Heat player exit review: Josh Richardson’s up and down season

Interesting stat: 31.9

This number represents the percentage Richardson shot for the season on catch and shoot opportunities. Considering this made up 45.3 percent of Richardson’s total shot attempts, it is clearly cause for concern. Although Richardson can be labelled a combo guard, he is predominately playing off the ball. And comparing him other players on the Heat roster is an interesting exercise.

Dion Waiters shot 44.1 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from behind three on catch and shoot opportunities. The Heat’s highest volume catch and shoot performer, Wayne Ellington, hit at 40.0 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from three on 5.6 attempts per game. Another combo guard, Tyler Johnson, managed 38.8 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from three on 4.1 attempts per game.

If Richardson is to take his game to the next level, this is certainly one area he can refine. Granted, it’s terrific that Richardson has demonstrated that he is capable of shooting off the dribble, as evidenced by converting at a 46.8 percent clip from shots taken with between 1-6 dribbles. But when he doesn’t have this to utilise through the course of a game, his catch and shoot percentages must improve.