What’s the best way to score a basket?

When I was growing up, the answer to that question was, you needed to get as close to the rim as possible. Get the highest percentage shot you could. Boy has that changed.

We have 12 Players who have already taken over 200 three point attempts — and 3 more on the cusp.

As you can see no one shooting that many is all that accurate. It’s a good thing the NBA brass is so good at individual player marketing. Something they mastered in the mid-eighties when they made Michael Jordan their cash cow.

Am I being old man Dave? Am I being slow to adapt to this new wave of hoop?

Hell yes to both questions!

But Dave the NBA has never been so popular than it is now. They have a Billion dollar tv deal.

Kim Kardashian is famous because the media told you so, Donald Trump is is president because of shock value, TMZ made a lane because of Americans failure to mind their own business. My point? Most people will consume whatever is on a glowing screen. Hell, we have 7 foot tall players who no longer play tough inside basketball, because it’s easier to get noticed for — occasionally — knocking down a long distance shot.

All 7 foot tall players! Disgusting ain’t it?! If you’re wondering Brook Lopez averages just 5.3 Rebounds per game! That’s it. What happened to our beloved game?

 

This guy happened. Wardell Stephen Curry. This is not by his design no. Technically he did nothing wrong. But the NBA is a copycat league. It’s human nature. Curry took the league — and the world by storm.

The 3-point shot was introduced to the NBA in the 1979-80 season. It was a concept borrowed from the ABA, whose commissioner at the time, the prophetic George Mikan, suggested that the new line would give smaller players “a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans.”

Well, I guess that worked. Much like the way we, as Americans are desensitized to violence because of movies, tv shows, and more recently the internet — we are also desensitized to bad basketball. Mostly because we see so much of the same. The same style of play, day in and day out. We are programmed to seek out the exhilarating, aesthetically pleasing plays. That’s why most people think the San Antonio Spurs are boring. LeBron James ( can’t believe I’m referencing him) may be the most effective player in the league, and most people would agree the most popular. He only attempts 4 three’s a game.  And at 6’8  has more rebounds then the above mentioned Brook Lopez, and averages more assist then the majority of these shot chucking point guards. Is it talent that puts him ahead in the two categories? No. It’s the willingness to do what it takes to win.

If you do what you love the money will follow

Not the other way around.

Players are chasing deals like these by trying to take the easy road there. Taking threes so often, is in the same family tree as settling. As refusing to put in hard work on other aspects of your game. Not realizing you are becoming more one dimensional by the day.

By todays standards I’m considered a hater, but I’m stating my truth how I see it. And if you do think I’m hating, then you enjoy dumbed down entertainment.

Do you see what’s wrong with this picture? If you don’t you’re part of the problem. ✌🏿