Melo Effect Part 4 - Shot Selection

     The biggest overall positive for the Rockets as a team since Melo left, is the improvement in shot selection. Carmelo Anthony is known to be one of the greatest mid-range shooters of our generation, but one of the biggest mysteries heading into the season was if he could adjust his shot selection to fit the “Moreyball” philosophies (3’s, layups/duks, free throws). If we take a look at the shot chart for one of Melo’s better games, in which he had 17 points and 7 rebounds, on 57% shooting, you can see that the Rockets took 12 mid-range shots and a lot of little floaters around the basket:

Rockets vs. Bulls Shot Chart

     Even though they won the game, the chart shows that the advantage we once had through Moreyball, was gone. Losing that advantage was one of the biggest reasons, in my opinion, why the Rockets struggled out of the gate. This past couple weeks, the Rockets have started looking like themselves again. They have finally found a rotation that works, and everyone looks comfortable out on the court. The signature moment of their past run has been the game vs the Wizards where they broke the record for most 3-pointers made in a game, with 26. Here is the shot chart from that game: 

Rockets vs. Wizards Shot Chart

     The chart shows that they only took one mid-range shot the entire game, and only one floater around the basket. This is more like what Morey envisioned the chart looking like and getting back to this Moreyball shot selection is one of the biggest reasons why we have been streaking lately. I believe that removing Melo from the equation is the prime reason why we were able to cut out the mid-range shots and gain back our Moreyball advantage through shot selection.