NBA: Which player archetypes are an endangered species?

The NBA’s Endangered Species list

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 22: Andre Drummond #3 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on February 22, 2020 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

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2. Volume shooters

History has proven that volume shooters typically don’t lead their team very far and it still holds true in today’s NBA. These types of players have been forced to either do the same in a smaller role on title contenders or waste away their careers on mediocre ball clubs. Let’s dive deeper by looking at the top-five volume shooters from the 2013-14 season.

Carmelo Anthony (21.3 shot attempts per game) has been on three teams in the past four years and was not signed to an NBA roster for 376 days. Kevin Durant (20.8 per game) left Oklahoma City primarily because of Russell Westbrook’s volume shooting. LaMarcus Aldridge (20.6 per game) has advanced past the first round of the postseason three times in nine tries. Al Jefferson (18.8 per game) averaged 21.8 points a night for a Charlotte Hornets team that finished as the No. 7 seed in the East. From there, his numbers dwindled over the next three seasons before he retired in 2018. Finally, Kevin Love immediately left Minnesota and won a championship with Cleveland as the third option two seasons later.

Current “endangered” volume shooters: LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Mike Conley, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar DeRozan, Blake Griffin, Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook

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