The NBA 3-Point Line

[TMagic]

This thread came to mind after catching CZar on Twitter saying he doesn't enjoy watching the game as much now because of the nature of the game in it's current state. Maybe some of you saw this tweet

I then perused the replies to see what people had to say and they, unsurprisingly, had similar feelings about today's basketball; complaints about too many threes, pnr, copycat, analytics, rule changes, etc

And it got me thinking...would the game be a more interesting game with the 3point line, dare I say it, REMOVED?

Now, I will say that I do not have the same sentiments as Czar. I find today's game to be a more enjoyable viewing experience than it's past iterations. It's funny because someone replied with a clip of Harden isoing for a solid 7 seconds before draining a three. And I'm thinking to myself, "that's just the same thing as dudes back in the day standing around and letting a guy post up for 5 seconds or longer before putting up a shot". Different strokes.

I will say that that is not my favorite team to watch just like it isn't for most. I'm just not as bothered by it as most. But I digress. Lol

What my question is for those who care to answer though is would we see a better balance and an improved viewing experience overall with the three point line removed completely?

I understand the analytics and why we have this sharp spike of three point attempts. I understand why Tatum reworked his game to be more efficient by focusing on two things that the league as a whole have adopted into their offensive strategy... getting threes and layups. I get it.

But what would be loss if there was no three point shot at all? Just thinking about it quickly, I'm not sure that personnel make up of the team would have to change all that much. I would think a good team would still want good shooters on the court for spacing. These guys I presume would still be taking open looks to keep defenses honest. I still think the pick n roll would be the main method of attacking as it would remain one of the most difficult plays to defend.

But where I do think it would change things up is curtailing some of the "settling" we see with guys quick to take a three instead of working to get a better shot. And I do think we'd see a more diverse league in terms of offensive strategy. Some teams mimicking what we have currently. Meanwhile others taking an inside out approach, allowing their bigs to be the biggest threats. And everything in between.

That variety aspect I find most intriguing. But like I said, I still enjoy today's product as a whole when comparing it to games in the past.

Thoughts?

[Master Live 013]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

My thoughts are if ain't broke, don't fix it.

Houston shoots the most 3's per game: 46.4 attempts.

Houston shoots 45.2 2's per game.

It doesn't get more balanced than that.

Houston is the only team that shoots more 3's than 2's per game.

What is balance? 80 2's and 10 3's per game?

No, I wouldn't enjoy the game more without the 3 pointer.

Same with that silly "make a 3 point foul be worth 2 FT's".

Stop it, leave the game alone.

[AlexBrady]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

The problem is if the triple line was removed teams would just clog the paint to protect the rim. The game would basically be reduced to an outside shooting contest.

[TMagic]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

My thoughts are if ain't broke, don't fix it.

Houston shoots the most 3's per game: 46.4 attempts.

Houston shoots 45.2 2's per game.

It doesn't get more balanced than that.

Houston is the only team that shoots more 3's than 2's per game.

What is balance? 80 2's and 10 3's per game?

No, I wouldn't enjoy the game more without the 3 pointer.

Same with that silly "make a 3 point foul be worth 2 FT's".

Stop it, leave the game alone.

Well we're not really talking about balance in terms of just twos and threes. We're speaking more so of balance in the approach of teams offensively and defensively. If there is no 3pt line, 2s vs 3s balance wouldnt exist anyway. Lol

Take the NFL for example. The Chiefs try to put points on the board with huge chunk plays offensively. Meanwhile the Patriots are more methodical and get up the field bit by bit until they can get close and punch it in. Then we have the Ravens who've built their entire offensive identity around Lamar Jackson who is anything but your traditional quarterback.

So when talking of balance in this scenario, we're really talking about balance in the way teams look to put the ball in the basket.

The problem is if the triple line was removed teams would just clog the paint to protect the rim. The game would basically be reduced to an outside shooting contest.

Would they really though?

Is Steph Curry any less of a threat than Deaaron Fox if the three point line is removed? I FEEL like if you take away the three point line, defenses would still have to play Steph no matter what. Teams are trying their damndest to keep him in check with his shooting currently and he still shoots 50/40. His perimeter shooting would only IMPROVE if defenses opted to "clog the paint to protect the rim" as opposed to sticking to him like glue...theoretically of course. Lol

[23]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

How you gonna write all that and not even post his tweet

Then talk about the 3 point line and that's not even what he said

Da_Czar
@Da_Czar
·
Nov 19
I have loved the NBA my whole life. I understand that the game changes and that change is good. But there is something about todays game now that lacks intensity and makes for long boring stretches when you watch full games. It desends into college hoops with NBA rules and uni’s

Where is the cap?

[cima]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

The game now is fun when shots are falling, but when you have a first half like last night between LAC/BOS where it was just both teams shooting and bricking a ton of 3's, nothing really entertaining about that.

[ojandpizza]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

Is shooting a lot of threes really much less entertaining than pace stalling to a near halt and throwing the ball into your post player for 40-50 touches a night? Even if the shot selection isn't your thing, I find it hard to argue that the up and down game and lots of ball movement compared to just a few years back isn't entertaining.

[jeebs9]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

Just for context... This was the tweet TMagic is talking about.


And this is the play he's talking about.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i1MOrNUn_vY?start=758" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

https://twitter.com/i/status/1196975551765827584

I'm on the fence for this stuff. Did everyone love the Kings with all the passing when they got hot. No one. I remember my high school coach complaining about that. And Houston hasn't won it all. So there is no need to complain lol.

[TMagic]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

How you gonna write all that and not even post his tweet

Then talk about the 3 point line and that's not even what he said



Where is the cap?

Because my post wasn't directly about what he specifically said.

If you read "all that" I wrote and wasnt so focused on calling people out all the time, you would have realized that sir

[The 24th Letter]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

Just as an aside...I really wish people would stop using the Rockets play as an overall example of today's game....they are the absolute extreme.

That wasn't really Czar's point, even though he's made it known not a huge fan of Harden's playstyle, lol

Some people just arent a fan of how the game is played now. As someone who just randomly watches current and classic games for fun, there is something in just about every era I'm not a fan of aesthetically...but I think the game has had healthy growth over the years...and I still enjoy the product.

To answer the threads question though, I dont think removing the 3 point line would really change much....or anyone's mind on the game.

[Smallville102001]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

I love watching sports and NBA is my favorite sport to watch. There are some things i don't like of course. There is way more talent in the nba now then ever before and its not even close. But i think the rules do favor the offensive side of the ball to much but really that is a problem in not just NBA such has how NFL has went over board with rules to protect the players, but has also made it harder to play on the defensive side of the ball. I wish NBA would just simple bring back hand checking and i hate the clear path foul. With how nba calls Flagrant fouls now days you basically cant foul a guy hard enough to take away a layup has any kind of foul that is hard enough to take away a layup could be called a Flagrant now. When it comes to how NBA has changed teams are shooting way more 3 pointers when they used to and pace of play is higher then it was say like 15-20 years ago but its still slowing pace then it was if you go way back. For example if you go back to 1970-71 season the average league scoring was 112.4 even though there was no 3 point line back then because teams played much faster. If you looked teams where averaging 98 shoot attempts per game and 32.7 foul shoots a game. Now compare that to last year average shoot attempts where just 89.2 or 8.8 less and foul shoots where 23.1 or 9.6 shoots less a game. That is a lot less on both a big reason for that is how much pick and roll is called now days compared to back then.

Now when it comes to the 3 point shoot i think it has gone over board. 1. To many guys are trying to shoot long like 30 foot 3 pointers and only a few guys are making those type of shoots at a ok or good %. 2. i think over all teams are just shooting to many of them with Rockets being the worse. I don't think any team can win a championship playing there style. I would say teams that are like middle of the league in 3 point attempts are shooting like around what the leading teams should be shooting. 3. I known people talk about how if you shoot 34% on 3 pointers that its like shooting 51% on 3 pointers. But its not that simple because there are good 3 pointers and bad ones. Like i would much rather a player shoot a open 15 foot jump shoot then jacking up a 27 foot 3 pointer with a guy right in his face. The analytics don't take in to account these type of things. There is such thing has taking what the defense gives you. There is a big difference between shooting a 27 foot 3 pointer with a guy right in your face compared to shooting a wide open 3 pointer that came from a pass and kick out on a player driving towards the basket. 4. I saw a video talking about this and thought it was a good point that today's nba is so much about taking away the 3 point line and paint points that the way defense is played today is a lot different then it used to be. Talked about how Spurs last year where one of the lower 3 point shooting attempt teams in the league yet one of the better offensive teams in the league. Now point of this is if you are playing a team that can score at the 3 point line,mid rang and layups instead of just 3 point line and layups its harder to defend them has there offense is less predictable and it can open up more of each in a way. 4. I think when teams are having a hard time making 3 pointer they to often will settle for 3 pointers instead of trying to drive into the paint. Its one thing to shoot like 20 3 pointers in one half if you are making them but if you are like 1-10 or 0-12 or something i think you should try to shoot a few less.

[23]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

Because my post wasn't directly about what he specifically said.

If you read "all that" I wrote and wasnt so focused on calling people out all the time, you would have realized that sir

I read "all that" and my point stands

I wasn't calling you out, I just asked why you referenced his post without at least posting it for context.

As we all know the internet perception is not whats going on in YOUR MIND.

[Majingir]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

The problem is if the triple line was removed teams would just clog the paint to protect the rim. The game would basically be reduced to an outside shooting contest.

If they remove the 3 point line and force more shots closer to the rim, it means more high contact shot attempts, meaning we'll see more fouls which is even worse.

I'd rather see these 100+ point games than some grind it out 86-79 game.


If theres a change to be made, it's with the officiating. Not the rules or scoring itself.

[tru11]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

i miss the post game.

i miss guys like t-mac and AI scoring at will.

i miss how physical the game used to be.

Its pretty boring now tbh.

[VDusen04]

Re: The NBA 3-Point Line

Removing the 3-point line would be an extreme measure that would have consequences that I believe most would find unsuitable.

If the league ever grew weary of today's super wide-open nature and a game predicated on nonstop driving and kicking through porous lanes, one of the first steps they could take would be to re-institute at least some basic degrees of defensive freedom.

I wouldn't want to go back to the 70's when an offensive player could be called for a foul simply for gently leaning the wrong way but I do think it'd be nice to rid of rule interpretations that now allow offensive players to initiate nearly as much contact as they want and still reap the benefit. My theory goes that if defenders were able to apply at least some semblance of resistance, perhaps the 3-point emphasis could be lightened just enough to make it slight more tolerable.

While we're at it, re-instituting some sanity to what constitutes a travel would reel things in a little too. We're at a time now where we've got dudes picking up their dribble and hop-scotching wherever they see fit knowing they can't be touched at any point in the process.