So Kyle Korver, are some arenas better than others for a shooter?
Turns out the Hawks’ sharp-shooting guard does have favorites.
Korver currently leads the NBA in 3-point field goal percentage and recently turned in the best percentage from long distance in in league history. He is currently 16th on the NBA’s all-time list for converted 3-pointers at 1,574. He trails Jason Richardson by just two to move up another spot.
Korver made 5-of-7 3-pointers in the Hawks’ 95-79 victory over the 76ers last week. According to Elias Sports Bureau, it marked the 24th time that Korver has made at least five 3-pointers and converted at least 70 percent of his shots from beyond the arc in his career, the most such games for any active player. The only other current player to have done that at least 20 times is Joe Johnson (22).
Here is Korver’s list of favorite shooting venues:
1. Philips Arena, Atlanta
The skinny: Korver has played games in Atlanta as both a member of the visiting and home team.
The numbers: Combined, Korver is 289 of 620 from 3-point range, a 46.6 percent success rate.
In his words: "I like it is when it is kind of dark, the atmosphere. It's one of the reasons I like Atlanta. It has dark seats. I'll put that number one."
2. Madison Square Garden, New York
The skinny: The arena has historical appeal from the court all the way into the hallways.
The numbers: He is 78 of 192 from 3-point range, a 40.6 percent rate.
In his words: "I love New York, the Garden, because there is always awesome energy in there. It's always exciting, no matter what the game means. It's always an exciting atmosphere. It's fun to play there. It's fun to walk the hallways. And it's dark."
3. Staples Center, Los Angeles
The skinny: Korver makes a distinction between the arena when it's set up for a Lakers game and as opposed to when it's set up for the Clippers.
The numbers: He is 42 of 108 from 3-point range, a 38.9 percent rate.
In his words: "I like shooting at Staples. When you play the Lakers, it's dark. I like shooting there."
4. Moda Center, Portland
The skinny: The arena, formally known as the Rose Garden, is where Korver's NBA-record of 127 games with a 3-pointer ended last season.
The numbers: He is 43 of 94 from 3-point range, a 45.7 percent rate.
In his words: "It's ironic because that is where the streak ended last year. Portland, the floor is always sticky too. It's always a little humid in there. I like the floor. I like to be able to feel the floor. And they have a great atmosphere too."
5. TD Garden, Boston
The skinny: Boston fans can be particularly boisterous, especially during the streak.
The numbers: He is 77 of 166 from 3-point range, a 46.4 percent rate.
In his words: "I love Boston fans. They are really great and there is always good energy. The game always feels so important in there and it makes you excited to play. They were totally (on me during the streak)."
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