The attention drawn by Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh has had a predictable effect: The Heat is in the top four in the league in the number of unguarded catch-and-shoots, with the Spurs the only team that has taken significantly more.
Miami has had 920 unguarded catch-and-shoot field-goal attempts, according to synergysportstech.com. By comparison, the Lakers have had 712.
“I’ve always attracted so much attention that guys get open looks,” James said Wednesday. “When I have new teammates, it’s a harder adjustment at the beginning because they’re not used to getting so many open looks."
To appreciate the increase in open looks, consider: Last season, 40.6 percent of the Heat’s catch-and-shoot jumpers were unguarded, and Miami shot 41.2 percent on those. This season, 57.9 percent have been unguarded, and the Heat has shot 46 percent on those attempts, second best in the league.