10 biggest surprises of the early 2016-17 NBA season

https://youtu.be/yFgYrgDjWek

No Threes, No Problem

DeMar DeRozan joined elite company this season. The elitest of the elite, in fact. Michael Jordan. DeRozan scored 30-plus points in eight of his team’s first nine games, becoming the first player to do so since Jordan way back in 1986-87.

DerRozan’s scoring run has been incredible because he’s doing it in such a unique way. In 14 games he’s only attempted 26 threes. A highly unorthodox total for a star wing player, but considering he’s only connected on six of the attempts it’s a wise move.

https://youtu.be/pEKDmW1SkJs

Despite being a shooting guard, DeRozan leads the league in two-point field goal attempts and field goal makes. He’s doing it with the mid-range shot.

DeRozan’s thrown up 156 attempts from mid-range and converted on 47.6 percent of them. He’s also converted on 62.9 percent of his attempts in the restricted area.

One of the most impressive parts about this run is how much of DeRozan’s offense comes off the dribble. Per NBA.com, 52.5% of his shots (12.1 per game) are attempted off the bounce, and he’s converting them at a 48.8 percent clip.

DeRozan is outperforming the max deal he was given this was summer.