In basketball, shooters shoot, and the game grows more complex with every new generation of players. Some practices have been historically gimmicky, others have been all about the show, while the bulk has been all about the extreme pursuit of winning. The consistency of striving for greatness by any (rulebook-approved) means necessary is directly linked to sports excellence.
From the groundbreaking fast-break of Bill Russell’s titanic Celtics to the rise of the team-leading guard, basketball has seen a rise of necessary innovations to move the goalposts and make the game even more competitive.
Today’s basketball, more specifically, the NBA (the sport’s pinnacle), is the culmination of this evolution. In Kevin Garnett’s New York Times Interview with David Marchese, he employed his signature and beloved style when describing today’s game: ‘It’s creative. It’s competitive. It’s saucy.’
The 3-point shot is, perhaps, the most important vector in this dynamic. This article will look into the main factors of this evolution, how it changed the game, and why it made it outright revolutionary when compared to the (other) fundamentals of basketball!
Its Introduction – one of ABA’s Legacy Points
Lay-ups have a colloquial reputation that transcends basketball. They have become synonymous with the rudimentary act of grabbing the small and easy gain. The dunk is the legacy of its ban from the NCAA circuit and its popularization in the legendary NBA contests that have soared in popularity during the 1980s. However, Julius Erving was the progenitor of the spectacular slam dunk that we know, love, and revere.
We mention Dr. J and the dunk because they started their journey in the American Basketball League, just like the 3-pointer. While defunct and eventually taken over by the NBA, this league has a legacy that we need to mention so that we can pinpoint the genesis.
Indeed, it’s a bit disingenuous to start by saying that the ABA was the birthplace, but it certainly made it popular and viable. The 3-point field goal was first tested in the 1940s at the collegiate level, experimented with by minor leagues, and introduced by the ABA in 1967.
The 1970s, the heyday of the ABA, was strongly supported by Commissioner and Hall of Fame player George Mikan, the first of an illustrious line of Laker Legends. He believed that smaller players would benefit from this addition, not to mention the fans and the entertainment factor. Prophetic words, indeed.
The Rise of Speciality Shooters
After the fold of the ABA in early 1976, there was a 3-year gap until the NBA decided to adopt the 3-pointer. It’s only natural that this was also the year when Magic and Bird came into the league – a year when Dr. J himself made the only trey during the Finals.
While Magic was the floor general, Bird adopted an increasingly different type of ‘sauciness,’ which culminated in his 1988 victory in the 3-point contest during the All-Start Games. Naturally, theCeltics had the best 3-point percentage during that season.
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Author: Team Dunkest
January 14, 2025 | 11:00 am
