Nearly two decades ago, 15-year NBA veteran guard of the then Seattle Supersonics (now Oklahoma City Thunder), Philadelphia 76ers, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics Dana Barros had a streak of 89 straight games of hitting a three-point field goal. The streak lasted from Dec. 23, 1994 to Jan. 10, 1996. This past Friday night, one of the best shooters in the league today surpassed his record.
With his first connection from three-point range at the 5:30 mark of the first quarter in s 108-89 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers (6-13), Atlanta Hawks (11-10) swingman Kyle Korver, who had 10 points on 4 for 6 from the field, including going 2 for 3 from behind the three-point line, hit a three-pointer for the 90th consecutive game, surpassing Barros' record.
He also surpassed during this streak former NBA guard Michael Adams, who made a three-pointer in 79 straight games; Former Orlando Magic and Phoenix Suns' swingman and current NBATV analyst Dennis Scottt, who made a three-pointer 78 straight games and Indiana Pacers Hall of Fame guard and current NBA on TNT color analyst Reggie Miller, who had 68 consecutive games with a three-point connection.
To put this amazing streak of Korver's in persepctive, which started on Nov. 4, 2012 to this past Friday, Korver shattered the Hawks' team record for a three-pointer made in consecutive games, which was 42.
During this streak, the 11-year veteran of Creighton, has gone 235 out of 502 from three-point range, a percentage of 46.8 percent. The former 2nd round pick, 51st overall has averaged 11.3 points per contest during this streak. Maybe the most important statistics during this streak that Korver mentioned after the game on Friday night is the Hawks' 51-39 during this stretch.
"I really view this as a team streak," Korver said after the game.
"I'm not out there creating these shots. I got teammates setting screens and passing me the ball. They were all pulling for me in this. This streak meant a lot of people in different ways."
Korver's accomplishment is a great example of what it means to have developed an amazing skill, shooting the ball and using that skill to build a long career that has him continue to play.
A career that took him from Sixers for five seasons, three seasons with the Utah Jazz, two seasons with the Chicago Bulls and the last two seasons with the Hawks. This off-season, he signed a new four-year $24 million contract and his shooting has allowed the likes of starting center Al Horford and starting power forward Paul Milsap the ability to operate inside as well as starting guard Jeff Teague to operate the Hawks offense on the perimeter.
On top of that, Korver's streak is an example of what hard work and committment to get better at one's craft can lead to.
When you are a late second round pick like Korver was, you may have only one shot to prove that you belong. His dedication to become one of the best three-point shooters in the game has allowed him the chance to not only play, but be a major part of the teams he has played on.
"The NBA is the best of the best. The NBA has been going on for a long time, so anytime you have the opportunity to be part of a record is a really special thing. I don't take it for granted," Korver, who has been part of the playoffs teams the last eight seasons, said after the game last Friday.
Korver's amazing streak has been truly amazing. It is one thing to have a great night of shooting the ball. Any player, especially in the pros has one of those amazing nights. It is the players, who put in the time and committment to become great at their craft that give themselves a chance to make history that Korver did this past Friday. What it also takes is having teammates that believe in you and appreciate and respect the great skill that Korver has and will do the little things like setting great screens to get you open so that amazing skill can be put on display.
How long this streak will last, nobody knows. What is very clear is that Korver has shown how great of a shooter he has made himself into. How much respect his teammates have for the great skill he puts on display night in and night out. More than anything, Korver's ability to shoot the ball, especially for long range makes the other player's ability to perform on the floor easier and the chances of winning that much higher.
Information, statistics and quotes are courtesy of 12/6/13 7:30 p.m. contest between the Cleveland Cavaliers versus Atlanta Hawks on Sports South with Bob Rathbun and Dominique Wilkins; 12/7/13 2 a.m. edition of NBATV's "Gametime" presented by State Farm with Vince Cellini, Steve Smith and Mike Fratello; en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Barros.
No comments:
Post a Comment