Shooting Types Tracking
Breaking down LeBron's shot profile by type — from catch-and-shoot threes to driving layups. How does he generate his points, and how efficient is each method?
Data Availability Note
Player tracking data is only available from the 2013-14 season onward. This data does not exist for Michael Jordan's playing career.
Shot Type Breakdown (Career Tracking Era)
| Shot Type | FGA/Game | FG% | eFG% | % of Shots |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catch & Shoot | 3.8 | 38.1% | 51.2% | 19.4% |
| Pull-Up | 5.2 | 40.8% | 47.3% | 26.5% |
| Driving Layup/Dunk | 6.1 | 59.8% | 59.8% | 31.1% |
| Post-Up | 1.4 | 47.2% | 47.2% | 7.1% |
| Spot-Up | 2.3 | 39.4% | 52.1% | 11.7% |
| Other (Transition, etc.) | 0.8 | 55.3% | 55.3% | 4.2% |
Three-Point Shooting by Type
Jordan Context
Jordan's shot profile was radically different. An estimated 60%+ of his shots came from the mid-range — the most inefficient area by modern standards. Jordan had fewer than 2 three-point attempts per game for most of his career. His post-up and turnaround jumper were his signature weapons — areas where tracking data would likely show extraordinary efficiency. While LeBron has adapted his game to the analytics revolution by emphasizing threes and rim attacks, Jordan dominated an era where the mid-range was the currency of elite scorers. The contrast highlights how era shapes shot selection: Jordan's game would look very different in today's NBA, and LeBron's would have looked different in the 1990s.
Analysis: LeBron's Shot Profile Evolution
LeBron's shot type distribution reveals a player who has masterfully adapted to the three-point revolution while maintaining his identity as one of the most devastating drivers in NBA history. His most common shot type — driving layups and dunks at 31.1% of his attempts — reflects the foundation of his offensive game. At 59.8% FG% on these attempts, LeBron is one of the most efficient finishers at the rim the league has ever seen, a remarkable achievement given the volume and the attention defenses devote to keeping him out of the paint.
The pull-up jumper, accounting for 26.5% of his shots, has been the most scrutinized aspect of LeBron's offensive game throughout his career. At 40.8% FG% and 47.3% eFG%, his pull-up shooting is solid but not elite by modern standards. This has been the primary criticism of LeBron's offensive repertoire — his pull-up game, particularly from mid-range, has never matched the lethal precision of players like Jordan, Kobe Bryant, or Kevin Durant. However, LeBron's pull-up three-pointer at 33.1% is respectable and serves as a necessary counter to his driving game.
Perhaps the most underrated aspect of LeBron's shooting profile is his catch-and-shoot efficiency. At 40.3% on catch-and-shoot threes, LeBron is a genuinely elite off-ball shooter when he chooses to play that role. This number is often overlooked because LeBron takes relatively few catch-and-shoot attempts compared to dedicated shooters. When LeBron plays alongside another ball-handler and spots up, he is a legitimate threat — a fact that has significant implications for team construction and lineup optimization.
The 38.7% corner three-point percentage further underscores LeBron's off-ball shooting capability. Corner threes are the most efficient shot in basketball (shortest distance, simplest geometry), and LeBron converts them at an above-average clip. His 35.8% above-the-break three-point percentage is more in line with league average, reflecting the added difficulty of longer, more heavily contested attempts from the top of the arc and the wings.
LeBron's post-up game, while accounting for only 7.1% of his shots, is highly efficient at 47.2% FG%. This is a weapon that becomes particularly valuable in the playoffs, where LeBron can exploit mismatches against smaller defenders. His size advantage in the post is one of the unique tools in his offensive arsenal that separates him from other perimeter players.
The overall picture that emerges from LeBron's shot type data is one of extraordinary versatility. Unlike specialists who excel in one or two shot types, LeBron generates efficient offense from virtually every area and situation on the court. He is elite at the rim, above average from three on catch-and-shoot looks, effective in the post, and competent as a pull-up shooter. This well-rounded shot profile, combined with his playmaking ability, is what makes LeBron nearly impossible to game-plan against — there is no single area where defenses can take away his offense without opening up another equally dangerous option.