Pistons: 3 goals for Killian Hayes in his return to action
By Duncan Smith
Goal No. 3: Take some catch and shoot 3s
One of the points of intrigue Hayes brought with him into the NBA is his step-back jump shot. It’s certainly a viable tool in the NBA, but it seems more like his default shot of choice, rather than a situational weapon he deploys to take advantage of defenders playing too closely.
The step-back is great when defenders fear your shot and your drive to the degree where they play you too closely. Luka Doncic is a decent example because while he’s not a top-tier shooter yet, his passing vision is among the best in the league. Defenses see him as a virtually unstoppable threat so they play him closely, and the step-back becomes a method of getting space to take a shot.
Defenses don’t fear Hayes in the same way, so the step-back is almost an affectation or a crutch for him rather than a tool of necessity. He’s 1-of-17 this season on jumpers off the dribble. Not all of them are step-backs, but some are, and it illustrates his struggles in this regard.
On the other hand, he’s 4-of-13 on catch-and-shoot jumpers. It’s a tiny sample, certainly, but that’s the category of shot where he will be able to string together some success.