Con: Erratic Jump Shot
The key to the success of a motion offense is being able to hold the opposition accountable for lackadaisical defense. Creating penetration is the most efficient way to score, but being able to knock down open shots is vital to creating space.
For as sensational as Rose is at attacking off the bounce and finishing at the rim, he’s been just as poor at knocking down open jump shots.
Rose is currently shooting 25.9 percent on 3-point field goal attempts and 35.5 percent on 62 midrange shot attempts. He’s passing up open jump shots for drives to the lane, which may work, but also complicate what should be an easy possession.
Thankfully, Rose acknowledged this flaw and has pledged to work at it and improve upon it.
Rose’s inability to knock down the 3-ball has hurt his individual game and occasionally stunted the growth of New York’s offense. He doesn’t need to be Stephen Curry, but he must be able to keep the defense honest if his dribble penetration is to maintain its value.
Rose is a career 81.5 percent free throw shooter who’s shooting 88.5 percent in 2016-17, but that doesn’t change the fact he’s erratic from midrange and beyond the arc.