The NBA has witnessed a significant rise in three-point shooting over recent years, prompting discussions about its impact on the game’s quality and future. Daryl Morey, the Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations, is among those who have expressed grave concerns. He argues that the increasing reliance on three-pointers is ruining the game of basketball. The league is struggling through a historic slump in the efficiency of three-point attempts. The Houston Rockets infamously led this charge on their way to a 65-win, record-setting 2017-18 season.
In that magical season, the Houston Rockets became the first team to… They were the first team to ever make more threes than twos with a franchise-record 65 wins. The team’s approach, often referred to as “Moreyball,” emphasized the efficiency of long-range shots and influenced many teams to adopt a similar style. Even with these significant strategic changes, a recent in-depth analysis reveals fans to be mostly upbeat about the current brand of basketball. Some voices within the league have raised concerns over the homogeneity of offensive strategies and the potential need for regulatory changes.
The Rise of the Three-Point Shot
One other interesting thing to note is that over the 2010s, the NBA has seen a dramatic increase in the rate of three-point shooting. This trend reflects a broader shift in basketball strategies, with teams prioritizing efficient scoring methods. Under Daryl Morey’s leadership, the Rockets were a historic and unprecedented success. They took a data friendly approach that allowed them to capitalize on as many scoring opportunities as possible.
Morey’s overall philosophy was anti-mid-range, preferring shots from three or going for high-percentage close-range attempts in the paint. The league as a whole is shooting two-point shots 42%—very slightly better than their overall three-point accuracy. This efficiency gap helps explain why most teams today prefer the three-pointer as their go-to offensive weapon.
Even at the collegiate level, NCAA Division I men’s basketball games featured more three-point attempts per game than NBA games. Unfortunately, this trend was apparent as recently as the 2018-19 season. This widespread adoption indicates that the three-point revolution is not limited to professional basketball but is shaping the future of younger players and teams.
Concerns Over Homogeneous Playstyles
Despite the general acceptance of increased three-point shooting, some stakeholders have expressed concerns about its impact on the game’s diversity and aesthetic appeal. Philadelphia GM Daryl Morey has been loud and clear with his opinion that an over-reliance on three-pointers is dangerous to the sport’s health.
“We have hit the point where [the 3-pointer is] turning toward making the game worse.” – Daryl Morey
Morey argues that encouraging players to prioritize three-pointers over open mid-range shots or layups could diminish the game’s strategic complexity.
“If the best players in the league taking wide-open 8-to-15 foot shots is worse than a heavily contested, off-the-dribble 3, that is bad for the game,” – Daryl Morey
His comments have tapped into a more widespread discussion about whether new emphasis on certain tactical trends is resulting in more uniform, boring styles of play.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has indeed listened to these concerns, and has been noncommittal about future iterations, still willing to make changes that may improve on them.
“We’re paying a lot of attention to it,” – Adam Silver
He struck a positive tone on where the game stands today while still leaving the door open for further advancements.
“I’m never going to say there isn’t room for improvement. We’ll continue to look at it and study it, but I am happy with the state of the game right now.” – Adam Silver
Potential Regulatory Adjustments
As discussions continue around the impact of three-point shooting on basketball, there is speculation about possible regulatory adjustments to restore balance. One such idea is changing the size of the court or the value of shots to incentivize more varied offensive approaches. The international basketball governing body FIBA responded by raising its three-point line to 22 feet, 1.75 inches. This amendment is meant to alleviate similar concerns on the ice.
As NBA Vice President of Basketball Strategy and Analytics Evan Wasch has said, they are willing to reconsider if changes need to be made.
“We’re not just here with our heads in the sand. On this issue, I think what we’re saying is there may be space for changes, but we’re not at the point where something drastic is needed.” – Evan Wasch
The league’s survey tracker and social media sentiment analysis show a divided fanbase. Some fans enjoy the excitement of high-scoring games and highlight reel long-range goals. At the same time, fans become tired of a perceived “same old same old” approach from teams.
Despite these debates, recent playoff performances by teams like the Boston Celtics demonstrate that success is still achievable with high three-point rates. They’re probably No. 1 seeds this fall. That success serves as an example of how more thoughtful and strategic integration of three-point shooting into larger, more coherent plans can lead to success.
Leave a Reply