The Splash Brow: The key technique that unlocked Anthony Davis’ 3-point shot

Through the month of December, Lakers big man Anthony Davis frankly struggled with his 3-point shot, converting a paltry 28.7% of his looks from distance on 115 attempts. However, since the turn of the New Year, he’s turned over a new leaf, improving to 40.5%.

How did he do it? I reviewed the data and video on all of Davis’ shots from distance this season to find out what might be behind this drastic improvement and, in the following video, I explain the one key technique change that stuck out:

Considering the extended delay heading into the NBA restart, there’s certainly a question of whether Davis can maintain those post New Year’s 3-point splits. However, that being said, changes in routine and optimizing shot setup are typically things that can carry over very well. And Davis’ continuing his newfound proficiency from distance would body very well for the Lakers — especially as the team begins to use more 5-out lineups — and bode very poorly for the rest of the league when the season restarts at Disney World.

Dr. Rajpal Brar has a doctorate in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University, and runs his own sports medicine and performance business, 3CB Performance, in West LA and Valencia, CA. He also works at a hospital — giving him experience with patients in the immediate healthcare setting and neurological patients (post stroke, post brain injury) — and has been practicing for 1.5 years. Brar is additionally training at UCLA’s mindful awareness research center (MARC), and analyzes the Lakers from a medical perspective for Silver Screen and Roll and Laker Film Room. You can follow him on Twitter at @3cbPerformance.