The 3 pt Shot.

MelroseHawkins

MelroseHawkins

Well-Known Member
Referring to the evolution of the 3pt shot, undoubtedly young kids and players grow up practicing that shot earlier and more often. The 3 pointer has been around for what must be around 30 or so years now. Mid 1980's??

Going back years, am I correct that a player shooting 30-35% from 3 was regarded as a top 3 point shooter? It seems like 35% or around there seemed to be the hallmark of a 3 pt shooting threat on a team. Now it seems pretty standard & the top shooters are well withing the 45% or even over 50% range.

I go back to the young age kids are practicing and mastering the shot.

I just remember when around 30% was regarded as "lethal" and is now around 50%. Heck, if a player shot around 30% now they would be regarded as a average or even bad 3 pt shooter.
 
I think I remember them experimenting with the existence of the 3 point shot off and on throughout the 80's, but it was here to stay as of the 1986-87 season IIRC.

I've watched some of those old 1986-87 Iowa games, and it was interesting that team did not shoot a lot of 3's even though it was available and they had some guys who could make it. They got most of their offense by pounding the ball in the paint, getting to the FT line, and then fast breaks via running on other team's makes/misses, turnovers off the press, etc.

I can't vouch for the percentages, but it wouldn't surprise me if the national leaders are making higher %'s now than they were back then. Just so much more focus on it.

I'd also add that it's great seeing an Iowa team that truly benefits from it this year, rather than it being a detriment and having our opponents regularly outscore us from behind the arc.
 
MelroseHawkins said:
Referring to the evolution of the 3pt shot, undoubtedly young kids and players grow up practicing that shot earlier and more often. The 3 pointer has been around for what must be around 30 or so years now. Mid 1980's??

Going back years, am I correct that a player shooting 30-35% from 3 was regarded as a top 3 point shooter? It seems like 35% or around there seemed to be the hallmark of a 3 pt shooting threat on a team. Now it seems pretty standard & the top shooters are well withing the 45% or even over 50% range.

I go back to the young age kids are practicing and mastering the shot.

I just remember when around 30% was regarded as "lethal" and is now around 50%. Heck, if a player shot around 30% now they would be regarded as a average or even bad 3 pt shooter.
Click to expand...


I would say:

< 30%= poor 3 point shooting
30-35%=average
35-40%=decent
>40%=great
 
Total game changer. It seems that high school kids are practicing that instead of the 15' shot. I think anytime you can shoot around 40% or better in college, that's pretty damn good
 
NEIChawk said:
Total game changer. It seems that high school kids are practicing that instead of the 15' shot. I think anytime you can shoot around 40% or better in college, that's pretty damn good
Click to expand...

Yes, it's really the mid range shot that can seem to be the toughest for many players, that 12 -17 ft shot. After 17, might as well make an attempt from 3. It has really changed the game.

It makes that team with John Johnson (who recently passed away) even more impressive as they averaged over 100 pts a game without a 3 pt line or shot clock.
 
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Advanced stats have shown that good teams chuck threes and good coaches and nba franchises have learned how to create good looks at three.

I gotta think that on time coaches ŵill learn how to better shut down the three point line
 
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