We will just have to agree to disagree then. Shots within 5 feet of the basket should be very high % looks. The only reason they wouldn’t be is if you are forcing stuff or need to improve your touch/layup package.
It’s called “dirty work” more because of the effort required vs acclaim you will get for performing such a task, as well as the metaphor of “taking out the trash/cleaning up after your teammates” (putback, etc.).
A player who attempts 9 shots per game inside 5 feet & misses most of them, isn’t being very efficient.
It is why a guy like Jonas Valanciunas always has a higher fg % than Steph Curry (much more favorable shot diet for JV), but Curry’s true shooting % is always a bit better. For comparison, Caitlyn Clark’s true shooting % is way higher than AR’s, despite the fact that CC isn’t even shooting close to what Curry is from 3 yet.
AR and CC are both shooting 40% from the field (Clark’s TS% is 9 pts higher though), but AR has the MUCH more favorable shot diet of 55% of her shot from with 3 ft, 86% from inside 10. Clark attempts 17% of her shots from inside 3 feet, 31% from inside 10, and 65% from 3-point range.
AR is 8th on her team in true shooting % and 10th in fg % within 3 feet. Even if you only accounted for players who attempt at least 30% of their shots from 3 feet, she would still only be 4th on her team.
AR is 25th in fg % within 5 feet among starting WNBA front court players (who attempt at least ~ 5 of those shots per game).
I just don’t think her offense is at a level where I would vote for her as rookie of the year (stats or eye test). I certainly agree that improvement can come with time and experience and am not trying to label her as a bad player.