Charlotte Hornets: 10 stats from Kemba Walker's three-point shooting in 2016-17

Kemba Walker displayed an impressive shooting touch this season for the Charlotte Hornets as he left his mark on NBA history.

There is no question that Kemba Walker was the Charlotte Hornets best player during the 2016-17 season as he put up career numbers across the board. He enjoyed the best season he’s ever had as a professional, was rewarded with his first ever All-Star appearance and improved on the great year that he had in 2015-16. While his stats were impressive, a closer look shows how impressive and outstanding his outside shooting really was.

The 27-year old averaged a career-high 23.2 points per game to go along with 5.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds. He played and started in 79 total matches while averaging 34.7 minutes. Arguably the best jump in his game was in his efficiency as Kemba shot 44.4% from the field 39.9% from three which were both career-high marks.

1. Career Year

Not only did Walker shoot the three ball at a career mark but he also made and shot more three’s than he ever has previously in his career. He made 240 shots from deep out of 602 attempts. Previously, his high’s were 182 makes and 490 attempts. He shattered those marks by showing an exuberant amount of confidence in his much-improved outside shot.

2. Tied for 15th Most Made Three’s in a Single Season

From a player that couldn’t hit three’s with any sort of consistency coming out of college, Kemba has come a very long way. His 240 made three’s was the 15th most ever in NBA and ABA history. He put his name up there alongside the sharpshooting greats. (Basketball-Reference.com)

3. 2nd Most Three’s Made in a Season in Charlotte History

If Walker would’ve played in all 82 games or even the final two games of the season, he probably would hold the franchise record for most three’s in a single season. Instead, he finished three short of Jason Richardson‘s record of 243 made three’s that he set with the then-Bobcats back in 2007-08. (Wikipedia.com)

4. Only the 11th Player in NBA History to Make 240 Three-Pointers

Even though there have been 16 cases of a player making at least 240 three’s in one season, only 10 players were named to that list as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have done so multiple times in their careers. Kemba became the 11th name to join that group this season. James Harden, Eric Gordon and Isaiah Thomas also passed the 240 mark for the first time this year. (Basketball-Reference.com)

5. Finished Sixth in Three’s Made

Only Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, Eric Gordon and Isaiah Thomas made more three’s than Walker did in 2016-17. They are all considered elite shooters in the NBA and with his stats, Kemba should enter that conversation as well. Even though he has never been known as a great three-point shooter, the Hornets’ point guard is now a part of that group. (NBA.com)

6. On the Mark From Above the Break

Of Walker’s 240 made three’s, 217 of them came from above the break. Only 10 came from the right corner and only 13 came from the left corner. Although he did shoot 45.5% (right) and 54.2% (left), Kemba did most of his damage from straight on or on the wings. His 217 from above the break was the third-most in the league behind Steph Curry and James Harden. (NBA.com)

7. Only 41.5% of Kemba’s Shots Came From Three

Maybe the most underrated stat on this list. He only shot three’s at a 41.5% frequency. Compare that to Curry’s 54.5%, Thompson’s 47%, Gordon’s 65.2%, Harden’s 49.3%, Thomas’ 43.9% and Kyle Lowry‘s 51.1%. Despite not shooting a large number of his shots from three, Kemba still managed to make a staggering amount. (NBA.com)

8. Post All-Star Break Surge

Before the All-Star Break, Walker only made 2.7 three-pointers per game which ranked 11th in the league. That improved to 3.8 per game after the break which was second only to Steph Curry. Looking at the totals, he made 149 three’s in 55 games during the first half of the season and 91 in 24 games in the second half. (NBA.com)

9. Made 29.1% of Charlotte’s Three-Pointers

As a team, the Hornets made 824 three’s during the 2016-17 season which was 11th most in the league. Kemba made 240 of those which equals almost 30% of the entire team’s all made shots from behind the arc. Without all of his three’s, Charlotte would’ve ranked dead last in the NBA. (NBA.com)

Next: Frank Ntilikina would be the right choice for Charlotte

10. Finished Third in Three-Point Shootout

Walker competed in the NBA’s three-point shootout during All-Star Weekend for the first time in his career. Despite not being a strong favorite, Kemba represented the Charlotte Hornets’ well and finished third behind the runner-up, Kyrie Irving, and the champion, Eric Gordon, in the final round.

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Charlotte Hornets: 10 stats from Kemba Walker’s three-point shooting in 2016-17

By Jerry Stephens | May 21, 2017