No, this isn’t a Dude Perfect video. That’s the Portland Trail Blazers recently-acquired big man Mason Plumlee draining a backward, game-winning three-pointer off the glass at scrimmage Friday. The Blazers don’t have a whole lot to be excited about this season, but if they can coax this type of clutch-time play out of the former Brooklyn Net, then they might give us all something to talk about.
NBA teams have put a premium on three-point shooting in the modern era, so it would behoove Plumlee to try and add the forward-facing variety of that shot to his arsenal this season, which in itself would be amazing, seeing as how he’s never made or even attempted a shot from downtown during his first two season as a pro.
Plumlee can look to one of his new teammates for advice in that particular area. After shooting just 3-of-13 from behind the arc during his first two NBA seasons combined, Meyers Leonard transformed himself into a virtual knock-down three-point shooter for the Blazers last season, averaging 42 percent on more than 100 total attempts. He also became a member of the exclusive 50-40-90 club. In the era of small ball and the stretch four, Plumlee almost can’t afford not to expand his repertoire in that department.
