Richard sets sights high
It says a lot about new Breakers import Patrick Richard that he is setting his sights on the 50-40-90 threshold for his first season in the Australian NBL.
The 50-40-90 threshold is considered the ultimate indicator of shooting accuracy – 50 percent from the floor, 40 from three-point territory and 90 from the line.
It’s a mark Steph Curry knocked off most recently in the NBA, and before him Kevin Durant. Steve Nash was a regular achiever, and Dirk Nowitzki, Reggie Miller and Larry Bird are others in the exclusive club.
‘‘I’ve come close before in my career at different places. That’s always been something I’ve wanted to do,’’ says this globetrotting pro from Louisiana who has had stints in Holland, Germany, France, Israel and Spain. ‘‘I’ve always been focused on being an efficient player, not taking bad shots, and letting the game come to me. Richard was very good in Sunday’s 88-81 victory at defending champs Melbourne United when he came up big down the stretch to finish with 15 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals and a team-high plus/ minus of +10.
To his 50-40-90 ambitions, he kept his side of the bargain by shooting 62 percent from the floor (5 of 8), 75 from three (3 of 4) and making both of his free-throws. After disappointing home defeat to Brisbane – ‘‘that was a lacklustre performance … we looked in the mirror and said ‘nah, that’s unacceptable’,’’ said Richard. On Sunday the Breakers face the Sydney Kings with Andrew Bogut as one of four teams on a 1-1 record.