The current 3-point line is 23' 9". I'd be in favor of moving it to 25' 0" (and remove the corner 3). I'd also like to see a 4-point line at around 36' 0" (halfway between 25' and half court), then make the half court line (47' 0") a 5-point shot. That would add quite a bit more excitement and strategy ending games.
That would pretty much end 3-point shooting. Shooting 40% on 3-pointers would get you the same number of points as shooting 30% on 2-pointers.
40% make on 3s 3x.4 = 1.2 (Less 60% -1x.6 = -0.6) Net is yes 0.6 30% 2s 2x.3= 0.6 Wow good call out. Yeah the math showed it was the same at 50%.
The key was once much narrower, the shape of a "key", but the NBA expanded it because Wilt was too dominant. So why not roll back that change? It would balance the game out a bit, promote post play and big men. I get why people don't want to see teams take 40 3s per game. But the 3 does bring spacing to the game. People opine for the old days...but go back and actually watch some of those games, it was a slower more plodding game. I think the ratings dip is really because there are so many more entertainment options these days.
Honestly I could see them moving the line back a bit but there is no way they reintroduce the hand check. Right now their golden boy is Wemby. That kid would be reduced to a second string backup center if players are allowed to hand check him. Then you have Flagg coming up. Same thing there. It goes for a few other players as well.
You don't have to "reintroduce it" the way it was called before. Just interpret it less strictly. Like in Europe. Wemby is going to do fine in Europe for a long time.
I don’t think he would do well in the 80s so no I don’t think he’s built for the NBA with its size and athleticism with free and open hand checking.
Right, that's why I'm not suggesting free and open hand checking. I wouldn't want to get scoring down that much. Just enough to even the game out more. Like in Europe. I'd prefer rules changes that encourage play more like the 2014 Spurs. Though, that team would probably do just fine with current rules. Or any rules in any era. Passing, cutting, ball movement, player movement. Just beautiful basketball. I think it's less about changing rules and more about the interpretation.
If you make 40% 3-point shooting equal to 50% 2-point shooting that would solve problem. Currently, 40% 3-point shooting equals 60% 2-point shooting. 40% x 1.5 = 60% 4 x 3 = 6 x 2. So we should make four 3-pointers = 10 points (50% shooting on 2-pointers). 3 + 2 + 3 + 2 = 10 points. Make every other 3-point shot equal 2 points. Problem solved. No need to change other rules. This will make shooters taking the 3-point shot worth only 2 points think twice. There could be whole new interesting strategies around who takes 3-pointers and when. If the current/next made 3-pointer is worth 2 points, Victor Wembanyama might as well drive the lane instead of take a 3-pointer. You could tweak the rule to make all 3-point attempts in the last 2 minutes of a game/quarter/half worth three points. I don't care either way about that. Just make the 3-point shot less valuable over the course of a game would be the goal.
Yeah that's basically the same effective thing I posted the other week, it's makes threes worth 2.5 points each. My idea was have a 1pt bonus for every other "3", track it on the scoreboard with an extra arrow kind of like a possession arrow. So first three is worth 2 points, next 3, then 2, then 3 etc etc. could have all threes in the last minute worth 3. Probably lot of ways they could implement something along these lines that reduce threes value. Maybe the way to try something like this out is first do it in the Gleague, then the next year just do it during the 2nd quarter. Eventually have it for the whole game.
Changing the value of baskets will never fly, IMO, be it 2's and 3's and 4's, 2.5's, or alternating 2's and 3's. It would be too arbitrary to make sense to most viewers, and the name of the shots is generally the point value and embedded in pop culture. It's not like football where it's a touchdown/field goal/safety, and the point values could be tweaked without changing the names.
Scoring change is the solution: 3 is the new 2 and 4 is the new 3. This lowers the long shot premium.
I've now updated the poll choices to include a generic "change the scoring system" option. Feel free to update your selections if you would be on board with one of the multiple possibilities discussed (or even one that hasn't been)
I also posted this on the Around the NBA thread. Not sure the problem with the game is the 3 point shot. Yes they could extend it and make a couple changes. Overall I think the problem with the game is the obvious tanking by multiple teams. The lack of consistent referee's that seem to always reviewing a play. Last but not least by a long shot is the 6 or 7 different ways you have to go to find a game you want to watch.
