Some rules changes in major sports transform the game in a good way. The pitch clock has done precisely what Major League Baseball hoped. It dramatically improved the pace of play and shaved nearly half an hour off the length of games.
Others, like the new NFL kickoff rule, have flopped. The league was hoping the new format would increase the amount of kick returns. Instead, teams would rather let the opponent start at its own 30-yard-line, instead of risking a long return.
The NBA rules haven’t really changed much in recent years, save for a few tweaks here and there. However, the game itself has been impacted dramatically by analytics. Mid-range shots and postups have been deemphasized in favor of 3-point attempts and driving to the basket for layups and dunks, or least setting up high percentage shots.
The proliferation of 3-point tries has been arguably the biggest change in the game in recent decades. Last season, for example, the champion Celtics attempted a whopping 42.5 3s per game. In contrast, the 2008 championship club averaged 19.1 3-point tries per game.
Coaches around the league rarely say their teams are shooting too many 3s; usually they’re hoping to find ways to increase 3-point attempts.
Is it time for the league to make the 3-pointer less important? The NBA isn’t going to erase the 3-point line but it could limit the amount a team takes. Or it could make all baskets two-pointers until a certain time structure, say the last three minutes of each quarter.
That would lead to more strategic moves by the league’s coaches. If there were a limit on 3s, coaches might instruct their players to “save” some of the allotment for later in the game.
If 3-pointers only counted for a certain time period, coaches would be certain to make sure their best perimeter shooters were on the floor when beyond-the-arc shots count for three points. Mid-range shooting and postups would have more of a place in game strategy when all baskets count for two points.
That brings up to today’s topic: Would you like to see the NBA take steps to limit 3-point shooting or do you prefer the status quo? If there were limitations, what type of rule or rules would you like to see the league adopt?
Please take to the comments section to weigh on this topic. We look forward to your input.
Just…..WHAT?
Yeah I don’t know it’s just basketball. You drive, you kick, that’s been the game forever.
I was always good at driving and beating my man and then confronted with the big guy, I would kick it out to the shooter.
It’s been part of the game forever. I guess it used to be more mid-range shots before the three came around but now the shooter is standing on the other side of the line so it’s a three. Game is still the same.
Setting limits on 3s would be the dumbest rule they ever made. The only thing I would accept and still watch as far as 3s go is to move the line out further.
Kind of an out there question “the game quality is the best its been, should we stop it?”
The game is awesome, way better overall quality compared with the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s. This is 100% because of Steph Curry, who in 2014 was shooting 48% from 40+ feet while the rest of the league shot 7%. So anyone who can shoot can now win games, which is better than when the game was too hands-on, more like a rugby hybrid, than actual basketball. In addition, bigs like Joker and Giannis have succeeded by backing down the D for the high % bucket. The best players can be any size or any style, there’s more ways to become a superstar now, all thanks to Steph Curry.
To the contrary, the NBA should make longer shots score more than 3 points. From the other end of the courts 3 point area is 5 points, the rest of the area between that back half 3 point arc area and the half court line should be 4 points. Would make more late games closer and winnable.
These suggestions feel very gimmicky and seemingly require a level of game management that lives outside of basketball.
I’d rather enable defenders to be more aggressive at the line than artificially limit the shooters. Let the game shift inside naturally.
Not to mention I can’t see the players union agreeing to changes that effectively make 3 pt role players extinct overnight.