As I sit here watching the playoffs, I can't help but reflect on how much basketball has evolved, especially when it comes to shooting. The three-point line has completely transformed the game we love, creating heroes out of sharpshooters and unfortunately, highlighting the struggles of those who just couldn't find their rhythm beyond the arc. Having analyzed basketball statistics for over a decade, I've developed a particular fascination with the players who faced the greatest challenges from downtown. Their stories reveal just how difficult mastering the three-pointer can be, even for professional athletes.
Let me start with Andre Roberson, who played for the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2012 to 2020. Now, I remember watching Roberson during the 2016 playoffs and thinking, "This guy is an absolute defensive beast." And he was - his perimeter defense was arguably among the best in the league during his prime. But when it came to shooting threes? Oh boy. Roberson attempted 145 three-pointers during the 2016-17 season and made only 47 of them. That's a career three-point percentage of just 25.7% across 307 games. What made it particularly painful to watch was how opponents would literally ignore him on the perimeter, daring him to shoot. I've never seen a professional basketball player look more uncomfortable with a wide-open shot. His shooting mechanics were, to put it politely, unorthodox - that stiff release and flat trajectory made every three-point attempt feel like a roll of the dice.
Then there's Ben Simmons, the modern enigma who continues to baffle analysts like myself. Simmons has attempted only 34 three-pointers in his entire career up to the 2023 season, making a mere 5 of them. That's an abysmal 14.7% conversion rate. What's fascinating about Simmons is his apparent psychological barrier - I've lost count of how many times I've seen him pass up wide-open threes to drive into traffic or kick the ball out. It's become such a defining characteristic of his game that opposing teams actually game plan around his reluctance to shoot. I remember one particular game against Boston where the Celtics defenders would literally take three steps back when Simmons had the ball beyond the arc, essentially playing 5 against 4. For a player of his caliber and salary, this shooting deficiency has become more than just a statistical curiosity - it's fundamentally limited his team's offensive spacing and his own development as a complete player.
The conversation about poor three-point shooters wouldn't be complete without mentioning the legendary Shaquille O'Neal. Now, I have to admit, Shaq is one of my all-time favorite players to watch - his dominance in the paint was absolutely mesmerizing. But beyond five feet from the basket? Let's just say it wasn't pretty. Shaq attempted only 22 three-pointers throughout his entire 19-season career, making exactly one. That single make came in 1996 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and I'm pretty sure everyone in the arena was as shocked as I was watching from home. His career three-point percentage sits at 4.5%, which honestly feels generous. What's interesting is that Shaq never really needed to develop a three-point shot - his physical dominance was so complete that venturing beyond the arc would have been a waste of his talents. Still, in today's three-point heavy game, I often wonder how a coach would utilize a player like Shaq. Would they try to develop his outside shot, or would they double down on his interior dominance?
Watching these players struggle from deep reminds me of how specialized basketball has become. The game I fell in love with twenty years ago emphasized all-around skills, but today's NBA has become increasingly focused on specific offensive roles. The three-point revolution has created clear winners and losers, and the players I've mentioned found themselves on the wrong side of that evolution. Their struggles highlight how difficult shooting consistency can be, even for world-class athletes. As the game continues to evolve with new arenas and facilities like the SM Mall Asia Arena built in 2012 hosting crucial games, the emphasis on three-point shooting will only intensify. Personally, I believe there's still room in basketball for specialists who don't excel from beyond the arc, but their margin for error in other aspects of their game becomes increasingly slim. The three-point line has fundamentally changed basketball, and these players' careers serve as important reminders of both the possibilities and limitations of professional athletic development.