The three-point line is just something we all take for granted these days when we watch NBA games. It’s funny to think that it’s only existed in the pro league since 1979.
Depending on which league and level you’re looking at, the distance of the three-point line differs. The NCAA and WNBA put the three-point line 22 feet, 1.75 inches from the center of the basket while the NBA’s arc is 23 feet, 9 inches from the center of the basket.
There have been a lot of strong opinions over the years about whether or not the three-point line needs to be updated as offenses have changed the way they operate to account for it. Count analytics expert Kirk Goldsberry among those who feel that way.
“It’s time to move the three-point line. Especially the corner three, which is the most boring shot.”
Analytics expert @kirkgoldsberry calls for the NBA to innovate by moving the three point line and eliminating the boring corner three.
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— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) May 8, 2024
“It wasn’t that long ago that the NBA was reputed to be in an innovator. Not afraid to change the game in ways that would make the game a little bit more appealing. Does the NBA need to change the game some
“It’s time to move the three-point line,” Goldsberry said in response to a question from Mike Ryan Ruiz on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz. “Especially the corner three, which is the most boring shot. It’s the smartest shot in basketball, but you know what else, it’s boring. Nobody wants to see P.J. Tucker over there. Nobody wants to see Malik Beasley doing that. We want to see Anthony Edwards dunking, breaking guys down off the dribble. We want to see LeBron dunking. We want to see the best players making the best plays.
“Simply put, the corner three has become too easy for too many players.” It’s one in ten shots in the NBA now. Nobody wants to see that number. And every time someone shoots a corner three, that’s something else that’s not happening. So that shot shouldn’t even exist.”
Goldsberry seems to be saying that corner threes should be moved back from the current 22-foot range. That would be a significant change in the way NBA games are played.
