FROM GIMMICK TO ESSENTIAL

The three point Field Goal (3P-FG) has been used in the NBA since 1980.  It started slowly and over time has become an integral part of the NBA offensive game.  The number of shots taken and the efficiency has increased dramatically.  On average it makes up about one in four shots taken in the NBA today.

Don Buse of the Indiana Pacers ABA.  One of the great 3point shooters.

Even though the 3P-FG had been tried on various occasions in some college games and some of the first organized leagues, it did not gain popularity and didn't stick with the public until the ABA (American Basketball Association), a rival league to the NBA in the late 60's and mid 70's ( 1968 to 1976 - 9 years) rolled it out in 1968.  The ABA was characterized by a free wheeling offensive game that featured the 3P-FG, the slam dunk, all done with a red, white and blue basketball.  It is the place where the legendary "Dr. J", Julius Erving and other greats initiated their pro careers.  The NBA and ABA merged for the 76/77 season with 4 ABA teams ( Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets and San Antonio Spurs) moving to the NBA as the ABA went out of existence.  In the first All-Star game after the merger, 10 of the 24 All Stars were former ABA players, which speaks to the quality of the players.

Julius Erving vs Dan Issel of the Denver Nuggets

However, it was not until the 79/80 season that the NBA adopted the 3P-FG amidst opposition of some NBA people who said it was a gimmick ( something designed to draw attention and publicity without having any real value). Thirty six years later, the ABA would be proud to see the art form of the current 3P-FG in today's game. An essential part of today's game. George Mikan, the first ABA commissioner thought the three point shot would benefit the little guy (guards) and open up the inside game dominated by big men.  As we see today, it has also benefited the big man with the good shooting touch.   Although made popular by the ABA, the 3P-FG was never more than 4 to 6.5% of the shots taken in the league compared to around 25% of the shots taken today.

The incomparable Julius Erving of the New York Nets ABA

The table below shows the evolution of the 3P-FG in the NBA from 1980 to the present.  I took a snapshot every 10 years ( 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010) plus last year and a projection of this year after 35 games played per team.  

YEAR	TEAMS	3 P MADE	3 P ATT	3 P %	2 P MADE	2 P ATT	2 P %	2P+3P ATT	AVG SCORE
1980	22	64	227	28.0	3515	7205	48.8	7432	109.3
1990	27	179	541	33.1	3225	6605	48.8	7146	107.0
2000	29	397	1125	35.3	2623	5607	46.8	6732	97.5
2010	30	527	1487	35.5	2564	5212	49.2	6699	100.4
2014	30	635	1766	36.0	2458	5040	48.8	6806	101.0
2015	30	630	1795	35.1	2427	4974	48.8	6769	100.4

From 227 attempts per team in 1980 to 1766 per team last year, and from a low of 28% shooting to a record high 36% last year, the once thought of "gimmick" is now essential to scoring.  Last year 7 NBA teams took more then 2000 3-pointers with the Houston Rockets leading the league with 2179 of 6602 total shots for an average of 33%, or 1 in 3 shots.  The low scoring Memphis Grizzlies, 96.1 ppg last year, took the least 3 pointers with 1147 for the season, 1032 less than the Rockets.  
Notice how the amount of total shots taken per team has dropped from the 80's and 90's as the 3 pointers have increased, accounting probably for the lower scoring we see today.

Steph Curry dazzling the Blazers defender

The Golden State Warriors boast the best shooting back court in the game today with the "Splash Brothers", Steph Curry and Klay Thompson who last year averaged a spectacular 3 point shooting % ( Curry 42.4 and Thompson 41.7) while scoring over 42 points per game ( Curry 24.0 and Thompson 18.4).  They are the poster boys for efficient long range shooting. Even this display of firepower is not enough to guarantee winning games.  It is vital but needs to be combined with an inside game and strong defense to navigate the tough NBA playoffs.

Klay Thompson and Steph Curry  on the break against Denver.