Basketball is a game of geometry disguised as a game of hustle. You see a guy like Stephen Curry pull up from the logo and it looks like magic, but honestly, it’s just physics and muscle memory meeting at a very high level of competence. When we talk about good shots to make, we aren't just talking about the ones that happen to go in. A "good" shot is a statistical probability. It’s the decision to shoot a high-percentage look over a contested fadeaway.
Most people think a good shot is just anything that touches the bottom of the net. They're wrong. You can make a terrible shot—a double-clutched, off-balance heave—and it’s still a bad shot, even if it counts for three points.
The Corner Three: Basketball’s Cheat Code
The corner three is basically the holy grail of modern analytics. Why? Because the line is closer. In the NBA, the arc is 23 feet 9 inches at the top, but it shrinks to 22 feet in the corners. You're getting the same three points for less work. Players like P.J. Tucker made entire careers out of just standing in that corner and waiting.
If you're playing pickup at the park, the geometry stays the same. The corner is the shortest distance to the maximum reward. However, there's a catch. You have no space. If you're trapped in the corner, the sideline and the baseline become extra defenders. It’s a high-risk, high-reward neighborhood.
But if you can relocate there while the defense is rotating? That’s gold.
The Lost Art of the Mid-Range
Everyone says the mid-range is dead. They say analytics killed it. Well, tell that to Kevin Durant or Kawhi Leonard. While the "mathematically" good shots to make are layups and threes, the mid-range is the pressure valve of an offense.
When the defense sells out to stop the rim and the arc, the middle of the floor is wide open. It’s lonely there.
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A 15-foot pull-up jumper is a high-percentage look for a practiced shooter. The key is the "elbow" of the key. If you can get to the elbow, you have multiple options. You can drive, you can pass to the opposite wing, or you can rise up. It’s one of the most difficult spots for a defender to guard because they’re stuck in no-man's land.
High-Percentage Looks Near the Rim
Let’s be real: the layup is the best shot in the game. Period.
If you can get to the restricted area, your expected points per shot skyrocket. But a "good" layup isn't just running head-first into a 7-footer. It’s about using the glass. The backboard is your friend. Most players aim for the "sweet spot" on the square, but the angle of your approach changes everything.
- The Mikan Drill approach: Using the high glass to avoid shot-blockers.
- The Reverse: Using the rim itself as a shield against the defender's reach.
- The Finger Roll: Soft touch that allows the ball to "crawl" over the rim.
The "Heat Check" and Shot Selection
We've all seen it. Someone makes two shots in a row and suddenly thinks they're Dame Lillard from half-court. This is where shot selection goes to die.
A good shot to make is one that comes within the flow of the game. If you’ve passed the ball four times and the defense is scrambling, a wide-open 20-footer is a great shot. If you bring the ball up and shoot it with 20 seconds on the shot clock without anyone else touching it? That’s a teammate-killer.
Even if you make it, you've told your four teammates that their job is just to watch you work. That’s bad for chemistry.
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Understanding "Expected Value" (qSQ)
In the pro ranks, they use a metric called "Shot Quality" or quantified Shot Quality (qSQ). This isn't just about who is shooting. It factors in how close the nearest defender is, the player's season average from that specific coordinate on the floor, and whether it was a catch-and-shoot or off the dribble.
For example, a catch-and-shoot three for Klay Thompson is a "better" shot than a wide-open layup for a player who can’t finish with their left hand. It’s contextual.
You have to know your own "hot zones." If you spend your practice time shooting from the right wing, then a shot from the right wing is a good shot for you. If you never practice corner threes, then a corner three—even if it's "statistically" better—is a bad shot for you.
The Psychological Impact of the "And-One"
There is nothing that shifts momentum like a bucket and a foul. These are often the hardest shots to make because of the physical contact.
To finish through contact, you need core strength. It’s not about the arms. It’s about absorbing the hit in your chest and keeping your eyes on the rim. When you see a player like Luka Dončić finish an "and-one," look at his head. It stays level. He doesn't look at the guy hitting him; he looks at the cylinder.
Actionable Steps for Better Shot Selection
Improving your game isn't just about shooting 500 jumpers a day. It’s about training your brain to recognize the right moments.
- Track your spots: For one week, keep a mental (or actual) tally of where you shoot from during games. You’ll probably find you're taking shots from places where you rarely practice.
- The "One-Pass" Rule: In pickup games, challenge yourself to never shoot unless at least one pass has been made. It forces the defense to move and usually creates a cleaner look.
- Shorten your range: If you’re struggling, move three feet closer. There is no shame in a 10-foot bank shot. It builds confidence.
- Watch the feet: A good shot starts at the floor. If your feet aren't set or pointed toward the basket, your percentage drops by nearly 20% regardless of your skill level.
Stop hunting for the spectacular and start hunting for the efficient. The best players aren't the ones who make the hardest shots; they're the ones who make the game look easy by taking the right ones. Focus on the corners, dominate the elbows, and always, always use the glass when you're inside the paint. Efficiency wins games; highlights just win social media arguments.