If you follow basketball at all, you have probably heard some announcer say, “the lost art of the mid-range” or something to that effect. There’s a good reason for that mantra. In general, mid-range shots are inefficient shots, and as more coaches have learned that over the past 10 or so years, those possessions have transformed into increased 3-pointers and attempts around the rim.
There’s enough data available now through any number of websites that concludes what are and aren’t effective shots on offense. The consensus is that the best shots in basketball are layups (or anything within about four feet from the rim) and catch and shoot threes.