Sure but it’s the best general single, levelled (adjusted for minutes and pace) indicator of a player’s output. Not perfect but definitely relevant.
And the classic example of its relevance is Booker - hang around this board long enough and you’d think he’s one step away from the MVP trophy at times until you look at his PER and you scratch your head wondering why it’s so low...he can’t shoot very well is why.
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He won the 3pt contest this year. He's a good shooter. It's a matter of getting him better shots in the game though to increase his shooting percentage. Booker can and does shoot well but since he's stuck being one of two offensive options in our starting lineup he's forced to take a lot of shots every night. Warren is the only other somewhat consistent offensive player in the starting 5. Chandler/Len, Chriss/Bender, and Ulis/Payton aren't scorers. If the Suns can add another scorer this offseason I think we'll see Booker's shooting percentage get better because he won't have to force so many shots and he'll also have more possessions where he's not doubled by the opposition.
Booker's shooting percentage is very similar to other SG's who are the first option for their team. It should increase as he gets some help also. He's shooting 43% this year, Klay Thompson is shooting 46% for his career, James Harden is shooting 44% for his, Vince Carter is shooting 43% for his career, Kobe shot 45%, Ray Allen shot 45%, Tracy McGrady shot 43%, and Dwyane Wade is shooting 47% for his career but he doesn't have the range of the others or that Booker does. Of those players I think most people would say Wade is the worst shooter of the bunch but he has the highest shooting percentage. To me that says that shooting percentage doesn't tell the whole story when you're talking about scorers like Booker.