Basketball - Players have invented (insane!) shots to counter NBA defenses
One of the biggest reasons today’s NBA is dominated by three-point shooting is simple—modern defenses have forced players to adapt. In the past, teams packed the paint, daring opponents to shoot from outside because the mid-range and post-up were the go-to scoring options. But as defenses became more sophisticated—using switching schemes, rim protectors, and aggressive help rotations—players realized the best way to break them down was by stretching the floor as much as possible. The math is undeniable: three is worth more than two, and with spacing at a premium, elite shooters have turned deep-range shooting into the ultimate counterattack. Instead of driving into a crowded lane, players now rise up from beyond the arc, punishing defenders who sag off even slightly.
The explosion of three-point shooting isn’t just about individual skill—it’s about how teams construct their offenses. The most dangerous modern offenses, from the Warriors’ motion-heavy system to the five-out spacing of teams like the Celtics and Mavericks, thrive on pulling defenders away from the rim and creating open shots through ball movement. Defensive schemes built to clog the paint now find themselves stretched thin, as players have become comfortable launching threes from absurd distances. The traditional big man who once thrived solely in the post has had to evolve—centers like Nikola Jokić and Kristaps Porziņģis now stretch the floor, while guards and wings, from Steph Curry to Tyrese Haliburton, have mastered quick-trigger releases to fire before defenses can react.
But perhaps the biggest reason players are taking—and making—so many threes is confidence. A generation ago, taking a 30-foot shot was considered reckless. Now, it’s a weapon. The success of sharpshooters like Curry and Damian Lillard has rewritten the rules, proving that deep threes aren’t just possible, they’re efficient. Defenders are left scrambling—do you press up and risk getting blown by, or sag off and watch a three splash in your face? With modern analytics proving that open threes are the most valuable shot in basketball, teams have fully embraced the strategy, and today’s stars have the skill and range to make defenses pay for even the smallest mistake.
