That’s what Baron Davis shot during the Clippers’ four-game road trip. Baron hit only four of 24 attempts from beyond the arc, and when you take away the technical free throws, Baron turned only eight additional possessions into trips to the line.
28.6% from the field, a true-shooting percentage of 39.9% — however you slice the numbers, they amount to very bad news for the Los Angeles Clippers.
It’s fair to assume that, with the possible exception of Mike Dunleavy, nobody wants Baron Davis to emerge from his slump more than Baron Davis. So rather than dwell on the unconscionable leaners, off-balanced prayers, and generally ill-advised bombs that comprised his 51 missed FGAs over the past week, let’s be more constructive. In trying to claw his way out of this funk, what can Baron Davis draw upon? When the shots have fallen, how have they materialized?
Let’s take a look, game-by-game, at where Baron is successful from the floor:
Oklahoma City [7-21]: Despite the fact that he needed 21 shots, this was arguably Baron’s most productive game of the trip. He hits a couple of dribble-jumpers, though both inside of 18 feet with sufficient separation from his defender. The other five makes are as follows:
- Two layups on Clipper fast breaks.
- Two pretty spot-up jumpers with his feet set, one a 3PM. How does he get the open space along the perimeter? With some smart, off-the-ball movement.
- One step-back 3PM, the only attempt of the seven that could be fairly categorized as an unequivocally “bad shot.”
Chicago [6-23]: Baron has an awful shooting night from the floor, missing 17 attempts. The majority of the other six attempts are heady, smart shots:
- Davis’ first make comes after a S/R, when the Chicago defense fails to recover. Baron is left alone on the wing. There’s nothing but open space underneath — so Baron makes a hard cut and Marcus Camby hits him there for an easy layup.
- Two dribble-drive layups — the first courtesy of a high Paul Davis screen, the second when Derrick Rose defends him to drive right and Baron goes left.
- A layup in transition.
- Two 3PMs. The first three comes after he spots up on the wing, with his feet perfectly set, off a Mike Taylor kick-out. The second is a step-back job after Nocioni practically dares him to shoot it.
Indiana [5-18]: Of the five shots Baron hits from the field, only one of them is a PUJ. The other four?
- A nice set in which Baron comes off a little curl on a screen from Zach Randolph.
- A transition layup.
- A layup on a hard cut after the Indiana defense gets distracted by a deflected ball.
- A strong baseline dribble-drive all the way to the hole when he gets a step on Jarrett Jack.
Milwaukee [2-9]: The less said about this performance, the better. Baron works himself two good baskets:
- A high S/R with Camby at the top of the circle. Baron steps inside the screen and hits an uncontested jumper from the foul line.
- Baron easily beats Luke Ridnour on a left-handed baseline dribble-drive. He pulls up at 17 and drains the jumper.
Over the course of the week, how many 3PMs does Baron Davis convert off the dribble? Exactly two. To the extent Baron is a threat from the perimeter, it’s as a spot-up shooter with his feet set, coming off a curl or finding some open space in a drive-and-kick set when the ball isn’t in his hands. When Baron has control of the ball, he’s clearly better served by taking his man off the dribble all the way to the rack.
The Baron Davis 3-Step Program to Recovery: Transition, set shots, and dribble-drives to the hole.
15 Responses
They’ll win tonight, and Baron will have 34 points.
clipperfan Reply:
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:58 pm
baron davis tonight 4 for 15 and played with no energy all night.
VH Reply:
December 22nd, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Actually I thoughts Baron’s energy was better than most. He needs to be smarter but I didn’t think it was from lack of effort tonight.
clipperfan Reply:
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:31 am
his careless, sloppy play lead to 6 turnovers.
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 11:34 am
Very funny stuff concerning Corey Maggette’s new nickname
Corey Maggette: I read in the AP game notes that Maggette is still out with that strained right hamstring and that he’s played in only 16 of the Warriors’ 25 games. This reminded me of an email I recently received from Basketbawful reader Mark L, who claimed to have a new nickname for Mags: “They’ve started to call him ‘Bad Porn’ at various Warriors boards. Their justification? ‘Sure, there’s penetration and scoring, but are you really happy with what you’re seeing?’” I loved this one so much that I wanted to lock it in my storage space and keep it from the rest of the world. Then I realized that the rest of the worlds’ needs are greater than my own. There’s not need to thank me. (But really, there is. So, you know, thank me and stuff.)
d Reply:
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:31 pm
hahaha maggs is bad porn holy shit! hahahahhaaha i love it!
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 11:43 am
Maggette might be Bad Porn but Baron is a basketball sociopath – he hurts the people around him with his pathetic shooting and he doesn’t care one iota.
This guy has had 45 (!!!) consecutive games where he shot below 50% and has just been passed by Russell Westbrook as the starting PG with the worst FG shooting %.
Baron should be fitted with an electric bracelet that gives him a jolt every time he throws up one of his dumb shots. That’s the only way to teach this unrepentant shotchucker to wise up with the ball and pass to an open team mate.
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Clippers have to establish Al Thornton on the left wing early. This will take focus away from Randolph. Toronto might come up with a game plan which will include heavy defensive pressure surrounding Randolph. This can be altered fast by making Thornton, Baron & Camby getting busy early in the game.
And Thornton must learn fast to pass the ball to Randolph on the right wing.
If Randolph isn’t open, find cutting Gordon. Baron might not understand the significance of smart plays because he loves going with the flow. Even if the flow leads to nowhere.
Randolph knows this team can perform better. But he’s visibly frustrated because of Baron’s ‘pointless’ misadventures on the court.
Imagine what this team can do if Eric Gordon becomes a scoring threat. It’s Baron’s job to make him a threat. He might not want to see a rookie scoring big. But atleast for the sake of our team he must learn to subdue his tender ego.
left wing pressure Reply:
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
point is: we know what Camby & Randolph are capable of doing. Unless Thornton & Gordon feel free to be aggressive, this team will have to go overtime to win every game.
Thornton & Gordon should stop playing second fiddle. Be aggressive. Make plays & make it easier for Camby & Randolph.
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Thorton can’t stop playing second fiddle because it’s time to be realistic… he is second fiddle and should be. He has a decent pro game and can score but, like maggs, not a lot else. He needs to FINISH MORE. But to be totally realistic with his potential, he’s a gamer, a jobber, a starter, but at best a second or 3rd option. Which is OKAY. that’s what he should do. Any of this thorton can be an all star talk isnt realistic. Thorton should have a nice role on any starting line up and play his role well. that’s not a bad career… but let’s just be honest with ourselves clippers.
left wing pressure Reply:
December 22nd, 2008 at 2:32 pm
There’s no place for honesy in sports. If you want to win, you have to come up with everything you have. We know who Thornton is. I’m not trying to elevate AL to a superstardom.
If other teams ignore AL & Gordon, they’ll have field day against this team. Just stop Randolph and you got a easy win.
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
“Maggette might be Bad Porn but Baron is a basketball sociopath”
Stian wins the thread.
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
davis sucks. he needs to be traded!
Posted on December 23rd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Davis is his own worst enemy. He pounds the ball into the floor for 20 seconds, then has to manufacture something, usually an off-balance jumper or well defended drive.
He never penetrates and looks opposite to the wide open shooters, which is how Steve Nash made himself a superstar. Baron need to see all four guys on the floor, not just himself and whoever set the pick for him.
Posted on December 29th, 2008 at 8:04 am
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