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How Mapping Shots in the NBA Changed It Forever
- siruncledrew 7y agoThe 2014-2015 NBA season is the transition point where 3 pt attempts (3PA) started to take off among teams: https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2015.html https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2015.html In 2015, only 10 out of 30 teams averaged above 25.0 3PA/game. The league average was 22.4 3PA/game. This season (2019), all 30 teams averaged above 25.0 3PA/game. The league average was 32.0 3PA/game. The 3pt shot is becoming more common, going from 27% of all field goal attempts (FGA) in 2015 to 36% of all FGA in 2019. The Rockets, Warriors, and Cavs (until Lebron left), were among the leaders in 3PA, and they have also been top teams the last few seasons. My thought is that other teams are trying to be "fast followers" and boost their 3pt shooters in order to stay competitive against these top teams with great 3pt shooters (e.g. Curry, Klay, Harden, Gordon). The volume of 3pt shots being taken by players today is unprecedented. For example, Ray Allen (known as a 3pt shooting specialist), had a career high of 8.4 3PA/game during the 05-06 season, which was absolutely bonkers at that time when the league average was 16.0 3PA/game for an entire team. This season, Harden's average was 13.2 3PA/game alone, which is more than what 9/30 teams averaged in 05-06.