Overview:One of the games top spot up shooters. Pretty average in terms of strength, athleticism and wingspan for his position, but has good size for a shooting specialist. Has proven himself to be one of the most efficient spot up shooters in the NBA. Saw his minutes drop after being traded in 2008, but became much more efficient under Jerry Sloan. Possesses one of the purest strokes in the game. Not a factor in many other ways, but gives a better effort defensive and shows more hustle than most other specialists. Had a very nice four year career at Creighton. Improved his numbers in each of his collegiate seasons. Garnered the Missouri Valley Conference Most Valuable Player Award as a junior and senior. Has always been a dominant shooter, but was able to showcase some other skills on the collegiate level. Garnered a spot late in the second round as a shooting specialist and turned out to be a steal. Had a tremendously productive four year stint with the 76ers before being traded in his fifth year to the Jazz. Regarded as one of the games best specialists. Younger brothers Klayton, Kaleb, and Kirk have, are, or will be Division I basketball players.
Offense: A shooting specialist that isnt asked to do much else. Gets the vast majority of his shots spotting up, coming off of screens, and spreading the floor in transition. Has a tremendous outside shot. Textbook form. Great touch. Loves to shoot the three ball. Capable of knocking it down with a hand in his face, but is simply lights out when hes unguarded. One of the games best catch and shoot players. Has been running off of screens and floating to the open spot on the perimeter his whole career. Instinctively gets open as the play develops. Very good at coming off screens, but has trouble being effective against quicker guards who can close him out quickly and get a hand in his face. Has become a great midrange shooter in the flex offense now too. Will knock down jump shots from all over the place with consistency. Doesnt even try to get shots up at the rim. Will get an occasional wide open look off a cut, but that just isnt his game. 91% of his shots come off jumpers, as opposed to 9% at the rim. Always pulls up when he attacks off the dribble, and wont drive all the way. Usually only puts the ball on the floor when his man closes out recklessly. Will really struggle when hes asked to finish at the rim or isnt surrounded by players who can draw help defenders. Makes smart passes and doesnt turn the ball over often for obvious reasons. Has gone through some surprising slumps, but remains a very good option as a shooter off the bench. One of the best free throw shooters in the NBA at over 91%.
Defense: A well below average defender who makes an effort, but lacks the physical tools to be effective. Doesnt have the lateral quickness to stay in front of most players at his position. Gets beaten to the rim regularly. Will work hard to close out shooters, but isnt quick enough to always contest the shot. Will dig down into the post to try to get strips and try to blow through screens. Tends to work himself out of position by being too aggressive with the way he helps over the course of a play, compounding his problems. Gets an occasional steal because of how hard he works. Doesnt contribute much in the rebounding department. Does his best to be effective, and has improved somewhat playing in Utah, but is very limited by his athleticism.
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