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In basketball, a missed shot is when a player attempts to score a point by throwing the ball into the basket but fails to do so. While making shots is essential for winning a game, analyzing missed shots can also provide valuable insights into a player's or team's performance. Various factors can contribute to missed shots, such as defensive pressure, shot selection, or simply having an off day. Some players are known for their high shooting accuracy, while others may be more volume shooters, taking more shots and inevitably missing some. Let's take a closer look at some of the most missed shots in basketball and the players behind them.
Characteristics and Values of the Most Missed Shot in Basketball History
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Player | LeBron James |
| Previous Record Holder | Kobe Bryant |
| Number of Missed Shots | 35 in a row |
| Player with Most Missed Shots in NBA History | Kevin Burleson |
| Player with Most Missed Shots, Unexpectedly | Elvin Hayes |
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What You'll Learn
- Kevin Burleson missed 35 shots in a row
- LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant for the most missed shots in NBA history
- Dominique Wilkins missed over 11,000 shots from the field in his career
- Carmelo Anthony missed a lot of shots in his 1200+ game career
- Elvin Hayes tops the list of players with the most misses
Kevin Burleson missed 35 shots in a row
Kevin Burleson, a former professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons, missed 35 shots in a row during his time with the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2005-06 season. This extremely rare feat saw him miss 35 field-goal attempts consecutively over a 34-game stretch, where he played in 20 games and averaged 8 minutes and 42 seconds of playing time. Burleson's odds of missing 35 shots in a row in 88 attempts are calculated to be 0.000004 percent, or 22,641,861 to 1.
Burleson's career began with college basketball at the University of Minnesota, where he played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team from 1999 to 2003. He then ventured into professional basketball in Germany, playing for USC Heidelberg and Walter Tigers Tübingen. His performance caught the attention of the Charlotte Bobcats, who signed him for the 2005-06 season. Despite his historic shooting slump, Burleson was a proficient free-throw shooter, achieving a remarkable 16/17 in his free throws during his NBA career.
Following his stint with the Bobcats, Burleson continued his playing career with various teams, including the Fort Worth Flyers, Mersin Büyükşehir Belediye in Turkey, and Al-Ittihad Alexandria in Egypt. He eventually transitioned into coaching, taking on assistant coach and player development roles with multiple NBA teams, such as the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Detroit Pistons.
While Kevin Burleson's NBA playing career was short-lived, his resilience and determination to pursue his basketball dreams are evident. His journey showcases the unpredictable nature of sports, where even a record-setting shooting slump couldn't define the entirety of his basketball story.
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LeBron James surpassed Kobe Bryant for the most missed shots in NBA history
LeBron James has had a storied NBA career. During the Los Angeles Lakers' season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, James made history by becoming the first NBA player to compete alongside his son, Bronny James. However, that was not the only record James broke that day. With his sixth miss of the game, James surpassed Kobe Bryant for the most missed shots in NBA history, claiming an unenviable record that stood at 14,481 missed field-goal attempts.
While this record may seem negative, it reflects James' remarkable career longevity and offensive prowess. To even attempt such a high number of shots, a player must have a dominant presence on the court and be a primary scoring option. Despite the misses, James is the NBA's all-time leading scorer and has shot better than 50% in 13 different seasons. In comparison, Bryant never exceeded 47%, although it should be noted that he played during an era of tougher defense.
James' ability to control the ball and take shots demonstrates his dominance and impact on the game. As he continues his career, James will likely extend this record and may even become the first player to miss 15,000 shots. While it is not a record that any player aspires to, it underscores James' extraordinary career and impact on the NBA.
James has had an illustrious career, becoming the first player to score 40,000 points and ranking highly in various positive NBA records. His longevity and impact on the game are undeniable, and he is considered by many to be one of the greatest players in the history of basketball. While the record for most missed shots may be one that James would rather forget, it is a testament to his enduring presence and influence on the court.
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Dominique Wilkins missed over 11,000 shots from the field in his career
While it is difficult to pinpoint the most missed shot in basketball, we can look at players who have missed a lot of shots throughout their careers. One such player is Dominique Wilkins, who missed over 11,000 shots from the field during his career, which spanned over 1,074 games. Despite this, Wilkins was an elite scorer, with a career average of 24.8 points per game, and even averaged more than 21 points per game for 11 seasons in a row.
Wilkins played for the Atlanta Hawks, becoming the first player from the team to start in an NBA All-Star Game since Eddie Johnson in 1981. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team, and in the 1989 season, he was an All-Star for the fourth consecutive year, with a scoring average of 26.2 points per game. Wilkins' career was not without its setbacks, as he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in 1992, but he still managed to score the 20,000th point of his career, becoming only the 16th player to reach that milestone.
Wilkins' scoring prowess is further highlighted by his performance in the 1985-86 season, where he won the league scoring title with an average of 30.3 points per game. He was also named the NBA All-Star for the first time and voted to the All-NBA First Team. In addition to his scoring abilities, Wilkins contributed to his team in other ways, ranking second on the Hawks in rebounding and steals during the 1989 season.
While Wilkins missed a significant number of shots, it is important to consider the context of his career as a whole. He was a highly successful and respected player, as evidenced by his achievements and the dedication of his fans. When he arrived in Athens in 1995, 13,000 fans showed up for his first practice session with Panathinaikos, demonstrating his popularity and impact on the sport.
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Carmelo Anthony missed a lot of shots in his 1200+ game career
While it is difficult to pinpoint the most missed shot in basketball, there are certainly players who are known for missing a lot of shots. One of these players is Carmelo Anthony, who played over 1200 games during his career. Anthony, who played for the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, carried the offense for his teams almost single-handedly. His PPG (points per game) stats stood at 22.5 PPG, with a field goal percentage of 44.7% and a three-point field goal percentage of 35.5%. This means that while he scored a lot of points, he also missed a lot of shots, as a lower field goal percentage indicates more missed shots.
Carmelo Anthony's career spanned 19 seasons, and he averaged at least 20.0 PPG in each of his first 14 seasons. This is a remarkable feat and highlights his scoring ability. However, it also means that he had a high volume of shots, which likely resulted in a significant number of missed shots. Anthony was known for his mid-range shots and three-pointers, and his ability to score from these ranges was a key strength.
While Anthony is not at the very top of the list for the most missed shots in NBA history, he is still mentioned as a player who missed a lot of shots due to his high volume of shot attempts. This is not surprising, as players who attempt more shots are more likely to miss. For example, LeBron James, who surpassed Kobe Bryant for the most missed shots in NBA history, is also known for his highly efficient scoring. This demonstrates that missing shots is not necessarily an indication of poor performance, but rather a consequence of taking risks and attempting high-difficulty shots.
It is worth noting that the players with the most missed shots are often those who take on a high volume of shots and carry the offense for their teams. This was the case for Carmelo Anthony, who was the primary scorer for the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks. While his high volume of shot attempts resulted in a significant number of missed shots, it also contributed to his impressive scoring record and the success of his teams. Therefore, while Carmelo Anthony may have missed a lot of shots in his 1200+ game career, it is important to recognize the context of his performance and the overall impact he had on the court.
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Elvin Hayes tops the list of players with the most misses
While it may come as a surprise to many, Elvin Hayes tops the list of players with the most missed shots in NBA history. Over his illustrious 16-year career, Hayes played an impressive 1,303 games, scoring a total of 27,313 points and grabbing 16,279 rebounds. Notably, he never missed more than two games in any of his 16 seasons, showcasing remarkable consistency and durability.
Hayes, nicknamed "The Big E", was a dominant force on both ends of the court. He was renowned for his offensive prowess, with a career scoring average of 24.000 points per game, and his defensive skills were equally impressive. He was particularly famous for his patented turnaround jumper, which was virtually unguardable by his opponents. Hayes' scoring ability was on full display during his rookie season in 1968, when he led the league in scoring with an impressive average of 28.4 points per game.
Throughout his career, Hayes played for the San Diego/Houston Rockets and the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets. He was a key member of the Bullets' NBA championship-winning team in 1978 and was also an integral part of the Rockets franchise, helping them reach three NBA Finals in the 1970s. In addition to his scoring prowess, Hayes was a formidable rebounder, setting an NBA Finals record for most offensive rebounds in a game with 11. This record was later tied by the legendary Dennis Rodman, highlighting Hayes' impact on the game.
Hayes' accomplishments extend beyond his scoring and rebounding prowess. He was a 12-time NBA All-Star, a testament to his consistent excellence, and was named to the NBA's 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams. Furthermore, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.
While Hayes may top the list for the most missed shots, it's important to note that players with the most attempts often have the most misses. This simply underscores the volume of shots taken by these players and their willingness to take risks on the court. Hayes' career is a testament to perseverance, hard work, and an unwavering dedication to the game.
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Frequently asked questions
LeBron James holds the record for the most missed shots in NBA history.
Kobe Bryant previously held the record for the most missed shots in NBA history.
Kevin Burleson missed 35 shots in a row during the 2005-06 season.
