Nikola Koprivica, sharpshooter?

by Jeff Nusser on Nov 19, 2008 10:00 AM PST

Nikola Koprivica, 3-point shooting, last three years:

Year	3PM	3PA	Pct.
2006-07	8	29	27.6
2007-08	4	29	13.8
2008-09	4	7	57.1

Discuss.

Poll

Is Koprivica's 3-point shooting for real?

Yes

50 votes

No

29 votes

79 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

As a freshman ...

he showed signs of being able to hit the three. I know that his percentage wasn’t spectacular, and last year was a total wash for him, but it was my observation that he looked confident as a freshman taking and making some threes.

Something to ponder;

Freshman 3 pt% for Low: 32.1, Weaver: 9.1, Harmeling: 24.1%
Junior 3 pt% Low: 39.9, Weaver: 23.7, Harmeling: 37.6%

In Koprivica’s case, for a guy shooting 27.6% as a freshman, shooting in the mid 30%‘s shouldn’t be a surprise for his style of play under this coaching staff.

by Jo-Jo on Nov 19, 2008 10:25 AM PST reply actions

It has arc!

Even the shots that missed were close, so he’s not throwing up lucky bricks. He’s got the shooting touch that he didn’t have last year.

Good points Jo-Jo. I think the big reason everyone is surprised is that we already knew he was pretty damn good at everything else, so adding a legit J to his arsenal is, well, just great.

7 in a row, baby!

by johnnycougar on Nov 19, 2008 11:22 AM PST reply actions

If his 3-point shooting is indeed legit

he could lead this team in scoring. I’m not kidding.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Nov 19, 2008 1:27 PM PST up reply actions

By the way, you're right about the way his shot looked last year

It was so flat, very little rotation. That’s why I’m a bit skeptical about this recent run. If he truly has added some arc and a softer touch — tough to do in the middle of your career — then that’s a great thing. However, I’ll believe a little more when he does it against top competition. Under more pressure, athletes tend to revert back to bad habits.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Nov 19, 2008 1:33 PM PST up reply actions

Agreed.

Every 3 I’ve seen him take so far this year, hasn’t been really contested. Although I didn’t go to the FDU game. Also SSS, anyone can make 4 out of 7, even Aron.

by JonF on Nov 19, 2008 2:16 PM PST up reply actions

I always felt he wasn't bending his knees enough last year

Side effect of the ACL injury.

He is a better three point shooter than last year.

And actually it’s Klay Thompson who will lead the team in scoring if his three-point shooting is legit (which it hasn’t been these first two games)

by Grady Clapp on Nov 19, 2008 7:56 PM PST up reply actions

Agree, a lot of it was legs

I think he pressed at time maybe because he wanted to contribute. He just didn’t shoot with his legs period last season.

I’m hoping he can give them 8-10 a game and more importantly, shoot a high percentage. If he has his quickness back, he should be a pretty good stat machine for his position.

by BornCoug on Nov 19, 2008 9:12 PM PST up reply actions