Kyle Korver passes Steve Nash in the record books
Three-point assassin Kyle Korver just passed Steve Nash in the record books as the Cleveland Cavaliers swept their second opponent out of the postseason.
Kyle Korver just hit four of the most important threes of his career, as the Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Toronto Raptors in the second round. In hitting those four treys, Korver ended up passing up Steve Nash in the record books.
Korver has now hit 181 threes in the postseason. That moves him past Steve Nash (177) and into the top 20.
He’s currently tied with one-time Cav Dan Majerle at the 19th-spot on the leaderboard.
Korver has been the Cleveland Cavaliers’ best in-season acquisition this season. After averaging 10.7 points per game in the regular season, on 48.7 percent shooting from the field and 48.5 percent shooting from three-point range, Korver has averaged 7.8 points per game in the postseason, shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 48.5 percent from three-point range.
If you think those numbers are good, aside from one defensive blunder against the Sacramento Kings, Korver has been stellar for the Cavs.
In catch-and-shoot situations, Korver has been automatic for the Cavs. He’s shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 48.4 percent from three-point range this postseason.
You can also catch Korver running around screens so that he can get an open three-point shot or midrange field goal, which he knocks down with ease. He’s knocking down 47.1 percent of his shots from the field and has an effective field goal percentage of 58.8 in the playoffs, while averaging 1.11 point per possession.
The “American Eagle” has been efficient for the Cleveland Cavaliers this season. Stellar, really. Putting him on the court next to Channing Frye or Kevin Love gives the Cavs at least two catch-and-shoot threats that make an open three-point shot look like a layup and it completely changes the complexion of the Cleveland Cavaliers offense.
In fact, the threat of the three-point shot is what’s helped elevate James’ game in the postseason.
Not in terms of assists, as James is averaging 7.1 assists per game (his lowest per game average in the postseason since he’s returned to Cleveland). In terms of his ability to attack the rim and dominate in the paint. James is averaging 34.4 points per game this postseason, his highest postseason per game average since he averaged 35.3 points per game as a 24-year-old. James is now 32.
Korver’s ability to be a knockdown shooter will be needed throughout the postseason and, if he re-signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he could be the Ray Allen of what could be a Cavs’ dynasty. They already run Allen’s plays for Korver (and some of Rip Hamilton’s).
Passing Nash in the record books is no small feat, as Nash is a future Hall of Farmer and notorious for his three-point ability. With the way Korver has been shooting the ball this year and throughout his career, it wouldn’t be surprised if Korver ended up in the Hall of Fame too.
Korver is not only in the top-20 in the postseason for the three-point field goals, he’s in a three-way tie with Jamal Crawford and Vince Carter for 5th-most threes in NBA history (regular season).
This is what Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin had to say about Korver after Game 3.
Walked by #Cavs GM David Griffin after game and I said, "Kyle changed the game." He said, "Yeah, that pickup has worked out pretty well"
— Chris Fedor (@ChrisFedor) May 6, 2017
Indeed.
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Where do you think three-point assassin Kyle Korver will end up on the all-time leaderboard? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.
*Unless otherwise noted, all stats courtesy of www.basketball-reference.com