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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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Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors is known for being a 3-point marksman, but his jumpers from inside the arc can be just as deadly. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Klay Thompson

The Golden State Warriors are one of the teams on the forefront of the three-point revolution, but that has not stopped Klay Thompson from being effective in the mid-range game. Thompson averages 5.0 midrange shots per game according to NBA.com, second-fewest on this list.

However, he has been on fire from that range, hitting 49.4 percent of his midrange looks — best in the NBA among players averaging five or more midrange shots per game.

Thompson is a pure shooter and his midrange game reflects that. Klay has been assisted on 78.0 percent of his midrange looks. He does not have the ball-handling ability of most of the guards on this list, nor the post-up or face-up skills of the big men. Instead, his midrange game is driven by the same force that drives his offense as a whole.

His teammates are clearly a factor in his scoring ability, but few players can match Klay’s picture-perfect jump shot. Even fewer players can work around screens to get open and then immediately rise and fire as effectively as Thompson can. Klay might not have the varied midrange repertoire of some other players on this list, but few can argue with the results.