Boston Celtics Must Improve Three Point Shooting

Despite establishing a phenomenal offensive system that immediately yielded results with an under talented team, the Boston Celtics still struggled tremendously in one of the most important offensive categories: three point shooting.

The Celtics shot the three ball at a rate of 32.7% and there are just three other teams that had a worse mark. Those struggles are amplified considering the Celtics rank 13th with 24.6 three point attempts per game. Brad Stevens runs a system that will always depend on three point shooting and with the way the league is trending it will only become more and more important.

Of the top 10 three point shooting teams (based on percentage) every single one of the made the post season. The eventual NBA champions ranked number 1 in three point shooting and their counterpart, the Cleveland Cavaliers, ranked 5th. Small ball is taking over the NBA and thanks to Stevens the Celtics should not fall behind.

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts next to Cleveland Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (5) in the closing seconds of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics were a respectable offensive team ranking 13th with 101.4 points per game but they need to be better if they are going to keep pace with an eastern conference that has two of its biggest stars in Paul George and Chris Bosh returning.

One benefit of being one of the bottom dwellers in three point field goal percentage is the team has all kinds of room to improve. From top to bottom, the Celtics had too many players who under performed form beyond the arc and most of them should be improved.

Jared Sullinger, Jae Crowder and Evan Turner were all key portions of the offense last year and every one of them shot the three ball under 30%. While Turner may see his role reduced the other two may see their roles increased. Jae Crowder will be one of the more important players with no depth behind him and Sullinger will need to step up or he will also lose his role.

Sullinger is at a point in his career where he should be peaking. He has always been a three point threat but it is now or never for him to become a true factor from beyond the arc. Sullinger has had plenty of time to get used to Stevens’ offensive system and there is simply no reason for him to continue to shoot under 30%. If Sullinger does not improve his percentage he will likely be demoted to the bench.

Jae Crowder also struggled but now that he gets a full offseason working in the offense he should be much more comfortabe shooting the ball. Crowder was often seen taking bad or contested shots and if he allows Stevens’ system to create his open looks then his shooting percentage should sky rocket.

Feb 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) high fives guard Evan Turner (11) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Celtics defeats the Suns 115-110. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reducing Evan turner’s role alone should improve his percentage. Turner often put too much on his shoulders and in attempting to carry the offense took way too many ill advised shots. Taking away Turner’s volume will both improve his personal percentage and it will prevent him from lowering the overall team’s percentage.

All three of these guys are in great positions to improve their three point shooting and they may not even be the biggest factor in improving the team’s percentage. Marcus Smart is also expected to have an increased offensive role this season and with the improvement he had last season there is good reason to believe he will keep trending in the right direction.

Smart broke 30% from three for the first time in his career in his rookie campaign and if the young guard takes the offensive leap the team is hoping for then he may begin to approach 35% shooting. The biggest thing that can benefit Smart is added stability. Smart will be more confident in the starting unit if it avoids being a revolving door of players.

Smart will establish better chemistry with his teammates and he understands that the team needs him to be relevant on the offensive end. The only problem with Smart is his production in college suggests there is a chance he will regress. However, with Stevens guiding him, Smart can finally become the point guard the Celtics need on the offensive end.

Apr 10, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) shoots in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The last edge that should drastically improve the Celtics’ three point shooting is R.J Hunter. Hunter may not have that large of an impact depending on how many minutes he earns but his range and natural shooting stroke is exactly what the Celtics need on the wing.

Hunter has the potential to be the best three point shooter on the Celtics and he has proven that he can do it at incredibly high volumes. In his second year at Georgia State Hunter averaged 7.7 three point attempts per game and he hit them at an incredible rate of 39.5%. Hunter will never have that volume in his rookie season but Stevens’ system could increase his efficiency. If Hunter can have an impact shooting the three ball then Stevens will have no choice other than to give him plenty of minutes.

The Celtics have plenty of individuals that should improve their shooting but it should also improve as an overall unit. Stevens will have more stability than he’s ever had in his career and he should have the offense firing on all cylinders. Stevens will only play the players that fully buy into his system and his system creates enough open shots to improve anyone’s efficiency.

The Celtics are hoping to take another step forward in their rebuild this season and improving their three point shooting is the number one thing that they can do to elevate their offense.

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