I feel spoiled that we are getting this much consistent and high quality content from Ben.

It's like ballet. He has such great rhythm on his shot. Really loved this breakdown

What I like the most about KD is how he learned to play off the ball. He doesn't dribble the ball to death to score. He can give it away,find an opening,pop out,get the ball and then score. Or he can just bring the ball down the court and score on isos. Best scoring forward ever. At the end of the clock,in theory at least you can try to make LeBron a shooter so he doesn't kill you. He can be a great shooter but he's not known as a great shooter. With KD there is nothing to take away. Iso 3 ? Got it. Catch and shoot 3 ? Got it . Any kind of mid range shot,guarded or not ? Easy ? Drive to the basket and lay it over somebody ? Easy. Floater ? Yes. Dunk it on somebody ? Also got it. And he also turned himself into a good passer. Seriously nothing to take away...

Might also argue that it helps with durability too. Less attempts against a big in the paint and hits taken, probably increases durability. Might help lower variance in shots as players get tired since they're shooting closer to the hoop.

"James Harden, you've been averaging almost 10 assists a game this game. How do you do it?" "I don't know, I just pass the ball to Kevin Durant."

Can we talk about demar went from being an underperformer in the clutch to arguably being the clutchest? Like I feel like this is something we need to talk about lmao what massive improvement

Would imagine there\s less variance in mid range accuracy from game to game vs 3pt shooting. Which may help your team win more consistently from game to game.

the amount of research and footage you must've gone through for a sub-8-minute video is insane. that side by side derozan/mj alone must've taken so long to make. huge kudos to you, thank you as always for the insanely high quality of your content

to me the most important shot is still the midrange...when its playoff time, thats what great defenses tend to give up

Derozan was killing it from the midrange with the Spurs also. he's just getting more recognition because of the bigger Chicago market, and I'm glad he is. He was snubbed of a few All-Star nominations in San Antonio

"No reliable stat ever said the mid-range was inefficient they just said the mid-range was inefficient for weak shooter." That's what the anti-analytics always ignored about mid range data and it's pissing me off. Perfect example for that is Andrew Wiggins his time in Minny his known as an inefficient chucker and Minny fans dreaded when takes long twos. And as his time in GSW goes on he has become one of the premier 3&D players.

The Michael Jordan fadeaway is so pretty, it belongs in a museum. Glad to see the middie is still alive in a league full of 3-point shooters.

Great breakdown as always. Midrange isn't dead when you got special players like KD or DeMar!!

When you look at the playoffs and teams have scouted each other, it's the midrange playmaking that makes the difference.

crazy that KD tore his achilles as a 26/6/5 player and came back after as a 30/8/6 a game player and has put the nets first in the conference. people were talking like if KD could come back 80% of what he was, the nets have a chance, but he’s arguably a better player than he’s ever been before

DeMar and KD grew up when mid-range was normal. The league is all about 3 point shooting and guarding the 3 point line. This generation isn't used to guarding players with the mid bag

I used to be a diehard basketball fan and don't really watch games anymore. But I still appreciate these videos. I feel like the kid in class who is nodding along with the teacher but is trying to decipher all the stats and numbers.

Derozan has been phenomenal for Chicago

I love love love breakdowns. I grew up with football but you and other UKpostsrs have really helped me see the little stuff. Keep up the phenomenal work.

I appreciate you putting up so much content lately, Ben! Your channel has been so educational. I'm just an nba fan who doesn't fully understand/play basketball, and I learn a ton from you. Thanks so much

I remember how much I missed this type of content in the couple months you werent posting. Thank you for blessing us with your videos!

Great analysis. Thank you! Mid range shooting is a powerful weapon by those who are proficient at it. Always has been, always will be.

u been posting consistently bro. keep it up 🐐

CP3 ‘s another great mid range shooter. I’m surprised anytime those 3 players misses the shot.

You make me enjoy watching basketball more than I already did! Love your content and passion for basketball.

After Derozan's game tonight this video is significantly more relevant.

Something about these videos is so entrancing. Keep up the great work man. Have a great day.

Derozan midrange move is so beautiful he’s closest to Kobe and Jordan KD is just different

this next generation of hoopers are so blessed to have so much high quality info at their fingertips. thx for the content and wishing you & everyone a safe holiday season.

Excellent vid😁the mid range game can be such poetry in motion and also be very nasty and gritty at the same time, love it

Thank you Ben for providing an objective and unbiased breakdown on the midrange.

Watching Ben's content is such a treat. You either learn a lot or just get fckin mesmerized by the amazing content done by him.

I love this channel, just excellent content!!

How perfectly time this video is, where 2 days later Demar scores 38 including a game winner without taking a single 3!

I hope you have great success my dude. Your basketball content is top-notch.

So what I’ve gathered is that when going into the 4th of close games, I should try to side bet on the Bulls with my friend.

Wow, you read my mind.. About a week or two ago I actually thought about suggesting a video about whether the midrange shot is coming back. Bulls, Lakers, Clippers along others seem to have included midrange shots a lot more this season. The Rockets (former) / Warriors / Bucks style of shooting only 3's or at the rim spread to the whole league over the last few years, but lately it feels like some teams are going towards finding styles that fit them better. Although efficiency wise we know 3's and lay-ups are the best. Great content as always.

Was listening to KOC’s podcast and thought that smooth silky voice sounds familiar! Love your work! Best content in basketball.

Lolol the block at 0:06 where Durant gets zero ball and 100% hand hahah. In all seriousness great video! Love how much game footage you work into these analyses which makes it so fun

Not only has he shot 53% from midrange but he's done it on 281 attempts in only 27 games. That would put him on pace for 853 midrange shots in a season which is way more than anyone else on the list at 0:59

Very cool. I was hoping you would do this exact video on these exact two playerz. Wow!!!

Solid vid. Time for an analysis on Jokic's complete offensive dominance this season and much improved defence I'd say.

Thanks for the vid

DeRozan is the shinning example of how advanced stats have somewhat ruined basketball. While everyone else in the league is worried about trying to recreate The Warriors Dynasty, DeRozan has just been over here for a decade being like “ya’ll need someone to make a shot or what?” The most valuable shot in basketball, particularly late in games, is the shot that goes in.

Great stuff as always, and loved your appearance on The Void with KOC this week. I hope you get further exposure for future appearances on podcasts!

Durant - Proving he's the Best Scorer in the game and arguably the Best Overall Player in the NBA. DeRozan - Finally getting the mid-range respect he deserves. He's been outstanding. Improves year after year.

Ben was sick having to give KD credit lmao

Beautiful Illustration. Dignified and captures their best attributes.

Considering Michael Jordan is still acknowledged as the greatest of all time and was a midrange killer, there's no way you'll ever convince me that the midrange isn't needed or vital

This is how I've always played video games. Try for the layup/dunk, kick for the open 3, and when that's covered, get an open pull up midrange J. Glad to see there is analytical support.

Rip Hamilton would be so pleased by this video. When it comes to midrange, he's one of the best too.

Great Analysis!!!

Thank you for this

Love these videos

I'm always having a great day when I get to hear Ben Taylor's voice in a new video.

Nice to finally see you over on @The Ringer!

A video of two of my favorite players in da league?? Had to watch!

Demar having a Jordanesque midrange game is so true. Also, the midrange game is often beautiful. Glad it’s getting some love.

Great job as always. I think ppl will start to see that curry and lillard are rare and not something you can duplicate. Like you said its better for ok shooters to hit that spot up 3. But its looking like more stars are going back to the midrange and post moves. Paul, durant, and damar are having success and i hope it spreads. Lebron has been feasting in the high post as well

I would say this but KD will be having his second 50-40-90 season if he keeps this up.

@00:20 video game level? They make players miss in those games. This man is above video game levels

Love your breakdowns and that mj and demar was crazy but scary accurate

great vid you got me thinking im in.

And cp and book. It's amazing to watch them all . I got a new found respect for demar this yr as a bulls fan

Chris Paul, healthy Kawhi Leonard are another good examples of that. Good midrange will always be invaluable tool, especially towards late stages of the careers.

"When you're closer to the basket, it's easier for your shots to go in" - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and no I'm not joking Steph Curry is an outlier, the supreme emperor shooter of all time. He combines efficiency, volume, and increased point value into one unique package that's entirely based on skill. Not every player can play like him, and not every team can have a player like him either. Teams are starting to realize that chasing that dragon is futile. Midrange scoring gives greater versatility (much more space inside the arc to create an open or open enough shot), as well as easier shots, just like Kareem said. Easier shots mean less variance in scoring output, easier shots mean less cold games, easier shots mean that developing a player takes practice time away from chucking the long ball and puts time towards developing your own unique moves and playstyle while still being able to develop offensive acumen in the midrange. Offensive rhythm and consistency are, in my opinion, the key to winning basketball games. If you score 2 points _every_single_time_ your team gets the ball, congratulations, you're going to win the game. That philosophy has yet to be disproven. That's why rebounding into transition scoring is the first step to building a winning basketball team, because within 10 seconds AT MOST of possession, your team has scored, as opposed to playing in the half court using twice as much game time to score points.

Manufacture at will. That's the true value of the midrange shot. A good midrange shooter can get those looks pretty much on demand in a way a 3pt or rim specialist can' t. Pretty valuable specially in the playoffs. Much less variance too. Also more valuable in the post season

A lot of championship teams always has a mid range finisher lucky for Brooklyn they have another one in kyrie. So that's why Milwaukee was in a bad way last playoffs in the first few games. Ky n KD was killing them from the mid range while Milwaukee was shooting themselves on a hole from the misses from 3

The next evolution of the game is utilizing all 3 levels as the norms of offensive scheme. (3s/mid/paint)

I just always love your videos man. I wish other sports had analysis like this. Also I think it’s interesting Durant gets this much value from the midrange given how in general it is a low efficiency shot attempt. The utility in pick and roll and isolation is still great though, adds a lot of resilience to his scoring. I still feel like you have to be so good at hitting midrange shots to make a living in that range that it’s not a good idea for the vast majority of players.

When bulls fans werent happy with getting demar I was confused. This man is so fun to watch. Poetry in motion.

Notice how the examples of good defense working against Durant are all facing Golden State. Just subtly reminding us how unfair that team was.

These videos so damn fire

Gun be exciting. Would've wished for the Jokic rant to come as soon as possible, but I'm sure as hell happy about this .

Plz make a video on what shooters can do on the court aside from "passive" shooting(like catch and shoot). Like cuts, off-ball movements, setting the screens, etc.

Good to see the mid range ain’t dead

Finally what i was looking for

I love how often the video uploads are happening! This is amaaaaaaazing!!!!!

This is so much better than those pointless fake debates on ESPN .... Great work . Grats bro

D Book and CP3 put on a mid-range clinic in last year's playoffs as well. Wouldn't want to forget them too

Love this! Basketball needs the midrange. Analytics has made the game stagnant because the 3 is overvalued. Not everyone is Steph.

🌝 Top two scorer of all time ! Most versatile scorer ever ! 🌝

can't wait for kawhi to come comeback and have the nba midrange trinity back hoopin

never forget the middy! 🏀🏀💯💪how many clutch middy's have Jordan,kobe,kd,cp3 etc I could go on all day a out this but I think I made my point lol

Bro you’re the best basketball page on here

That "least effective shot" argument is totally broken if you're a mid-range god... and it's specially better when KD, Demar and CP3 make it against Daryll Morey's sixers...

A sleeper this season who’s mid range has been deadly is Seth Curry.

It’s really not rocket science almost all the greatest players of all time we’re master chefs from the midrange. In the post season it becomes harder to hit 3’s, with the uptick of physicality, especially in the finals. It also becomes harder to just go to the rim. So a player has to be a great player in the midrange if he wants to maintain success in the post season as well as the finals. Having a great midrange game opens up the driving lanes and 3 point opportunities from yourself and teammates. Jordan Bird Kareem Lebron Durant Melo Hakeem I could go on and on All great midrange players That’s why it’s called a 3 level scorer

If DeMar and Kevin are mid-range kings, that makes LaMarcus Aldridge as mid-range demigod. Although LA is already out in the league in season or two.

I love the mid range I never cared for 3’s I can move around without exhausting myself at the middy

Amazing breakdown. Long live the mid range

4:06 glad to see Vitaly Potapenko getting his respect

DeRozan is an ALL-STAR par excellente'. What he does, including the slam dunk, he does it with grace and ease!

6:39 one of the most skilled things i've ever seen

B. Ingram & CP3 nasty in the mid range too. Honorable mention to DeAngelo Russell.

Great video on the lost art of mid range shooting.

Best channel on UKposts

Truely the last minutes of the game defines the skill and talent of a player. Will they keep it up and make it to the finals? Hoping both of them will have a great run for the playoffs 🙏

Turns out being able to rise up and shoot over nearly any defender in the league is op, even from the least efficient spots on the court.

The bass drop at the end of every podcast gets me so hyped but the podcast theme also sounds kinda "christmasy" this month lol