Is LeBron an elite shooter now?

[Chronz]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story...-shooting-star

According to Synergy, 28 players have taken at least 400 jump shots this season. So in this sample, we're looking at the most prolific jump shooters on planet Earth -- Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Joe Johnson, Kobe Bryant and James Harden, etc.

Guess who ranks No. 1 in field goal percentage?

That's right, it's James. He's made 44.7 percent of all his jumpers, which equates to an effective field goal percentage of 52.8 percent. Going by effective field goal percentage, James trails only Ryan Anderson and J.J. Redick in this group.

But when it comes to straight conversion rate, no one's better. And get this: In 2004-05 -- the first recorded season in the Synergy database -- James ranked second-to-last in jump-shot field goal percentage among 57 players with at least 400 jumpers. He made only 34.8 percent of his tries back then; now it's up to a league-best 44.7 percent.

LEBRON'S JUMP-SHOOTING STATS

	Season 	GP 	MPG 	FG 	FGA 	FG% 	eFG%
2012-13 	54 	38.3 	3.4 	7.6 	44.7% 	52.8%
2011-12 	62 	37.5 	3.0 	7.8 	39.3% 	44.3%
2010-11 	79 	38.8 	3.6 	9.0 	39.8% 	45.4%
2009-10 	76 	39.0 	3.9 	10.3 	38.0% 	45.6%
2008-09 	81 	37.7 	3.8 	10.4 	36.2% 	43.2%
2007-08 	75 	40.4 	3.7 	10.8 	34.2% 	40.8%
2006-07 	78 	40.9 	3.3 	10.1 	32.4% 	37.4%
2005-06 	79 	42.5 	4.3 	11.8 	36.9% 	43.0%
2004-05 	80 	42.3 	3.5 	10.2 	34.8% 	40.4%
via Synergy

Coach Erik Spoelstra contends that James has trimmed the fat in his shot selection. And this checks out; James has taken one fewer shot from outside 10 feet per game than he did last season and about two fewer shots than his typical diet in Cleveland. And anecdotally, there's been fewer "dribble it up and chuck it from 25 feet" shots from James these days.

But this might just be a natural progression. When James took the world by storm out of high school, we wondered what he might look like in his prime. Well, here it is, folks. James is registering 27.0 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game on 56.7 percent shooting -- a stat line that has never been achieved in NBA history.

And he now wields one of the best jump shots in the game. We've never seen anything like this. So sit back and appreciate what he's doing because now more than ever, James is a shooting star.

[Hawkeye15]

just read the same article. Yes, he is an elite shooter this year, which is very scary for the league. Anyone who still thinks his FG% comes from dunks and layups is flat out not informed correctly.

[Big Zo]

The guy can place the ball on top of his ***, fart on it, and it will go inside the basket. Yes, he's an elite shooter now.

[LoveMeOrHateMe]

I wouldn't call him elite sure he is super efficient because most of his shots come form 5-10 feet out, but he is an above average shooter now, elite not yet, he's very streaky though

[sp1derm00]

It's scary how good Lebron has become. He's so consistently good, it's amazing.

[HouRealCoach]

The guy can place the ball on top of his ***, fart on it, and it will go inside the basket. Yes, he's an elite shooter now.

I suppose he is now... His efficiency has been equivalent to some of the best bigs in the game and he's been taking a few contested leaning long jumpers

It's insane

[Hawkeye15]

I wouldn't call him elite sure he is super efficient because most of his shots come form 5-10 feet out, but he is an above average shooter now, elite not yet, he's very streaky though

did you read the article? Obviously not, or you wouldn't state that most of his shots come from 5-10 feet out. Keep trying to discredit him though..

[HouRealCoach]

Then again, he does have to do it a little longer to be justified as an elite shooter

[Hawkeye15]

Then again, he does have to do it a little longer to be justified as an elite shooter

yeah, he was on the incline, but made a big jump this season. I am interested to see if it holds up. If it does, he is elite at it, but for now, he is an elite jump shooter, this season.

[Sactown]

The greatest thing about Lebron James is he understands the game, especially this season. He knows what shots he can make and he doesn't force the issue, he just makes the best basketball play. He's a very good jump shooter, but him knowing what's a good shot from a bad shot makes him elite.

So do I think Lebron is an elite shooter? No, but Lebron is a GREAT shooter, with elite shot selection.

[valade16]

Never seen this stat line before? MJ averaged 32.5 ppg, 8 rpg, 8 apg on 53.8% shooting. LeBron's shooting % is 2.9% better. I don't think that really equates to "never been seen before".

That being said, he's about as complete a player as is possible right now. Best player in the league unarguably. Just from the last few games I've seen of him his shooting was deadly.

[IKnowHoops]

yeah, he was on the incline, but made a big jump this season. I am interested to see if it holds up. If it does, he is elite at it, but for now, he is an elite jump shooter, this season.

Exactly

[IKnowHoops]

The greatest thing about Lebron James is he understands the game, especially this season. He knows what shots he can make and he doesn't force the issue, he just makes the best basketball play. He's a very good jump shooter, but him knowing what's a good shot from a bad shot makes him elite.

So do I think Lebron is an elite shooter? No, but Lebron is a GREAT shooter, with elite shot selection.

I agree, but his shot selection is past elite.

[Twins Fanatic]

The greatest thing about Lebron James is he understands the game, especially this season. He knows what shots he can make and he doesn't force the issue, he just makes the best basketball play. He's a very good jump shooter, but him knowing what's a good shot from a bad shot makes him elite.

So do I think Lebron is an elite shooter? No, but Lebron is a GREAT shooter, with elite shot selection.

Which would make players like Kobe and Melo elite shooters with crappy shot selections. Right?

[bucketss]

I wouldn't call him elite sure he is super efficient because most of his shots come form 5-10 feet out, but he is an above average shooter now, elite not yet, he's very streaky though

atleast say defenses don't put as much pressure on him on the perimeter compared to other elite shooters.