December 4, 2021
The 5 Levels of Scoring was created and coined by Jason Roberts on Clubhouse in October 2021. We also have 5 Levels merch! Show your support!
Historically, we have all been taught that there are 3 levels at which a player can score a basketball - (1) at the rim, (2) the mid-range, and (3) behind the arc. This construct originally made sense. Perfecting your scoring prowess in each of those 3 levels would make a player more complete on the offensive end of the court. Today, however, we all witness the evolution of the game. After much observation and consideration, I believe that there are 5 levels of scoring - (1) at the rim, (2) floater range, (3) mid-range, (4) traditional 3 point shot, (5) deep 3 point shot.
At the Rim - the 1st Level
At the rim is basically shots made at the rim, or in the restricted area. Shots at this level are typically an assortment of dunks and layups. Guards generally score in this level after driving the basketball from the perimeter, while bigs also tend to score at this level after utilizing various post moves.
Floater Range (aka the “Finesse Range”) - the 2nd Level
The floater range is an area on the court that is approximately 3-9 feet from the basket. This is the area on the court where floaters are generally taken, but any type of shot can be taken from the floater range. I added this range because of the prevalence of guys scoring in this range in the last 10 years. To be clear, there have always been guys who score in the floater range. But with the advent and popularization of the floater shot, more and more guys are now able to use their feathery touch to score in this range. the floater range takes a different skill set and a different type of touch to perfect, when compared to finishing at the rim or in the mid-range (next section). Hooks shots, baby hooks, push shots, floaters, etc. are all shots that are utilized in the 2nd level. Tony Parker was an amazing floater range scorer and really was the pre-cursor to the floater range explosion. Guys like Trae Young, Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Bruce Brown and Donovan Mitchell are elite floater range scorers. Take Bruce Brown, currently of the Brooklyn Nets. While he can score in variety of ways, his bread and butter is the floater range (more than any other player I’ve ever seen). He typically doesn’t get all the way to rim and he’s certainly not pulling up with mid-range jumpers. He’s made a very good living for himself by becoming elite in the 2nd level of scoring. Bruce Brown is the quintessential 2nd level scorer.
Mid Range - the 3rd Level
Mid range has historically been a fundamental part of the game. Guys like Lamarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan were (and some still are) elite mid-range assassins. However, if you look at a shot chart from today’s NBA, you will see that the mid-range is almost dead. But no one disputes that the mid-range is a level, so we can move on.
Traditional 3 Point Shot - the 4th Level
This is also an undisputed level of scoring. Since the advent of the 3 point line, the three point level has been an absolute consensus.
Deep 3 Point Shot - the 5th Level
Guys like Steph Curry, Dame Lillard, and Trae Young have made reputations for being able to score from this level. You literally have to guard these guys from the moment they cross half court due to their ability to shoot the ball from the 5th level. Damian Lillard famously and hilariously sent Paul George and OKC Thunder home on a shot from the 5th level. While these guys are the ones who shoot it most frequently, they aren’t the only guys who can take and make shots from the 5th level. Look no further than the OKC vs Lakers game in the earlier 2021-2022 season. SGA sent the Lakers packing while calling “game” from the 5th level. Maybe if Avery Bradley had been given a proper scouting report on SGA, he would’ve known to press up just a bit more. As more and more guys start to work on their 5th level scoring, the 5th level will be obvious to all. Just because it’s not the entire league shooting this shot, the level still exists. And as some NBA trainers I know have attested, some NBA teams are actually instructing guys over the summer to work on their deep 3 abilities. It’s a real thing.
“As things evolve, so must the language we use to discuss them.”
-Jason Roberts (founder of 5 Levels)