The 3-point-line was an unwelcome addition to the National Basketball Associated during the 1979-80 season. Many fans saw it as a gimmick and did not agree with the use of the line, but then the NBA began to market 3-point-shooting and dunking and fans began to use it as extra entertainment. The first NBA three-point field goal was hit by Boston Celtics shooting guard Chris Ford. Little did anyone know that the three-point shot would be such a critical focal point in success.
Usage Rate Increase in NBA
The three best NBA teams, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Clevland Cavaliers have all used the line like never before. Only 6 years ago the Orlando Magic lead the league by attempting 25.5 three-points shots per game. The 2016/17 NBA season saw the Houston Rocket launch 40.1 attempts and leading the league by over 7 shots. The Clevland Cavaliers were in second shooting 33.9 per game and Golden State was fifth at 31.5. One thing that has not increased too much is the percentage at which the shot goes in. Golden State lead the league completing almost 39% of their attempts. The Orlando Magic team from 6 years ago completed 36% of theirs and the Houston Rockets team from the last season only completed 35%. There is about a 4% increased over the league average from those respected seasons.
Stephen Curry is being considered the “best shooter ever” at the age of 28 and holds both records for most three-pointers in a season and a single game. On the last game of the 2015-16 NBA season, Stephen Curry needed to hit 8 threes to reach an incredible milestone of 400 in one season. He was able to pull in one of his best games of the season knocking down 10 and finishing with a record 402 in a single season. Stephen owns the top 3 and 4 out of the top 5 for most three-pointers in a single season. The next closest total is fellow teammate Klay Thompson with a total of only 276. Stephen has set a very high standard for three-point shooting and is influencing the younger generation to be just like him.
The Younger Generation
Many older NBA players still believe that the three-point line is being overused and isn’t the answer to winning a championship. That hasn’t stopped the younger generation of up-and-coming basketball players from shooting because they are shooting more and more every year. With the growth of social media, we have a view behind the scene of even the up-and-coming superstars. An example of one of these players is Lamelo Ball, the youngest brother of the famous Ball brothers. His older brother Lonzo is a rookie point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. The middle brother LiAngelo Ball is going into his freshmen season with the UCLA Bruins.
Social Media
The access to social media is helping grow the game as well. The average player gets behind the scene access to superstars workouts. People use it as motivation because they want to try to mold their game around their favorite player. Overal social media has driven the growth of the game and done so much for the awareness of the sport. The three-point is just a small part of the overall growth of the game around the world.
My Conclusions
I believe that more NBA teams should begin to transition over to shooting more three-pointers. The shot is very marketable. The younger generation has taken interest in it because they want to be like Steph Curry. Other Superstars like Kevin Durant and James Harden are doing the same thing. The Ball Family is making millions of marketing their children the Ball Brothers. Everyone wants to be like LaMelo because he hit a half-court shot in the middle of a game. Young players want to be like Lonzo because he is the future of the Los Angeles Lakers. Everyone should embrace the line because it is the future and it worth more than average 2-pointer.
