The On Deck Circle

This article has been submitted bylawn bowling machine Samuel Cassady.

Wow, Jason Kapono can really shoot. And with a career average of 46.7% from beyond the arc, while completing over 51% of his 3-pointers in his last two seasons, Kapono might be the best ever. Reggie Miller only shot a surprising 39% clip for his career. Steve Kerr was 45.4% from 3-pt land, but when you’re talking career averages, those added percentage points become significant. And hey, nothing against Kerr, but playing on those 90’s Jordan teams must have contributed to a few more open looks (his average while playing for the Bulls was 47%).

The point being, Jason Kapono can really shoot. Heading into the All-Star break Kapono looks to defend his 3-pt competition title and if this video is any indication of his preparation and skill-set, Kobe shouldn’t even bother coming out. Yes, Kapono will once again display to the NBA world his quick release, smooth stroke, and ice-cold demeanor, making NBA scouts and GMs collectively scratch their heads as to why they didn’t scoop Kapono up for the mere 5 million per year the Raptors are paying him. That is, all but one GM.


Ironically, the GM that signed Kapono, Byan Colangelo, can’t see Kapono as a success story. How could he? Kapono’s numbers have fallen across the board, and his minutes per game have reduced him to a reserve player. Sure, Kapono is a fantastic insurance policy if Anthony Parker goes down, but Colangelo didn’t bring him in to sit on Sam Mitchell’s bench and wait for an injury. Kapono was supposed to be a difference maker.

Now, sure, the emergence of Jamario Moon has taken some minutes away from Kapono, but this is apparently the best 3-pt shooter of all-time on a 3-pt happy team! Moon - an athletic but woefully inconsistent, turnover-happy forward - shouldn’t be able to steal minutes away from a legitimate NBA starter. Further, if the Raptors weren’t happy with an undersized, non-athletic Kapono at the small forward spot, why bother signing him? Is a reserve 3-pt specialist worth 20 million over 4 years?

Following the glare of bright lights and mouth-foaming star-struck GMs (ie. Steve Kerr) walked away a lonely guy named Luke Jackson. Remember him? He was recently cut by Miami following the Shaq trade. He was - and still is - a fantastic NBA 3-pt shooter. The Raptors had him last season for the league minimum, cut him in the off-season, then signed Jason Kapono for 5 million/year.

Is Kapono better than Jackson? Hands-down! Is Kapono worth 5 million/year? For sure! Is Kapono worth 4.5 million/year more than Jackson? Hell no! Kapono may hit a few more 3’s, but the way Sam Mitchell (under) utilizes Kapono, I don’t see a significant difference between the two (Jackson has a height advantage, to boot).
So, as Kapono wins the 3-pt competition this year, be glad that he hits that great percentage, because those extra few percentage points are apparently worth 4.5 million dollars. Money-balls indeed.

This article has been submitted by lawn bowling machine Samuel Cassady.