We are deep in the depths of the 2021-22 NBA season and one interesting subplot is how many shooters are in season-long slumps right now. These are players that dive or thrive with the long ball. Guys that are always among the league leaders in three-point shooting percentages and have whole game plans made around how to stop their perimeter attacks.
For reference, a good three-point shooter who takes a high volume of attempts should aim to at least hit them at a 37 percent clip, as that is commonly considered a solid mark.
Anything below that coveted mark is inadequate, especially for players who are deemed as shooters. Some of these snipers cashed on sizeable paydays due to their smooth shooting strokes and they are yielding disappointing results.
Without further ado, here are five shooters that are in season-long slumps.
5 NBA sharpshooters in season-long slumps this year: Davis Bertans
The Latvian Laser, Davis Bertans originally got inked to a massive five-year deal worth $80 million by the Washington Wizards. It’s considered a major heist of epic proportions as the shooter forgot seemingly forgot how to shoot immediately after.
This is a career 39.7 percent sniper (in six NBA seasons) who is normally always pacing the league, consistently in the top 10 or top five discussions as one of the best shooters in the association.
Back in the 2019-20 season, Davis averaged a career-high of 15.4 points per game on a scolding hot 42 percent shooting from the great beyond.
Even last season, despite some struggles and inconsistency, he still hit a sweltering 39 percent from long range. It is perplexing to see that his percentages have dipped well below what is considered acceptable for a good NBA marksman.
In 44 games this season, the forward is averaging 5.6 points per game on a miserable 33.6 percent from three. In 34 games with the Wizards prior to being traded to Dallas, the 6’10” forward hit just 35 percent of his deep balls. And since becoming a Mav, that mark has tanked even further to 29.7 percent three-point shooting, which is by far the worst mark of his career.
At 29 years old, in the peak of what should be this shooter’s prime, Davis Bertans is underperforming and could find himself out of the league soon unless he busts the slump.