Consistency from long range
Upon first glance, it may look strange to ask more of Snell from three-point range, considering how he’s fared from that level of the floor during his time with the Bucks.
After all, Snell’s three-point percentage slightly fell from 40.6 percent during the 2016-17 season to 40.3 percent last year. But that cursory glance at Snell’s three-point numbers for the 2017-18 season doesn’t tell the whole story in that regard, as all Bucks fans can definitely attest to.
Following a hot start from long range, Snell’s range shooting proficiency fluctuated greatly after the turn of the calendar year. Taking a look at Snell’s monthly splits illuminates that fact as the 26-year-old’s three-point percentage stood as high as 51.2 percent for the month of November (13 games) and as low as 28 percent for the month of April (six games).
Small sample size notwithstanding, Snell’s wide ranging inconsistencies from beyond the arc only led to him becoming increasingly shy in terms of launching away quality looks from that area as the season progressed, which led to his marginalization in the team’s rotation under the guidance of former Bucks head coach, Joe Prunty.
There’s more to it than that, but that likely won’t stand with his new head coach, Mike Budenholzer, and for the returns to come in steadier over the course of the coming season, Snell has no choice but to go back to the basics.