During training camp, when practices closed with players shooting five shots from each of five spots on the court and then ringing a bell as an incentive if they made at least 20 of 25, being able to knock down threes effectively and consistently was a clear point of emphasis. Now, however, with the Pacers ranking dead-last in 3-point percentage for the month of December and 28th overall, those celebratory chimes have seemingly been replaced by warning alarms.
Just take a look at the team’s five highest-volume shooters. For the season, among the 93 players who have attempted at least 140 threes, Malcolm Brogdon ranks 86th in the league, shooting 31 percent from deep overall and nearly as woefully off the catch (32%) as the dribble (29%).