Vit Krejci has been on a quiet "Linsanity" run of his own this season, posting two and three point percentages in the 95th percentile this season. Krejci is shooting 69.2% from two and 47.7% from three, making him the only player in the league to reach both marks among players who have shot more than 10 two and three point attempts. He also has the second-highest effective field goal percentage among players with over 50 three point attempts per game.
What makes Krejci’s rise more remarkable is that he began the season out of the rotation. At the tail end of the Atlanta Hawks’ preseason schedule, coach Quin Snyder rested the top nine rotation members. This cast included Luke Kennard and Mo Gueye, but not Krejci, who played point guard for the Hawks’ youngsters.
This trend continued into the start of the season, as Krejci was given four DNPs in Atlanta’s first six games. He only initially saw the floor for two games where the Hawks’ forwards were struggling with injuries. But that changed after the Hawks limped to wins over the dismal Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers after losing Trae Young. With Young out and the team performing below expectation, Snyder needed to change something.
One of Snyder’s changes was granting Vit a rotation spot, and this was the correct decision in hindsight. Vit had a slow start to the season, not playing poorly per se but having little impact. In a blowout against the Los Angeles Lakers, Krejci had his first truly impactful game. He chipped in 17 points in 24 minutes, led by his smooth slashing ability.
This match gave him the confidence to explode against the Clippers the following night. Krejci had one of the most entertaining shooting performances of the season that night, cashing in 8 of 10 threes, none more important than the game-sealing heave at the end of the shot clock. He finished with 28 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and the game-winning block on Nic Batum.
Krejci has been unstoppable since this outing. Over the past ten games, he has shot over 50% from deep on over six attempts a night and is cashing in his two point attempts at a ridiculous rate.
Of course, Krejci is bound to fall back to Earth. He probably won’t continue to shoot over 50% from downtown and be a 95th percentile two point scorer. Regardless, he has solidified his spot in the rotation, even upon Young’s return, and gives Atlanta an excellent option for a microwave movement shooter.