Atlanta Hawks: 5 goals for Kent Bazemore in 2017-18
5. Convert 150 shots from 3-point range
Nearly 31 percent of the total shots taken by the Hawks last season came from beyond the arc, a clear indication any player on the floor is expected to provide spacing within the offense.
The Hawks launched 26.2 shots from 3-point range per game last season, resulting in an increased emphasis on long range acumen.
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Kent Bazemore has been a viable shooter from downtown, connecting 201 times over the past two seasons, but for him to lock down the starting shooting guard position, even more conversions are going to be necessary.
No player on the Hawks’ roster managed to connect on 150 shots from 3-point range last season, but with a much greater distribution of long range shooting, it wasn’t exactly a necessity.
The losses of Tim Hardaway Jr., Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver and Thabo Sefolosha eliminate 330 of their 729 makes from 3-point range — nearly 45 percent of the total conversions.
Bazemore was essentially an average 3-point shooter last season, connecting 92 times at a 34.6 percent clip.
For the Hawks’ offense to develop into any type of a threat, Bazemore must provide spacing and punish any opponents that mistakenly provide him with an open look on the perimeter.