I think there is a reason that big men that are dominant on defense and in the offensive rebounding/stuffing down lobs category don’t score from midrange and beyond very often if ever. It’s not just because they can’t shoot. Many of them probably could if given the opportunity to do it on a regular basis within the flow of the offense. It’s because pulling them out that far away from the basket limits the impact they can have on the offensive glass, and on alley oops, putbacks… It also forces everyone else on the team to change the way they play the game as well. I think coaches and players alike realize that Gobert shooting 50% from 18 feet is nice and all, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t really help the team if it means he can’t hang out down low and gather up errant shots.
Guys like Myles Turner are allowed to hang around midrange and the three point line because they stink at rebounding, and the Pacers have had relatively limited outside shooting. This means that his floor stretching ability is a net positive. With guys like Gobert, that rebound and do other big man-ish stuff at an elite level, it’s a waste of a valuable resource to have him hanging out 20 feet away from the basket… unless he can become more efficient at scoring from there than the Jazz’ usual shooters (no chance in hell), it won’t become part of his arsenal.
Again, there is a reason elite interior style big men don’t usually see in game increases in this category. It just isn’t necessary or all that useful.
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