his name like a jerk and being on the fringe of NBA relevance since he entered the league in 2008.

An NBA journeyman who’s suited up for seven teams in eight seasons, Bayless is a 6-foot-3 combo guard for hire. He isn’t good enough for any GM to put him in their long-term plans, but he’s reliable and talented enough to fill a need in a pinch.

Last season, though, Bayless well full-on sniper. Still just 28-years-old, he shot a career-best 43.7 percent from long range, including 47.7 percent on catch-and-shoot threes.

Bayless is a career 36.5 percent shooter from deep.

How do you explain this?

Stats are weird, man.

If Bayless can bring something even remotely similar to the young-and-fun Philadelphia 76ers this season, the already-proclaimed darlings of League Pass will be even more exciting to watch.

3. J.J. Redick

154-of- 318 (48.4 percent)

J.J. Redick would be an obvious guess for this list, and he marks the first “Well, of course” entrance into the top five. Few humans have ever shot a basketball better, as the once-punchable Duke Blue Devil has hit 41.2 percent of his hoists during his career.

For context, Reggie Miller only made 39.5 percent.

Ray Allen, meanwhile, finished at an OCD-appropriate 40.0 percent.

What more can you say about Redick? He’s still only 32 years old and has generally improved with age. Still, he’s passing that sad intersection in every player’s career where one knows how to play the game best, but their body is starting to defy instructions.

Still, Redick’s defense is based more upon discipline and angles than quickness, and his shot isn’t going anywhere. He also hosts an excellent podcast to fall back on in a few years when the wheels fall off.

For now, the Los Angeles Clippers still lack the depth to really threaten the Golden State Warriors, but the Doc Rivers-led starting unit will remain one of the top two or three in the Association.

While oft-overlooked, J.J. Redick is a big reason why. His uncanny shooting ability helps ensure the defense can’t cheat on the weakside to close off real estate that Chris Paul then turns into near-Earth-orbit lobs for Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

2. Stephen Curry

177-of-363 (48.8 percent)

The greatest shooter ever was a lock for the top five. The only surprise is that he isn’t second to none.

Steph Curry is the best off the dribble. He’s the best at a standstill. He’s the here or there, and the bar-none best anywhere.

Being banged up in the final two rounds of the playoffs has somewhat marred his reputation, why with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving ascending to Mount Olympus and turning everyone below them into puny mortals worthy of only Twitter-meme score.

But lest we forget, healthy Steph can’t be stopped by any six people.

Curry hit a preposterous 48.8 percent on catch-and-shoot triples last year — which really isn’t even that much better than his 45.4 percent make rate on threes across the board. He continued to re-write the record book with 402 makes from deep to lead the league for a fourth-straight season.

This total may drop a bit now that Kevin Durant is going to get nearly 20 shots per night. And the Warriors may be so good that Curry’s 34 minutes per night fall even farther this year.

Regardless, don’t expect this rate to go down much — if at all. There has never been anything like Steph when it comes to putting Js in the hole, and with Durant taking up more ball-handling duties, Curry should only see a higher percentage of catch-and-shoot treys.

Given this, there’s no reason he can’t cross the 50 percent mark in 2016-17.

1. Jeff Teague

56-of-113 (49.6 percent)

Jeff Teague? The guy from Atlanta?

Well, it’s Indiana now, but yes.

In 300 guesses, Teague’s name would be unlikely to come up for this distinction. Even Hawks fans who saw him shoot well all year would likely be stumped.

Teague did rip up the nets last year, however.

It thus seems odd that he was put on the trade market during what was — by far — his career-best shooing season. At 40.0 percent on all types of 3s, Teague shattered his previous high of 37.5 percent. Until last season, he hadn’t made more than 35.9 percent since 2010-11.

Teague’s shooting display is hard to explain. Players can improve as shooters, of course, but such a jump — as a 27-year-old with six years of experience — is unusual to say the least. The sample size is not exactly Curry-like, but it’s also 113 catch-and-shoot 3s and 275 overall. That is a lot by historical standards.

One reasonable explanation could be an assumption of increased off-ball play. But despite the emergence of Dennis Schröder (whose youth and talent eventually pushed him off the roster), Teague only shared the court with his German teammate for 126 minutes. Teague’s usage rate was also a career-high 26.6 percent, so it isn’t exactly like there is much statistical evidence of him developing passivity and just standing around open in the corner all game.

The smart money here is simply on Teague having a fantastic shooting season. When standing behind the arc and fed by his ‘mates, he delivered. Whether this was luck or something he can build on for the future remains to be seen.

Larry Bird and the Indiana Pacers are certainly hoping it’s a sign of things to come.

10. Khris Middleton – 120-of-271 (44.3%)
9. George Hill – 102-of-227 (44.9%)
8. Kyle Lowry – 130-of-282 (46.1%)
7. Kawhi Leonard – 103-of-222 (46.4%)
6. Matthew Dellavedova – 75-of-160 (46.9%)

The most interesting tidbit of this non-top-five group? It features three point guards. Combined with the players yet to be named (spoiler alert), this means point guards make up five of the top 10.

That seems outlandish.

Point guards are floor generals, offense runners, and distributors. Yes, being able to knock down a triple is nice if the ball happens to swing back around. But it was hardly a major need for point guards in earlier eras.

A lead guards having a good year doesn’t necessarily mark a trend. This is especially true when two of them are a combo guard like George Hill and an outlier like (spoiler alert) Stephen Curry.

It sure is fascinating, though.

Also worth noting: The back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year is also one of the best shooters in the NBA.

Michael Jordan is the only other DPOY award winner who comes anywhere close to this distinction, and even he a) wasn’t yet known for his midrange game when he won it in 1988; and b) never developed any semblance of shooting range despite becoming an 18-foot assassin.

On to the top five …

5. Josh Richardson

50-of-106 (47.2 percent)

The Miami Heat have done something few teams ever do: Even while making a mess of the Dwyane Wade exit and overseeing a franchise that is having trouble navigating Chris Bosh’s health concerns, Pat Riley finds gems.

The peach of them all, of course, is blooming two-way stud Justise Winslow. For this, Riley deserves credit. But picking a thoroughbred 10th in the draft, while rare, is by no means unheard of. (Pauls Pierce and George leap to mind.)

Picking Hassan Whiteside off the scrap heap? Pure genius. Just below that brilliant work comes uncovering Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson. Who, after all, would’ve thought either would be such a contributor?

Richardson played four years at the University of Tennessee before earning a token second-round selection from the Heat with the 40th overall pick in 2015. He bubbled up slowly over the year, eventually becoming a big-time part of the rotation the longer the season went on.

By March, Richardson was so impressive that he won Rookie of the Month in the Easter Conference. His shooting was impeccable, having sunk an ungodly 33-of-56 (58.9 percent) triples during the month.

Will he be a great shooter going forward? The sample size and lack of attention he got on the perimeter as a rookie makes it tough to say. That said, he sure looks like a keeper.

If he continues to hit jumpers, it will make an excellent acquisition all the better.

4. Jerryd Bayless

84-of-176 (47.7 percent)

By far the biggest shocker on this list. There isn’t a whole lot to say about Jerryd Bayless, really, beyond spelling his name like a jerk and being on the fringe of NBA relevance since he entered the league in 2008.

An NBA journeyman who’s suited up for seven teams in eight seasons, Bayless is a 6-foot-3 combo guard for hire. He isn’t good enough for any GM to put him in their long-term plans, but he’s reliable and talented enough to fill a need in a pinch.

Last season, though, Bayless well full-on sniper. Still just 28-years-old, he shot a career-best 43.7 percent from long range, including 47.7 percent on catch-and-shoot threes.

Bayless is a career 36.5 percent shooter from deep.

How do you explain this?

Stats are weird, man.

If Bayless can bring something even remotely similar to the young-and-fun Philadelphia 76ers this season, the already-proclaimed darlings of League Pass will be even more exciting to watch.

3. J.J. Redick

154-of- 318 (48.4 percent)

J.J. Redick would be an obvious guess for this list, and he marks the first “Well, of course” entrance into the top five. Few humans have ever shot a basketball better, as the once-punchable Duke Blue Devil has hit 41.2 percent of his hoists during his career.

For context, Reggie Miller only made 39.5 percent.

Ray Allen, meanwhile, finished at an OCD-appropriate 40.0 percent.

What more can you say about Redick? He’s still only 32 years old and has generally improved with age. Still, he’s passing that sad intersection in every player’s career where one knows how to play the game best, but their body is starting to defy instructions.

Still, Redick’s defense is based more upon discipline and angles than quickness, and his shot isn’t going anywhere. He also hosts an excellent podcast to fall back on in a few years when the wheels fall off.

For now, the Los Angeles Clippers still lack the depth to really threaten the Golden State Warriors, but the Doc Rivers-led starting unit will remain one of the top two or three in the Association.

While oft-overlooked, J.J. Redick is a big reason why. His uncanny shooting ability helps ensure the defense can’t cheat on the weakside to close off real estate that Chris Paul then turns into near-Earth-orbit lobs for Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

2. Stephen Curry

177-of-363 (48.8 percent)

The greatest shooter ever was a lock for the top five. The only surprise is that he isn’t second to none.

Steph Curry is the best off the dribble. He’s the best at a standstill. He’s the here or there, and the bar-none best anywhere.

Being banged up in the final two rounds of the playoffs has somewhat marred his reputation, why with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving ascending to Mount Olympus and turning everyone below them into puny mortals worthy of only Twitter-meme score.

But lest we forget, healthy Steph can’t be stopped by any six people.

Curry hit a preposterous 48.8 percent on catch-and-shoot triples last year — which really isn’t even that much better than his 45.4 percent make rate on threes across the board. He continued to re-write the record book with 402 makes from deep to lead the league for a fourth-straight season.

This total may drop a bit now that Kevin Durant is going to get nearly 20 shots per night. And the Warriors may be so good that Curry’s 34 minutes per night fall even farther this year.

Regardless, don’t expect this rate to go down much — if at all. There has never been anything like Steph when it comes to putting Js in the hole, and with Durant taking up more ball-handling duties, Curry should only see a higher percentage of catch-and-shoot treys.

Given this, there’s no reason he can’t cross the 50 percent mark in 2016-17.

1. Jeff Teague

56-of-113 (49.6 percent)

Jeff Teague? The guy from Atlanta?

Well, it’s Indiana now, but yes.

In 300 guesses, Teague’s name would be unlikely to come up for this distinction. Even Hawks fans who saw him shoot well all year would likely be stumped.

Teague did rip up the nets last year, however.

It thus seems odd that he was put on the trade market during what was — by far — his career-best shooing season. At 40.0 percent on all types of 3s, Teague shattered his previous high of 37.5 percent. Until last season, he hadn’t made more than 35.9 percent since 2010-11.

Teague’s shooting display is hard to explain. Players can improve as shooters, of course, but such a jump — as a 27-year-old with six years of experience — is unusual to say the least. The sample size is not exactly Curry-like, but it’s also 113 catch-and-shoot 3s and 275 overall. That is a lot by historical standards.

One reasonable explanation could be an assumption of increased off-ball play. But despite the emergence of Dennis Schröder (whose youth and talent eventually pushed him off the roster), Teague only shared the court with his German teammate for 126 minutes. Teague’s usage rate was also a career-high 26.6 percent, so it isn’t exactly like there is much statistical evidence of him developing passivity and just standing around open in the corner all game.

The smart money here is simply on Teague having a fantastic shooting season. When standing behind the arc and fed by his ‘mates, he delivered. Whether this was luck or something he can build on for the future remains to be seen.

Larry Bird and the Indiana Pacers are certainly hoping it’s a sign of things to come.