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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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Jun 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the second quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving shoots the ball over another solid mid-range scorer in Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson. Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Kyrie Irving

Cleveland Cavaliers star Kyrie Irving is a great scorer from nearly anywhere on the floor, and his midrange game is no exception. Irving averages 5.5 attempts per game from midrange and converts on 45.8 percent of them — third-best among players with five or more attempts per game per NBA.com’s shot tracking data.

Instead of relying on a height advantage to create space, Irving instead uses his fantastic handle to create looks for himself. Only 25.7 percent of his midrange looks have been assisted per NBA.com’s shot tracking data. His ability to find open space off the dribble allows him to make room for a jumper against taller defenders like Thompson.

Irving does not frequently resort to floaters or fadeaways in the midrange area. However, his beautiful step-back jumper helps him to generate space for in-between shots. There is little a defender can do to stop Kyrie once he has created the space for that shot:

Irving has canned 54.5 percent of his step-back jumpers from inside the arc. That play is just one of the many ways that Kyrie uses his incredible dribbling skills to create open looks. He is a fantastic scorer from all areas of the game, and one of the best midrange players in the NBA.