Mavericks: Evaluating changes Tim Hardaway Jr. has made to his game this year

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Dallas Mavericks Tim Hardaway Jr. (Photo by Lizzy Barrett/Getty Images) /

More corner threes

Fans know the league is prioritizing dunks and 3-pointers. Analytically speaking, they are the most efficient shots.

Digging in further, players sink corner threes more frequently than above the break tries. Looking at the NBA Stats shot zones, the highest league average is the left corner at 39.7 percent. Then, the right corner at 37.8 percent. The average overall 3-point percentage is 35.7 according to Basketball-Reference.

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Tim Hardaway Jr. is taking advantage of this. Over the last three seasons, he averages 7.3 3-point attempts per game. Before this year, 12.0 percent of those tries were corner threes. This season, 23.7 percent have come from those areas with Hardaway Jr. is shooting an incredible 46.3 percent.

According to ESPN, THJ is the NBA’s most efficient 3-point shooter from the right corner this season. He has connected on 35 of his 67 attempts from this shot zone or 52.2 percent. During the 2017-2018 season, Hardaway Jr. took just 28 tries from the right corner.

The Mavericks have embraced getting him corner 3-point attempts. Coach Rick Carlisle is scheming to get Tim Hardaway Jr. open off Luka Doncic drives. The 28-year-old is spotting up in the right corner more. Those easier shots have improved his 3-point percentage dramatically.

Next: Fewer shot attempts

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