After two fairly uneventful seasons, newly-acquired center Timofey Mozgov is looking to expand his game in a constantly-evolving NBA where positions are becoming more versatile every year.
The 7-foot-1 big man is looking to get his game from banging down-low to the three-point line, making the transition that most big men have been working on, stepping out to bring their game to the next level.
“I’ve started working on this,” the Brooklyn Nets big dipper said in a translated version of an interview with Russian sports site Sport Express. “In fact, I can shoot three-pointers. In the past, I've been on teams where there was always someone who could shoot them.”
Having a center that can spread the floor is a gifted asset, as only a few teams can boast a weapon like that in their roster.
Former Net Brook Lopez shot a career-high 387 threes last season after having attempted only 31 during his previous eight seasons, a role that Mozgov will be looking to step into.
“I’ve already talked with the coach,” said Mozgov. “It seems to me, this year it will surprise many that I can shoot the ‘treshki’ (laughs). It will be interesting. But we'll see.”
“When I first spoke with the coach, we were on the same page. But this does not mean that I’ll be like Steph Curry, in a frenzy taking 10 shots (a game). I have a main job that I have to perform.”
Lopez's all-around efficiency took a hit, as he only shot a pedestrian 34.6 percent from beyond the arc, resulting in less trips to the free-throw line and the lowest offensive rebounding mark of his career.
But for a low-scoring guy like Mozgov, who has made his niche at the defensive end — adding one more weapon to his limited arsenal could make his game take off considerably if he's able to knock those shots down at a decent rate.
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