The first time that a three-point line was used in the NBA was in the 1979-1980 season. It was only an experiment. The original length at the top of the key was 23 feet, 9 inches, while the corners were 22 feet. The line was put in the game in order to spread the players out. Before there was a three-point line, most of the players crowded around the basket. The first player to score a three-pointer was Chris Ford. It also made scoring increase and created more excitement. The three-point line became permanent in the 1980-1981 season. In the 1994-1995 season, the line was shortened to 22 feet all the way around the basket. This change didn’t last long and was eventually changed back to its original length in the 1997-1998 season. The three-point line brought a new dimension to a game that was already very exciting.
http://hoopedia.nba.com/index.php?title=Three-Point_History
I find this story interesting, and I have a good interest in Basketball. I think that adding the 3 point line was definitely a good move because of the fact that it gives the offense more opportunities to score, and gives the defense different patterns to run. I can see how the game was without the three-point line, like you said, how everyone would be crowded around the paint. It makes sense, without a three point line, there really isn't a point going out of the way to make a shot, and players mind as well take their shot in the mid-range area. With the three-point line, I agree, that adds an even more thrill to the game of basketball. Great post
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brian, adding the 3-point line was definitely a good idea. This allowed players of a shorter stature succeed at basketball by getting good at shooting the long ball. If they didn't add the 3-point line, then the players would be getting taller and larger and they would eventually would have to move the net higher.
ReplyDeleteAdding the 3-point line also added a new strategy to the game. Instead of hoping your team gets the rebound, they can pass it around more hoping that the guy that shoots the 3-pointer gets open and makes the shot. It has also added more excitement to the game, when a player makes a last second 3-point shot to bring them into the lead as the buzzer sounds is one of the most exciting moments in any sport.
I also agree with the comment made in the post about how the addition of the 3 point line added excitement to the game. The simple addition of the 3 point line changed the game that we know today. New skill was needed to score from outside this new line and thus advanced the athleticism of the players. It also inflated the scores of the game making it more competitive and exciting to watch. Excitment meant that more fans would come to see the games and that was good socially and economically.
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