Βy Giorgos Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
The 2017-2018 season is over and Real Madrid is the ultimate winner, while the rest of the teams are concerned with everything that went wrong on the court.
The clubs want to appear improved in the new season and the coaches, in collaboration with the teams’ management, have already started thinking about the day after. This includes several transfer moves at a time when long-range shooting and the three-pointer are an integral part of every team’s game plan.
Eurohoops singles out players who possess a venomous shot and who are definitely on the transfer list of several EuroLeague teams…
James Nunnally
Stats: 9.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists
Three-point shooting percentage (2017/2018): 55.4%
Career percentage in three-point shooting: 50.6%
James Nunnally was signed by Fenerbahce in the summer of 2016 and immediately helped the Turkish team reach the historic EuroLeague win in May of 2017. Zeljko Obradovic gave the American even more playing time in the season that was just completed and he took full advantage of the opportunity by improving his averages.
The 55.4% with which Nunnally executes from behind the 6.75m line is the second-best percentage in the competition and places him among the most charismatic shooters. His contract expires in the next few weeks and it remains to be seen whether Fenerbahce will make a move in order to renew their collaboration with the player.
Any coach who wants to add to his roster a guard that’s a threat from long-range has the name of James Nunnally very high on his transfer list.
Matt Janning
Stats: 8.3 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists
Three-point shooting percentage (2017/2018): 38.8%
Career percentage in three-point shooting: 39.3%
Matt Janning is one of the “hottest” shooters in Europe and a constant threat for rival defenses as long as he’s on the court. If he gets into a rhythm, it’s hard to stop him, while he can also execute as a spot shooter but also after a dribble.
Baskonia’s fast game, with their great freedom of movement and many threes, is a perfect match for the American, who counted a total of 62 for 160 three-pointers this season, a 39.3% figure.
Janning has considerable experience in Europe as he has been playing in the EuroLeague and the EuroCup since 2012, while his price isn’t incredibly high. A classic case of a ‘value for money’ player, who, armed with a venomous shot, has been finding contracts for years.
KC Rivers
Stats: 8.5 points, 2.7 rebounds
Three-point shooting percentage (2017/2018): 35.8%
Career percentage in three-point shooting: 38.6%
KC Rivers has a career percentage that is close to 40% from outside the 6.75m line and his three-pointers have roused Panathinaikos’s fans on multiple occasions. This season’s 35.8% may have been one of his worst personal performances but there is a reason for it, as a left shoulder injury threw him off rhythm.
The American doesn’t need a lot of time or space to become dangerous and if he has a good start to a game then the rival defense will have to be especially careful with him. A good screen is usually enough for him to take advantage and execute, while he can also hit the mark after a dribble too.
Important note: Rivers’ contract with Panathinaikos is expiring but this doesn’t mean that the two sides will necessarily terminate their collaboration as they still need to negotiate. More will become clear after the end of the Greek championship.
Trey Thompkins
Stats: 9.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists
Three-point shooting percentage (2017/2018): 42%
Career percentage in three-point shooting: 40.8%
Trey Thompkins is coming off an excellent season in the colors of Real Madrid, during which he averaged 9.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and a 42% from outside the three-point line. The American’s long-range shooting proved to be crucial in the playoffs against Panathinaikos and provided solutions in the semifinal against CSKA Moscow.
The 28-year-old forward is extremely dangerous as a spot shooter and his ability in three-point shooting forces the rival forward to constantly follow him away from the basket. Thompkins signed a two-year extension in the summer of 2016, which means that in the next few weeks he will be free to negotiate with any other club he wishes.
If a coach wants to add to his team a tall frame with a flair for long-range shooting, he knows where to find him…
Erick Green
Stats: 14.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Three-point shooting percentage (2017/2018): 41.7%
Career percentage in three-point shooting: 39.9%
Erick Green may not be considered a genuine three-point shooter but as a charismatic scorer, he doesn’t lag behind in this particular area. It’s telling that he exceeded the 40% threshold for two seasons in a row, both with Olympiacos (40.1%) as well as Valencia (41.7%).
The American guard loves to have the ball and execute, mostly after a dribble, by setting up plays for himself. The fact that Green shoots from far out are also important and something that makes life difficult for his opponents since it doesn’t allow them to block him.
Valencia will not be playing in the EuroLeague next season and so now it’s very unlikely that the 26-year-old shooting guard will continue in the club. Despite the Spanish team’s poor course, Green chalked up the best numbers of his career in terms of productivity (14.4 points) and accuracy rates (41.7% in three-point shooting).