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50–40–90 club

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Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns

The "50–40–90 club" is an informal statistic used to rate athletes in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). It requires a player to achieve all three criteria of 50% field goal percentage, 40% three-point field goal percentage and 90% free throw percentage by the end of the regular season.[1] To qualify, a player must attain the statistical minimums for any league-leading title; since 2013, the NBA requires 300 field goals, 82 three-pointers and 125 free throws by the end of the season.[2][3] In NBA and WNBA history, only nine players have recorded a 50–40–90 season. The latest player, the WNBA's first, was Elena Delle Donne in 2019.[4]

50–40–90 indicates a great all-around attacking performance and is considered the gold standard for shooters.[5] Only Steve Nash (four times) and Larry Bird (twice) have had repeat 50–40–90 seasons. Nash's lifetime 49–43–90 regular season average is the closest anyone has come to achieving a career 50–40–90 mark.[6] Nash's lifetime 47–40–90 playoff average is the closest anyone has come to achieving a career 50–40–90 mark in the playoffs.[7] Dirk Nowitzki is the only member that falls short of the updated minimum requirement for three-pointers; he finished with 72 threes in 2007, before the change in requirements in 2013.

Members

Larry Bird, the first player to accomplish the 50–40–90 achievement, and one of two players to achieve the feat in multiple seasons.

Since the NBA introduced the three-point field goal in the 1979–80 season, the 50–40–90 shooting threshold has been reached by eight players:[5][8]

WNBA:

Nash and Bird are the only players who have repeated 50–40–90 seasons; Bird was the first to join this club and recorded back-to-back seasons, while Nash recorded four such seasons between 2005 and 2010.[9] Nash narrowly missed a fifth consecutive 50–40–90 season by shooting at 89.9% from the free throw line during the 2006–07 season, one made free throw short of the 90% mark.[10]

Nash (during his second 50–40–90 season), Curry, and Delle Donne are the only members to achieve a 50–40–90 season while also exceeding the minimum of one statistic by an additional 5 percent: Nash and Curry both averaged at least 45 percent from three, and Elena Delle Donne shot 97.4 percent from the free throw line. Curry, Delle Donne, Nash, and Nowitzki are the only members to achieve a 50–40–90 mark while also winning their league’s Most Valuable Player Award in the same season. Curry is the only member to average at least 30 points-per-game during a 50–40–90 season, with Bird narrowly missing the mark at 29.93 points per game during his second 50–40–90 season.[4]

Terminology and calculations

NBA

Similar to baseball batting averages, official NBA shooting percentages are computed to the third decimal place (thousandths), but is referred to in a "percentage", rather than "permillage" like in baseball. A player who shot .8995 on free throws would be officially computed as shooting .900 and referred to as a 90% shooter, but a player who shot .8994 would be officially computed as shooting .899 and referred to as an 89.9% shooter. While the significant number is the same for the two sports, a baseball player with a batting average of .300 is referred to as a "three hundred hitter" rather than a "30% hitter". While the NBA officially uses a three-digit number, it reports shooting statistics in a shortened and rounded form as a percentage, so that .899 to the third decimal place is simplified as a two digit "90%" in most of its reporting.[11] Thus, a true 50–40–90 season requires a player to achieve or exceed 50.0 percent field goal efficiency, 40.0 percent three-point field goal efficiency and 90.0 percent free-throw shooting efficiency. This rounding to the second digit has pertinence regarding several near misses for 50–40–90 seasons, as the player's three digit results were "49.6 to 49.9" or "39.6 to 39.9" and "89.6 to 89.9" rather than fully 50.0% – 40.0% – 90.0%.

These near-miss results can be found in secondary tables, below. To qualify, a player also has to successfully make at least 300 field goals, 82 three-point field goals (since the 2013–14 season) and 125 free throws.[12] These values have been used since the 1999–2000 season except in the lockout-shortened 2011–12 season; requirements varied with the schedule length several times before that.[13] This requirement to consistently produce through a season has pertinence regarding several players have been cited in the media or by their basketball clubs for having a 50–40–90 season, while ignoring the full minimum successful shots makes criteria required to be considered a leader in each category. For example, a book published in 2009 credits Steve Kerr as achieving a miracle 50–50–90 in the 1995–96 season, but ignores the fact that he was considerably short of the minimum requirements for field goals (short by 56 makes) or free throws (short by 47 makes) to be recognized officially.[14]

Player Season GP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% PTS PPG Ref.
Larry Bird 1986–87 74 786 1,497 53% (.525) 90 225 40% (.400) 414 455 91% (.910) 2,076 28.05 [15]
Larry Bird (2) 1987–88 76 881 1,672 53% (.527) 98 237 41% (.414) 415 453 92% (.916) 2,275 29.93 [15]
Mark Price 1988–89 75 529 1,006 53% (.526) 93 211 44% (.441) 263 292 90% (.901) 1,414 18.85 [16]
Reggie Miller 1993–94 79 524 1,042 50% (.503) 123 292 42% (.421) 403 444 91% (.908) 1,574 19.92 [17]
Steve Nash 2005–06 79 541 1,056 51% (.512) 150 342 44% (.439) 257 279 92% (.921) 1,489 18.85 [10]
Dirk Nowitzki 2006–07 78 673 1,341 50% (.502) 72 173 42% (.416) 498 551 90% (.904) 1,916 24.56 [18]
Steve Nash (2) 2007–08 81 485 962 50% (.504) 179 381 47% (.470) 222 245 91% (.906) 1,371 16.93 [10]
Steve Nash (3) 2008–09 74 428 851 50% (.503) 108 246 44% (.439) 196 210 93% (.933) 1,160 15.68 [10]
Steve Nash (4) 2009–10 81 499 985 51% (.507) 124 291 43% (.426) 211 225 94% (.938) 1,333 16.46 [10]
Kevin Durant 2012–13 81 731 1,433 51% (.510) 139 334 42% (.416) 679 750 91% (.905) 2,280 28.15 [19]
Stephen Curry 2015–16 79 805 1,598 50% (.504) 402 886 45% (.454) 363 400 91% (.908) 2,375 30.06 [20]
Malcolm Brogdon 2018–19 64 378 748 51% (.505) 104 244 43% (.426) 141 152 93% (.928) 1,001 15.64 [21]
WNBA

The WNBA, with a much shorter regular season than the NBA (34 games to 82), has lower limits than the NBA for qualification purposes. To qualify, a player must make 100 field goals, 25 three-pointers, and 50 free throws. All other statistical considerations are identical to those indicated above for the NBA.[22]

Player Season GP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% PTS PPG Ref.
Elena Delle Donne 2019 31 220 427 52% (.515) 52 121 43% (.430) 114 117 97% (.974) 606 19.54 [23]

Near misses

Other players have been very close, but still failed to completely meet the criteria for an official 50–40–90 season.

NBA

Missed by less than 1.0%

Six players, over eight attempts (two repeats), missed the 50–40–90 mark by less than 1.0 percent Four of these players – Bird, Curry, Nash and Nowitzki – did achieve official 50–40–90 seasons during their careers. The following table highlights, with color and asterisks, the statistical categories in which these six players fell short.

Player Season GP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% PTS PPG Ref.
Larry Bird 1985–86 82 796 1,606 50% (.496)* 82 194 42% (.423) 441 492 90% (.896)* 2,115 25.79 [15]
Jeff Hornacek 1990–91 80 544 1,051 52% (.518) 61 146 42% (.418) 201 224 90% (.897)* 1,350 16.88 [24]
Steve Nash 2006–07 76 517 971 53% (.532) 156 343 45% (.455) 222 247 90% (.899)* 1,412 18.58 [10]
José Calderón 2008–09 68 320 644 50% (.497)* 82 202 41% (.406) 151 154 98% (.981) 873 12.84 [25]
Steve Nash (2) 2010–11 75 399 811 49% (.492)* 81 205 40% (.395)* 227 249 91% (.912) 1,106 14.7 [10]
Dirk Nowitzki 2010–11 73 610 1,179 52% (.517) 66 168 39% (.393)* 395 443 89% (.892)* 1,681 23.0 [18]
Dirk Nowitzki (2) 2013–14 80 633 1,273 50% (.497)* 131 329 40% (.398)* 338 376 90% (.899)* 1,735 21.69 [18]
Stephen Curry 2017–18 51 428 864 50% (.495)* 212 501 42% (.423) 278 302 92% (.921) 1,346 26.39 [20]

Missed minimum makes by less than 15%

Two players missed the official 50–40–90 list above by finishing the season without meeting the needed minimum figures to be considered a statistical season leader in the respective category that particular year (minimums have varied over the decades).[13] The miss can also include one or more "miss up to two of 50.0% - 40.0% - 90.0% by less than 1.0%" added to the shortfelt numbers. The following table highlights, with color and asterisks, the statistical categories in which these players fell short. The minimum requirements to be listed here are: within 15% of the needed made shots in no worse than two of the three categories.

Player Season GP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% PTS PPG Ref.
Mario Elie 1996–97 78 291* 585 50% (.497)* 120 286 42% (.420) 207 231 90% (.896)* 909 11.7 [26]
José Calderón 2007–08 82 367 707 52% (.519) 79* 184 43% (.429) 109* 120 91% (.908) 922 11.2 [25]

WNBA

Missed by less than 1.0%

Four players missed the 50–40–90 mark by less than 1.0% in one (or more) of the 50.0% - 40.0% - 90.0% criteria required. The following table highlights, with color and asterisks, the statistical categories in which these four players fell short.

Player Season GP FG FGA FG% 3P 3PA 3P% FT FTA FT% PTS PPG Ref.
Penny Taylor 2010 32 173 340 51% (.509) 46 104 44% (.442) 117 131 89% (.893)* 509 15.91 [27]
Kara Lawson 2012 34 169 343 49% (.493)* 74 172 43% (.430) 100 107 93% (.935) 512 15.06 [28]
Kristi Toliver 2012 34 197 401 49% (.491)* 64 151 42% (.424) 137 152 90% (.901) 595 17.50 [29]
Allie Quigley 2017 31 191 378 51% (.505) 77 179 43% (.430) 50 56 89% (.893)* 509 16.42 [30]

References

General
  • "Player Season Finder: For single seasons, in the regular season, from 1979–80, requiring Field Goal Pct >= .495 and 3-Pt Field Goal Pct >= .395 and Free Throw Pct >= .895, sorted by ascending player". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
Specific
  1. ^ Powell, Shaun (October 7, 2010). "All-Shooting Team: Five guys with 'the touch' make the list". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on October 12, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  2. ^ Casciaro, Joseph (April 14, 2016). "Curry joins exclusive 50–40–90 club after historic shooting season". theScore. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  3. ^ "Statistical Minimums to Qualify For NBA League Leaders". Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Delle Donne first in WNBA to join 50-40-90 club". ESPN.com. September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  5. ^ a b "The vanguards: Rating Nash amongst the best". canada.com. Postmedia Network Inc. January 3, 2007. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  6. ^ "Player Game Finder". Basketball-reference .com.
  7. ^ "Player Game Finder". Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  8. ^ Velazquez, Matt (March 13, 2019). "Steady sharpshooter Malcolm Brogdon is on pace to join an elite club filled with Hall of Famers and MVPs". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  9. ^ "Spurs In His Side". National Post. National Post Inc. September 17, 2010. Retrieved October 21, 2010.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Steve Nash Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  11. ^ Cohen, Richard M., and Neft, David S.: The Sports Encyclopedia: Pro Basketball Edition, St. Martin's Press, 1990.
  12. ^ "Minimum Stats for Leaders". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  13. ^ a b "Rate Statistic Requirements". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  14. ^ Ballard, Chris (2009). The Art of the Beautiful Game: The Thinking Fan's Tour of the NBA. Simon and Schuster. p. 37. ISBN 9781439141175.
  15. ^ a b c "Larry Bird Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  16. ^ "Mark Price Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  17. ^ "Reggie Miller Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  18. ^ a b c "Dirk Nowitzki Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  19. ^ "Kevin Durant Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  20. ^ a b "Stephen Curry Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved August 26, 2017.
  21. ^ "Malcolm Brogdon Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  22. ^ "Statistical Mininums". Women's National Basketball Association. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  23. ^ "Elena Delle Donne WNBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  24. ^ "Jeff Hornacek Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  25. ^ a b "José Calderón Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 19, 2010.
  26. ^ "Mario Elie Stats". Basketball Reference. Retrieved October 21, 2010.
  27. ^ "Penny Taylor WNBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  28. ^ "Kara Lawson WNBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  29. ^ "Kristi Toliver WNBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
  30. ^ "Allie Quigley WNBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
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