Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers opened up during a press conference about the importance of bringing back mid-range jumpers, emphasizing that they’re difficult to defend and that teams today don’t really have an answer for them. According to Bueckers, basketball has become almost exclusively about layups and three-pointers, neglecting an area of the court that could prove decisive in close games.
Over the past decade, the strategy known as Moreyball has dictated the pace of professional basketball, both in the NBA and WNBA, favoring shots at the rim and threes over mid-range jumpers, which are often considered less efficient. However, Bueckers is showing that a reliable mid-range shot remains a valuable and strategic weapon.
Fans quickly rallied behind her comments on social media, praising her ability to hit tough shots and her impact on the game: “Glad she’s bringing it back to the game,” “Paige basically telling y’all she can score from anywhere … try and stop it,” and “This kind of mid-range pull up is very difficult to guard indeed. But if it was easy, more guards would use it more often. She is very good at stopping and shooting them.”
The mid-range comeback
During the press conference, Bueckers explained: “Yeah, I think truly basketball has gotten away from it. It’s mostly layups and threes, so it’s really hard to guard. Teams don’t know how to counter it. I think it’s an advantage if you can score the mid-range. Obviously, you don’t want to settle or get into the rim, but being able to score in that middle area is important as well.”
While the game continues to evolve, some experts agree that mid-range jumpers could regain relevance. Coaches and young players still focus heavily on creating space for threes or attacking the rim, which leaves defenses less prepared to contest mid-range shots.
Legends like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Steve Nash have all highlighted that a reliable mid-range jumper can be essential in breaking down defenses. And while Moreyball still shapes much of the modern game, the mid-range is slowly carving out a path for its return as a legitimate strategic weapon.
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