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Originally Posted by ChrisWoj
As long as Chauncey Billups continues to get him open looks with some of the best dishes in the NBA right now. He's getting wide open looks thanks to a combination of Billups driving and dishing, and the fact that Sheed does an amazing job rolling back to the top of the key off of picks. He's enjoying himself out there this year, I'm very happy with the way he's played.
-Chris.
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Billups is not the reason Rasheed is shooting well from beyond the three-point stripe (If anything I would give credit to Flip Saunders).
Billups did not all of a sudden become expert at finding Rasheed in the pick and pop (something that certainly was not the case in previous seasons).
Flip needs to be credited for the spacing he creates and the angles at which he has the play ran. He also needs to be credited for giving players like Rasheed the green light to shoot that shot (something he would perhaps be hesitant to or feel guilty about doing under Brown). Flip's willingness to allow Rasheed to practice his 3 point shooting in practice situations both in terms of set plays and individual routine work should also be noted.
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Coach Saunders deserves credit for the manor in which he utilizes Rasheed from behind the arc...
He actually uses Rasheed as a spot up shooter both out of the pick and pop and as a stationary floor spacer. Under Larry, Rasheed shot the bulk of his 3 point shots trailing in transition or on broken plays on which he would independently drift outside. Flip puts Rasheed in situations where he can be successful from three more so then Brown ever did.
Note: Don't forget that Rasheed was one of the leagues best pick and pop players (teamed with Damon Stoudamire) as well as being a far more reliable 3-point shooter in Portland. Billups hitting Rasheed in rhythm is a benefit but so to is Rasheed's threat in that it opens up the floor for Billups to both post and/ or penetrate. Rasheed’s accuracy is racking up assists for Billups as a benefit to him as much as Billups making the rhythm pass benefits Rasheed accuracy (the chicken or the egg).
Lastly...
Rasheed should be given credit for actually making the shots.
47% from downtown
to that.
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