The 3-point shot

Donovan

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I was telling a fellow Gopher fan and co-worker today that I seem to be generally losing a bit of interest in basketball over the last few years (compared to football). I commented that it just seems that so many teams just pass the ball around the perimeter looking for a 3-point shot, and once in awhile attempt to work the ball inside. We started to question what would happen if the 3-point line was eliminated. I'd also love to see the palming eliminated. I'm talking about the palming that is constantly done nowdays by all ball-handlers.

Am I the only one to have these thoughts?:confused:
 

No you are not alone, Donovan. I have heard the same concerns from 3 or 4 other people in the last 10 or 15 years. :)
 

YUP

They could move the 3 point line out another 2 feet as far as I am concerned.

watching teams fling up 20 plus 3's a game is BORING.

IMHO.
 

Take away the three point line and the spacing on the floor is lowered, making drives to the bucket next to impossible.
 

The three point shot is becoming the end-all for success at the college level...which is why it is all the more frustrating that the Gophers have nobody that is a threat to make any at a consistent level. I disagree with you on the palming rant. The college game has too many whistles as it is. Every time an athletic guy pump fakes and drives, the ref calls traveling out of habit...I find it very annoying. Palming is too much of a subjective call at high speeds that I think refs would be making calls on plays that 'seemed' like a player was palming the ball. Also, if you cracked down on ball-handling infractions like palming, you will just dissuade players from trying to make drives to the hoop, thus making them more likely to jack up more threes. Damned if you do, damned if you don't sort of scenario.
 


I was telling a fellow Gopher fan and co-worker today that I seem to be generally losing a bit of interest in basketball over the last few years (compared to football). I commented that it just seems that so many teams just pass the ball around the perimeter looking for a 3-point shot, and once in awhile attempt to work the ball inside. We started to question what would happen if the 3-point line was eliminated. I'd also love to see the palming eliminated. I'm talking about the palming that is constantly done nowdays by all ball-handlers.

Am I the only one to have these thoughts?:confused:
There is a brave visionary on this board who has valiantly crusaded against the 3-point shot for years.
 

There is a brave visionary on this board who has valiantly crusaded against the 3-point shot for years.

The 3-point shot has ruined basketball plain and simple. Basketball as a spectator sport reached its zenith in the 1960's and 1970's with the Celtics, Lakers, Knicks, 76er's and other pro teams that would routinely score 120 or 130 points per game running the fast break.
 

As long as there is a shot clock, a semi-makeable 3-pointer is necessary.

Remember, the 3-point shot is also a deterrent to pack in the zone. With a long range shot being worth 2 points, allowing 40% is OK, if it's worth 3 points that 40% is now 60% of possible points.
 

As long as there is a shot clock, a semi-makeable 3-pointer is necessary.

Remember, the 3-point shot is also a deterrent to pack in the zone. With a long range shot being worth 2 points, allowing 40% is OK, if it's worth 3 points that 40% is now 60% of possible points.

A long shot can be taken without being rewarded with a extra point. It seems to me to be rediculous that a team be unable to produce a high percentage shot and then get an exta point for their lack of offensive skill. If a player is left open because the defense is staying close to home he will still take his shot. But, getting 3 points for it makes no sense to me.

Count me as one who doesn't like the 3 point shot.

I think it goes without saying that carrying the ball passes for skilled dribbling now days. When a player puts his hand under the ball and turns it over, the whistle should blow. Even if he is just walking the ball up the court.
 



I will disagree with the majority here. I love the three point shot. Some teams in today's basketball are not built to play inside against others. Gives many other teams a chance to hang with elite teams. I would say it is the equalizer in games. But I am a little biased because I think the swing offense is the best offense in college basketball. Without a three point shot, you lose all court spacing, you lose a lot of the ability to work inside out and vice versa. I wouldn't mind if it was moved out to NBA range, but in no way is the three point line a detriment to basketball. I like the variety, and the 3 line gives more teams and players the ability to play at a high level.
 

The 3-point shot was adopted in 1987.

Just so we have a starting point, here's a dump of statistical trends through 2007.

As we can see, the overall scoring averages are now about the same as the pre-3-point years. But actual number of actual shots are down (less action).

Statistical Trends
FG FG FT FT
Year T eams Games M ade Att. Pct. M ade Att. Pct. PF Pts.
1948 160 24.7 20.3 69.4 29.3 12.7 21.1 59.8 18.5 53.3
1949 148 25.3 20.7 67.4 30.8 13.4 21.7 61.6 19.4 54.8
1950 145 25.2 21.6 68.4 31.6 14.4 23.3 61.8 19.5 57.6
1951 153 26.0 22.8 68.9 33.1 15.1 24.1 62.8 21.4 60.7
1952 156 25.7 23.8 *70.3 33.7 15.8 25.3 62.6 *22.5 63.3
1953 158 23.8 24.0 69.1 34.7 21.1 *32.9 64.0 21.3 69.1
1954 160 24.6 24.4 67.8 35.4 21.0 32.2 65.2 21.0 69.0
1955 162 23.6 25.6 69.3 36.9 *21.6 32.4 66.5 19.0 72.7
1956 166 24.7 26.1 69.5 37.5 21.2 31.7 66.8 18.9 73.3
1957 167 24.6 25.8 67.6 38.2 20.4 30.3 67.3 18.3 72.0
1958 173 24.0 25.8 67.1 38.4 16.8 25.3 66.4 18.2 68.4
1959 174 24.3 25.9 66.2 39.1 17.0 25.4 67.1 18.2 68.7
1960 175 24.5 26.3 66.2 39.8 17.4 25.8 67.4 18.4 70.0
1961 173 24.5 26.7 65.6 40.7 17.4 25.5 68.2 18.2 70.7
1962 178 24.4 27.0 67.3 40.2 16.5 24.3 67.9 18.1 70.5
1963 178 23.5 26.6 63.8 41.7 16.3 23.9 68.2 18.2 69.5
1964 179 24.3 28.7 67.4 42.5 17.1 25.1 68.3 19.1 74.4
1965 182 24.8 29.2 67.7 43.1 17.4 25.2 69.0 19.3 75.7
1966 182 21.9 30.0 68.8 43.6 17.5 25.3 69.2 19.2 77.5
1967 185 24.9 28.9 66.0 43.8 17.2 24.9 69.0 19.2 74.9
1968 189 25.1 29.1 66.6 43.7 17.4 25.1 69.1 19.0 75.5
1969 193 25.3 29.1 66.4 43.8 17.4 25.4 68.4 19.0 75.6
1970 196 25.4 30.0 67.8 44.2 17.7 25.7 68.7 19.3 77.6
1971 203 25.8 30.1 67.8 44.4 17.5 25.7 68.1 19.3 *77.7
1972 210 25.7 30.1 67.2 44.8 17.5 25.6 68.6 19.2 *77.7
1973 216 25.8 31.2 69.6 44.8 13.1 19.2 68.4 19.2 75.5
1974 233 26.0 31.0 68.3 45.4 12.8 18.7 68.4 19.2 74.8
1975 235 26.2 *31.5 68.4 46.0 13.7 19.9 69.0 20.2 76.6
1976 235 26.6 31.0 66.3 46.7 13.8 19.9 69.2 20.2 75.7
1977 245 27.2 30.4 64.9 46.7 14.2 20.5 69.4 20.1 74.9
1978 254 27.2 30.1 63.6 47.3 14.3 20.7 69.2 20.2 74.5
1979 257 27.7 29.6 62.1 47.7 14.8 21.1 *69.7 20.6 74.0
1980 261 28.0 28.6 59.7 47.9 14.9 21.3 69.6 20.2 72.0
1981 264 28.1 27.8 58.0 48.0 14.5 21.0 68.9 20.1 70.1
1982 273 28.0 26.7 55.6 47.9 14.3 20.8 68.6 19.4 67.6
1983 274 29.0 27.2 57.0 47.7 14.5 21.2 68.5 19.9 69.3
1984 276 29.1 26.7 55.6 *48.1 14.8 21.4 68.9 20.0 68.2
1985 282 29.3 27.3 57.0 47.9 14.7 21.3 68.9 19.7 69.2
1986 283 29.5 27.4 57.3 47.7 14.7 21.3 69.1 19.6 69.4
FG FG 3FG 3FG FT FT
Year T eams Games M ade Att. Pct. M ade Att. Pct. M ade Att. Pct. PF Pts.
1987 290 29.6 27.2 58.7 46.4 3.5 9.2 *38.4 14.9 21.5 69.1 19.7 72.8
1988 290 29.6 27.6 58.4 47.3 4.0 10.4 38.3 15.2 22.0 68.9 19.7 74.4
1989 293 29.6 28.1 59.4 47.3 4.4 11.8 37.8 15.6 22.6 69.1 20.1 76.2
1990 292 29.6 27.5 59.5 46.2 4.7 12.8 36.8 15.6 22.6 68.9 19.8 75.3
1991 295 29.6 27.9 60.6 46.1 5.0 13.8 36.2 15.9 23.2 68.6 19.6 76.7
1992 298 29.5 26.7 58.4 45.7 5.0 14.0 35.6 15.9 23.3 68.1 20.0 74.2
1993 298 28.6 26.5 58.6 45.2 5.3 14.9 35.4 15.4 22.8 67.7 19.6 73.6
1994 301 28.7 26.8 60.6 44.3 5.7 16.5 34.5 15.6 23.2 67.1 19.9 75.0
1995 302 28.7 26.5 59.7 44.4 5.9 17.2 34.5 15.3 22.6 67.6 19.7 74.2
1996 305 28.7 25.8 58.5 44.1 5.9 17.1 34.3 15.1 22.4 67.4 19.4 72.5
1997 305 28.8 25.0 57.3 43.7 5.8 17.1 34.1 14.8 21.9 67.4 19.3 70.6
1998 306 29.1 25.3 57.7 43.9 6.0 17.4 34.4 14.9 22.0 67.5 19.4 71.4
1999 310 29.1 24.8 57.0 43.6 5.9 17.4 34.2 14.7 21.6 67.8 19.0 70.3
2000 318 30.0 25.0 57.4 43.5 6.1 17.7 34.4 14.5 21.2 68.1 18.9 70.5
2001 318 29.8 25.0 56.8 44.0 6.1 17.7 34.6 15.4 22.4 68.5 19.9 71.4
2002 321 30.2 25.1 57.2 43.8 6.3 18.3 34.6 14.8 21.5 69.0 19.2 71.3
2003 325 29.7 24.8 56.4 44.0 6.3 18.1 34.8 14.4 20.7 69.4 19.1 70.2
2004 *326 29.7 24.5 55.9 43.8 6.3 18.3 34.6 14.3 20.7 68.8 19.0 69.6
2005 *326 29.9 24.4 55.7 43.9 6.4 18.3 34.7 14.0 20.4 68.7 18.6 69.2
2006 *326 30.1 24.4 55.6 43.9 6.4 18.4 35.0 13.9 20.1 69.1 18.4 69.2
2007 325 *31.7 24.4 55.2 44.3 *6.6 *18.9 35.0 14.0 20.3 69.0 18.7 69.5
Year T
 

A long shot can be taken without being rewarded with a extra point. It seems to me to be rediculous that a team be unable to produce a high percentage shot and then get an exta point for their lack of offensive skill. If a player is left open because the defense is staying close to home he will still take his shot. But, getting 3 points for it makes no sense to me.

Count me as one who doesn't like the 3 point shot.

I think it goes without saying that carrying the ball passes for skilled dribbling now days. When a player puts his hand under the ball and turns it over, the whistle should blow. Even if he is just walking the ball up the court.

I don't see the 3 pointer as a bonus for bad offense as much as I see it as a penalty for packing in a zone. I for one like the 3-pointer, it keeps defenses honest and make them cover more of the floor.
 

Don't forget the shot clock

In 1985 the 45 second shot clock was introduced, in 1993 it was reduced to 35 seconds.

That also has to be taken into consideration.
 



they should also get rid of home runs in baseball, and get rid of field goals in football.








GET REAL THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
 

Brew_recruit...And also get rid of the javelin catching contest in the Olympics.
 

Too bad there wasn't a three point shot when Trent Tucker played. He would have been unstoppable.

As far as the three goes, what if it was moved back to the pro distance?
 

I was telling a fellow Gopher fan and co-worker today that I seem to be generally losing a bit of interest in basketball over the last few years (compared to football). I commented that it just seems that so many teams just pass the ball around the perimeter looking for a 3-point shot, and once in awhile attempt to work the ball inside. We started to question what would happen if the 3-point line was eliminated. I'd also love to see the palming eliminated. I'm talking about the palming that is constantly done nowdays by all ball-handlers.

Am I the only one to have these thoughts?:confused:

The 3-point shot is one of the few equalizers in college ball, giving lesser teams (like Portland) a shot to knock off the big dogs. It is a no-brainer that it is important to the popularity of the game.

Carrying is rampant. It's amazing that it doesn't get called more often. Same with offensive fouls (moving picks, leading shoulders, swim moves, etc.) and jump move travelling.

Maybe the 3-pointer should be moved out to the NBA or the International line; but to remove it would be a complete injustice to the game.
 


Maybe the 3-pointer should be moved out to the NBA or the <b>International line</B>; but to remove it would be a complete injustice to the game.


college 3 point line: 20 feet 9 inches.
international 3 point line 20 feet 6 inches.
 



they should also get rid of home runs in baseball, and get rid of field goals in football.

GET REAL THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
You miss the point. If baseball adopted the spirit of the 3-point shot, home runs over 400 feet would count two runs. And in football, TD plays over 40 yards would be worth 9 points.
 

I hate brush back pitches in baseball and have thought about making a hbp worth two bases. Of course that would trigger batters leaning into pitches trying to get hit.
I would eliminate the kicked pat in football and make a field goal worth fewer points as it was kicked from further out, say 2 points from over 30 yards and 1 point from beyond 40.
The three has helped basketball but perhaps it is too easy and should be moved back.
 

Hockey

You miss the point. If baseball adopted the spirit of the 3-point shot, home runs over 400 feet would count two runs. And in football, TD plays over 40 yards would be worth 9 points.
And a slapshot from beyond the blue line would be two goals?
 

IThe three has helped basketball but perhaps it is too easy and should be moved back.

I almost wanted to puke after watching the Gophers go 3 for 20 against Portland from beyond the 3-point line. Over-reliance on the 3-point shot is absolutely a crutch for players who are deficient in other offensive skills such as dribbling, passing, knowing where and when to pass, and medium range jump shots. Players like Blake Hoffarber would not even be on the team if the 3-point line didn't exist.

Only the best 3-point shooters make over 40% of their shots. Kobe Bryant only makes about 36% of his. Most players make less than 30% of their 3-point shots. That is just the kind of basketball I love - 60% to 75% of the shots clanking off the rim or backboard (if they hit anything at all) during the last couple of minutes of a close game.

Basketball is well over 100 years old and the 3-point shot has only been around since the 1980's. It is not too late to get rid of it and get back to the way basketball should be played.
 

Basketball is well over 100 years old and the 3-point shot has only been around since the 1980's. It is not too late to get rid of it and get back to the way basketball should be played.

Absolutely! These new-fangled rules have ruined Dr. Naismith's great game. Additionally:

- Dribbling was not originally part of basketball. Players were to remain stationary after catching a pass and couldn't move until either passing the ball to a teammate or shooting it (generally a two hand set shot or underhand). BRING THIS BACK!!!

- Peach baskets and ladders, please.

- Jump balls after all scored baskets. This up-and-down BS needs to stop!

Upnorth, you are truly a visionary.
 

Absolutely! These new-fangled rules have ruined Dr. Naismith's great game. Additionally:

- Dribbling was not originally part of basketball. Players were to remain stationary after catching a pass and couldn't move until either passing the ball to a teammate or shooting it (generally a two hand set shot or underhand). BRING THIS BACK!!!

- Peach baskets and ladders, please.

- Jump balls after all scored baskets. This up-and-down BS needs to stop!

Upnorth, you are truly a visionary.

I agree. Everything was better in the old days. 100 years ago the US didn't have a Federal Income Tax. I'd like to go back to those days. Which do you think will happen first the repeal of the Federal Income Tax or the 3-point shot? I'm going to hold my breath until one or the other occurs. Or at least until the Gophers make the Rose Bowl.
 




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