New tracking data sheds light on one of the more surprising elements of LeBron James’ shooting profile. Despite ranking among the most efficient scorers in NBA history, the Los Angeles Lakers star has shown inconsistency on wide-open looks.
According to Charting Hoops, James finished last season with an effective field goal percentage of 57.1 percent, good for 36th out of 117 qualified players and in the top 10 percentile all time. But when isolating “wide open” attempts, defined as shots taken with the nearest defender at least six feet away, the numbers show a drop-off.
James converted just over half of his wide-open two-point attempts, placing him among the lowest rates in the league. The data suggests that additional time and space may disrupt his rhythm rather than improve it.
Interestingly, Stephen Curry, widely regarded as the best shooter ever, also ranked low in this area. Curry hit exactly 50 percent of his 24 wide-open twos last season, a reminder that rhythm and timing often matter as much as defensive pressure.
The report also examined James’ free throw shooting trends. While his career average stands at 73.7 percent, he hit just 75 percent of free throws taken within one minute of a previous attempt. That figure is only a slight improvement from his overall percentage, indicating that even in quick succession, repetition has not significantly boosted his accuracy.
Another trend highlighted is situational performance. James shoots slightly better from the line in the late stages of games after logging 35 or more minutes, suggesting improved focus under pressure. However, because most of his attempts come earlier in contests, his overall percentage often dips below 70 percent in those stretches.
In his 22nd season, James adapted his game to remain one of the NBA’s most productive players. He averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in 70 games during the 2024-25 regular season, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 37.6 percent from deep.
