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The NBA has evolved over the decades and has recently been transformed with teams adapting to long-range shooting as their primary weapon on offense.
Still, the game has a vast history of the mid-range game being played to perfection by legends like Micheal Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, and many others. They have reigned supreme from that area on the hardwood and have successfully used that part of their game to obtain gold and glory.
NBA 2020-21: Top 5 mid-range scorers in the league right now
The new breed of NBA stars has fallen in love with the three-point line, and a few players like Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard are happy to launch the ball from near the mid-court line. That said, there are still many players in the NBA who thrive from the mid-range and continue to make the high percentage shot.
On that note, let's take a look at the five best mid-range scorers in the league right now.
#1 Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)
2020-21 NBA Season Average: 13.2 points FG% 43.4
Chris Paul has made his career playing the mid-range game. He is a smooth operator who knows how to reach his spot on the floor before letting it fly.
Paul will go down as one of the greatest mid-range shooters of all-time. His elbow jumper is lethal and extremely hard to defend, let alone block.
CP3 was the driving force behind the OKC Thunder's surprising playoff run last postseason. In this campaign, he's working his magic for the Phoenix Suns, who are surging in the West. You can call this the Chris Paul Effect.
#2 Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets)
2020-21 NBA Season Average: 29.4 points FG% 53.7
Kevin Durant is a special talent who can score the ball in a variety of ways. He is one of the most gifted offensive players to have ever played the game, and the mid-range game is a big part of his arsenal.
KD has made a living dropping the high percentage shot in his career. He has a high basketball IQ and uses it wisely to read the defense and make the adjustment night after night. Durant will undoubtedly go down as one of the best mid-range shooters in the game.
Durant will probably be using his mid-range skills this season as he battles in the postseason to bring the NBA Championship to the Brooklyn Nets.
#3 Kawhi Leonard (LA Clippers)
2020-21 NBA Season Average: 25 points FG% 48.3
Kawhi Leonard has embraced the mid-range game since his early days with the San Antonio Spurs. The two-time NBA champ serves as one the best examples of how to effectively pull up from 10-16 feet for the easy two.
Kawhi has used the running jumper to close out games and has made a living off it. He continues to operate from the mid-range this season for the LA Clippers. He will undoubtedly look to use this gift to advance further into the playoffs this campaign.
#4 CJ McCollum (Portland Trail Blazers)
2020-21 NBA Season Average: 27.6 points FG% 47
CJ McCollum has an all-around game but chooses to bank on the mid-range game that has served him well for the years. He is arguably the most underrated player in the NBA today, and it's a travesty that he has not been selected as an All-Star yet.
McCollum has proven to be automatic with the mid-range jumper and continues to have a high accuracy from that area on the hardwood.
CJ is having a career year this season for the Trail Blazers and continues to dazzle with his shooting prowess. He and Damian Lillard are looking good for a deep playoffs run this campaign.
#5 Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks)
2020-21 NBA Season Average: 21.8 points FG% 53
Khris Middleton had to make a big adjustment when coach Mike Budenholzer asked the Bucks to adapt to the long-range game. That said, Khris has effectively earned his way back into pulling up from the mid-range and has got the green light from his coach to do so.
Middleton is a solid clutch shooter who can make the defense pay if left alone between 8-16 feet from the rim. He is one of few remaining players in the league who makes his living with the mid-range game.
Khris is having a great season so far and continues to be a reliable number two option behind Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Guess the Lakers players!
