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The 10 Best Midrange Scorers In The NBA

By Nicholas Agar-Johnson

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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Dec 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) shoots and scores a basket against the Los Angeles Lakers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 113-80. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nobody in the NBA can score in the mid-range as effectively as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan. Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

1. DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors is the best midrange scorer in the NBA and it would be difficult to argue otherwise. DeRozan leads the NBA with 10.0 midrange attempts per game. The gap between DeRozan and Anthony Davis is almost as large as the gap between Davis and seventh-ranked Andrew Wiggins.

DeRozan has matched his high frequency by making 43.3 percent of those midrange looks. For reference, his 319 midrange attempts out-pace an entire NBA team — the Houston Rockets have attempted 248 midrange shots this season.

DeRozan also creates the vast majority of his midrange looks by himself. Just

23.2 percent

of his midrange baskets have been assisted this season. His impeccable footwork in the post and varied repertoire is reminiscent of his idol Kobe Bryant. Kobe’s

influence

can be seen in nearly every shot DeMar takes. His 37-point outburst against the Thunder earlier this season was a midrange clinic:

DeMar has essentially every midrange shot in his arsenal. He has the pull-up jumper down, making 51.4 percent of his 144 pull-ups inside the arc. He has the regular fadeaway and has knocked 10 of his 16 attempts. The step-back is there too–DeMar has made 12 of 24 of those inside the arc.

His turnaround jumper is a thing of beauty, and he has made 19 of 29 turnarounds this year. He can even mix and match his various midrange shots–DeMar has converted 14 of his 27 turnaround fadeaways as well.

Next: 2016-17 NBA Power Rankings: Week 10

The NBA has many great midrange scorers, but none of them can match the volume or skill-set of DeMar DeRozan. At just 27 years old, DeRozan may reign as the king of the midrange game for many years to come.