The mid-range game has emerged as one of the most important aspects of any player’s arsenal. Having a mid-range shot can now pretty much elevate an average stud to an elite offensive star.
However, as Houston Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni explains, the mid-range shot is just not for everyone. This is especially true for Rockets rookie Gary Clark, who has actually yet to take a mid-range jumper all season long.
Clark, an undrafted rookie coming out of the University of Cincinnati, has been a good fit with the D’Antoni’s gung-ho approach thus far. He has established himself as somewhat of a sharpshooter from deep, but pretty much nothing more.
In 18 appearances for the Rockets this season, Clark is averaging 3.7 shot attempts per ballgame — 3.4 of which have come from rainbow territory.
Coach D’Antoni appears to be happy with Clark’s production thus far, stating that he ought to stick to what he knows best.
“Gotta love it, because he’s doing the right thing,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said, via Fred Katz of The Athletic. “Just don’t make him do it. Don’t you guys write, ‘Hey, he should be taking mid-range,’ because he shouldn’t.”
As D’Antoni explained, he is delighted with how Clark has performed the role he has been asked to take on. For now though, it is clear that the Rockets intend to use him strictly as a spot-up shooter from deep, so don’t expect to see the development of his mid-range game anytime soon.
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