The 10 Best Midrange Scorers In The NBA

Mar 23, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball over Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball over Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
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December 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) shoots against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul has mastered the art of finding space for his shot in the mid-range game. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

6. Chris Paul

The Los Angeles Clippers have relied on the midrange excellence of Chris Paul for a while now, and this year is no different. Paul is averaging 4.8 attempts per game from the midrange, the fewest of anyone on this list. However, he is also shooting a stellar 47.3 percent on those looks. More remarkably, he has been assisted on a paltry 7.1 percent of those shots this season per NBA.com.

Much of Paul’s scoring comes from his incredible pull-up jump shot. He might not have the flashy handles of Kyrie Irving or Steph Curry, but arguably no one is able to dribble their way into good shots as effectively as Chris Paul. When he does decide to show off a little, that spells trouble for his opponents:

Thirty-three of Chris Paul’s 70 makes in the midrange area have been pull-up jump shots per NBA.com’s shot tracking data. Additionally, Paul has connected on 58.1 percent of those pull-up attempts.

Few players can prevent him from finding an opening for that shot. Once he has dribbled his way into space, Paul is deadly from midrange. He might not take as many shots as some of these other players, but Chris Paul continues to be lethal in the midrange game.