Just when we thought being a Bulls fan couldn’t get any more depressing, Tony Snell proves us wrong. Yes, the very same Tony Snell whom Chicago traded to the Milwaukee Bucks for Michael Carter-Williams before this season started. No one could believe the Bulls managed to get anything more than a ham sandwich for the disappointing wing player drafted by Chicago in 2013. When critics cite Gar Forman and John Paxson’s underachieving draft picks, Snell is usually near the top of the list. Now making the most of his fresh start in Milwaukee, “Snelly Cat” has his name near the top of a very different kind of list. A good list.
The Kid Can Shoot
Earlier today, Jon Schumann of NBA.com updated his list of the most improved shooters in the league comparing last season to this season. Guess who sits at number two on the list?
Haven't updated this in a while – Most improved shooters from last season to this season: pic.twitter.com/2aDFceIyjX
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) February 8, 2017
Snell has raised his shooting percentages across the board this season. His overall field goal percentage (45.3%) is a huge leap from his final season with the Bulls (37.2%). Tony is also hitting three pointers at a higher clip (38.5% this season > 36.1% last season). In effective field goal percentage, which accounts for three-point field goals being worth more than two-point field goals, Snell’s +12.8% spike this season is massive. Across the NBA, only the Lakers’ Nick Young (+13.8%) has improved more than Snell in that category.
The Bulls flameout is finding success as a regular starter with the Bucks. That’s not to say GarPax made a mistake trading Tony. It’s just funny that after he was deemed a bust by everyone in Chicago, the former first round pick is finally blossoming elsewhere. Go figure.
Wrong Way
Now, here’s the really funny part: Schumann also gave us the bottom end of that same list, highlighting the NBA players with the steepest declines in their effective field goal percentage. Guess who checks in as the worst of the bunch?
And here's the other end of the list. pic.twitter.com/kg6sGRrcuP
— John Schuhmann (@johnschuhmann) February 8, 2017
Kudos to you if you guessed Bulls malcontent point guard Rajon Rondo. Compared to his one-season stint with Sacramento last year, Rondo’s shooting has fallen off a cliff. His overall field goal percentage (36.2%), three point percentage (31.4%) and effective field goal percentage (39.6%) all suffered major drops. His -9.7 decline in eFG% is the worst among qualified players in the NBA.
So there’s that. Snell and Rondo’s opposite-direction trends serve as a mirror for the Bulls and Bucks this season. Chicago’s 47.9 eFG% is good for dead last in the league. Milwaukee, on the other hand, currently has the 7th best eFG% at 52.6.
Snell is breaking out of his shell after three fruitless seasons with the Bulls. Rondo, meanwhile, is making $14 million this season to come off the bench and miss just about every shot he takes. Just in case we all needed another reason to laugh at the Bulls, Snelly Cat finally came through in the clutch.
