NBA 3-Pointer Problem Being focused on... what's the solution?

[JackOfNoTrades]

Widen the court. Easy fix

You could make it the length of a soccer pitch. Conditioning and practice will make it irrelevant in time.
They'll call them 4's...or 5's...same style...same result....BORING!

 

[MarathonMike]

Widen the court. Easy fix

Um yeah except that the official court size hasn't changed since the NBA was created in 1946. Not so easy a fix. Players are bigger and faster so I'm not saying it's a bad idea, it's just not as simple as moving the 3 point line back a foot all around.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

Um yeah except that the official court size hasn't changed since the NBA was created in 1946. Not so easy a fix. Players are bigger and faster so I'm not saying it's a bad idea, it's just not as simple as moving the 3 point line back a foot all around.

Leagues have made far greater changes to balance their games before. As stated before, just look at the NBA.
1. Installing a shot clock
2. Installing a 3 point line
3. Not allowing certain defenses

All of those make a far greater effect on the game than an overall 2-3ft wider court.

 

[Couchpotato]

A few things have happened that have spearheaded discussions about 3-pointers in the NBA.

1. For years, 3's have skyrocketed upwards, and I'd say a majority of fans don't like players just running up and down the floor jacking up 3's.
2. The other night, a team made like 30+ 3's in one game, a record.
3. Also the other night, 72 3's were shot in a game.
4. A dead carcus, otherwise known as Adam Silver NBA Commisioner, said there needs to be more balance in the game.

All of these are true and point to what most fans want... less 3's. But how do you do it?

First off, a few things:
1. We are seeing the culmination of players who have trained their entire lives to value the 3 as a routine, expected shot, and perfecting it. This wasn't true in the 80's, 90's, even 2000's. During those times even "sharp shooters" weren't jacking up 10-15 3's a game as many do today. Quick, widespread jacking up of 3's started with the 7-second suns, but was then taken to another level by the Rockets in the 2010's, who went straight Moneyball and pretty much said "Layup or 3".
2. The data says to do exactly what teams are doing. analysis says that an in-rhythm 3 has just as good of a chance to be made as contested mid-range jumpers. So basically, it's either 5-8ft shots/layups/dunks or trying to get a 3 pointer.

So there's no general reason for teams to stop. This is where the carcus, Adam Silver, has to come in. Some ideas?
1. Make the court wider, and back the line up by 2 ft. The NBA has made major changes previously. Hell, they went from no 3 point to having one.. they also moved the 3 point line closer in the mid 90's when scoring was down for 2 years, then moved it back to the original distance.
2. Make a number of 3's a team can shoot that can count as a 3 before they just become long 2 point shots.

What do you guys think? How do you solve the 3-point crisis?

1. Eliminate the corner 3. Just run the 3 point line in an actual arc into the out of bounds line. It's impossible to defend and it's almost 2 feet closer to the basket.

2. Cap the number of made 3's allowed. You can still shoot them they just count as 2 instead of 3 after a certain number. 15ish? The mid range jumper has been eliminated because the made basket percentage of the mid range shot isn't high enough to overcome the extra point you get from behind the arc. Eliminate that advantage and shooters will begin shooting that mid range jumper again. It also takes away the "whoever is hot from 3 wins" game that's essentially being played now.

3. Let teams decide where the 3 point line is going to be on their court at the beginning of the year. This is definitely a more radical idea but teams would then have to build squads that could win in different ways. MLB stadiums arent all built the same way. The short porch in right field of Yankee stadium, the Green Monster in Boston etc. A team could even decide to not have a 3 point line, and build their team to play to that style. Again this is definitely a radical change but it would make the game interesting IMO.

At the end of the day pro sports (all sports for that matter) are just entertainment and right now the NBA is far from entertaining, and that's why people aren't watching. One of the big reasons the NFL is and continues to be the top dog is they arent afraid to make changes (they do it every year) and even big sweeping changes are made to keep it entertaining. Kick off this year is a prime example.

 

[Couchpotato]

In the ASG?...who cares? It's a showcase. Let em vomit 3's and tomahawk jams.

the point is that's boring. People dont enjoy watching players just jack 3's all game.

 

[jwoodie]

Widen the court. Easy fix

How about just continuing the circle and/or eliminating the short sideline 3 pointer?

 

[Mr. Friscus]

How about just continuing the circle and/or eliminating the short sideline 3 pointer?

That can work too. They have multiple problems, the 3 point line is at the forefront right now

 

[Couchpotato]

That can work too. They have multiple problems, the 3 point line is at the forefront right now

I dont think just moving the 3-point line back a foot or even 2 will solve the problem the more I think about it. The NBA average from 3 is 36%. The mid-range average would have to be well above 50% in order to make the shooting a mid-range jumper equal to taking a 3-point shot. I don't know if moving the 3-point line back evens out the analytics. Right now, there's basically one way to play in the NBA, everyone is doing it and it's boring. You have to do something to break that up.

 

[hondo 50]

You seriously want to change the rules for a team that's hurting itself? lol

 

[JackOfNoTrades]

the point is that's boring. People dont enjoy watching players just jack 3's all game.

In the regular season and playoffs...sure.
But in a one-off ASG...let em jack the 3's

 

[Couchpotato]

In the regular season and playoffs...sure.
But in a one-off ASG...let em jack the 3's

They are doing that and people are t watching. That’s the point.

 

[American Eagle]

The solution is the have the 4 point line and call it the Curry zone.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

The solution is the have the 4 point line and call it the Curry zone.

That’s moronic. Then people will be jacking up longer shots on a more common basis.

The NBA can continue to spiral in ratings if it wants… but there’s a a clear problem in 3 point shots that a majority of fans note.

They can pretend it’s not there, but it’s there, and isn’t going anywhere

 

[Mr. Friscus]

1. Eliminate the corner 3. Just run the 3 point line in an actual arc into the out of bounds line. It's impossible to defend and it's almost 2 feet closer to the basket.

I wouldn't be opposed to that at all, it would eliminate a bunch of this random "spacing" basketball

2. Cap the number of made 3's allowed. You can still shoot them they just count as 2 instead of 3 after a certain number. 15ish? The mid range jumper has been eliminated because the made basket percentage of the mid range shot isn't high enough to overcome the extra point you get from behind the arc. Eliminate that advantage and shooters will begin shooting that mid range jumper again. It also takes away the "whoever is hot from 3 wins" game that's essentially being played now.

I thought of this, but after considering it don't like the option. I think the first option you mentioned would solve much of the defense's ability to guard the 3.

3. Let teams decide where the 3 point line is going to be on their court at the beginning of the year. This is definitely a more radical idea but teams would then have to build squads that could win in different ways. MLB stadiums arent all built the same way. The short porch in right field of Yankee stadium, the Green Monster in Boston etc. A team could even decide to not have a 3 point line, and build their team to play to that style. Again this is definitely a radical change but it would make the game interesting IMO.

I love this. I'm all for teams changing things up to fit their needs.

Hell, the NHL has outdoor games called the "Winter classic" a few times a year... I say the NBA should have streetball games that every team has to play at Rucker Park.

 

[Mr. Friscus]

I dont think just moving the 3-point line back a foot or even 2 will solve the problem the more I think about it. The NBA average from 3 is 36%. The mid-range average would have to be well above 50% in order to make the shooting a mid-range jumper equal to taking a 3-point shot. I don't know if moving the 3-point line back evens out the analytics. Right now, there's basically one way to play in the NBA, everyone is doing it and it's boring. You have to do something to break that up.

I'm not being at all condescending, but I think your concerns aren't as big as you think in the nitty-gritty of basketball.

1NBA players have become so skilled at the 3 that they have no problem shooting a 3-pointer 2-3 feet behind the line in rhythm, which players have yet to fully expect because they have to defend the fake/drive. If you extend the 3-point line, that "surprise" element is gone, the shot is just more difficult, and you can't catch defenders off-guard.

I think the perfect fix is to move the line back 1-2 ft and have it not available beyond the free-throw line as it circles around the court. Defenders could not worry about being caught off guard by 27ft 3's and better defend them, they wouldn't have to cover a full modified semi-circle of a 3point threat, and by statistics the percentages would drop to better balance the risk-reward.

Unfortunately, Adam Silver is a dead carcus who won't take any definitive stand on anything, is afraid to offend anyone, and is more concerned about social issues than his product, which has spiraled downward significantly since he became the commish.

 

[American Eagle]

That’s moronic. Then people will be jacking up longer shots on a more common basis.

The NBA can continue to spiral in ratings if it wants… but there’s a a clear problem in 3 point shots that a majority of fans note.

They can pretend it’s not there, but it’s there, and isn’t going anywhere

lol