extend the three point line!

[Victorious]

Since I have read some complaints in different basketballforums on the net I would like to make it an official topic:

The three point distance in European/Euroleague basketall has to be extended.

Some of the games are getting really boring. Eight out of ten results are decided by three-point percentages. If a team shoots well they win, if they have a bad day, they loose.

I really adore the European teamplay compared to the NBA, but I don't like the fact that the game is totally focused on threepoint shots. There is not much exitement in seeing a threepointshot go in. At least not from the current distance.

I think that Uleb must seriously consider to extend the threepoint distance in Euroleague games. It can stay the same in the Ulebcub and the in the national leagues (since the game level is considered to be lower), but it has to be extended in the elite league of Europe.

That's only 24 stadiums. This can easily be covered financially.In case someone claims that it would be too expensive.

[rayo1985]

No, no, no! I dont want to see NBA in Europe. I like this rules and I'm totaly NO.

[MikeMaccabiFan]

It's not about NBA in Europe, it's about balancing a game. May be there's a need to introduce 3 sec in defense too?

[jaka13]

I personally like the 3-point-shoot game.

[T.W.Is.M.]

100% for the extension of the 3p line!I'm tired of counting each team's 3p percentage in every game.

[wardjdim]

May be there's a need to introduce 3 sec in defense too?

I don't like this idea so much. The game will become too much individualistic in the paint then and it will limit the defensive effectiveness of all teams.

[MikeMaccabiFan]

I don't like this idea so much. The game will become too much individualistic in the paint then and it will limit the defensive effectiveness of all teams.

It could give the balance - and more points from the paint...

[Victorious]

the European line is 6.25 m. The NBA line is 7.15 m. I was thinking of something like 6.90 m.

[rikhardur]

I'm not that skeptical as to the extension of the 3-point line. It's undeniable that in some games it becomes a banal festival of threes, with some teams losing games just because they had a bad day. The issue should start being discussed imo.

[Levenspiel]

I support the proposal. However, NBA courts are wider and longer than the FIBA ones, and changing the 3-point line might necessiate the expansion of FIBA courts also.


Some relevant info from wikipedia:

The distance to the three point arc has changed several times in the history of basketball, although it has always been approximately 20 feet. The rules for the international, United States amateur, and North American professional versions of the game each specify slightly different distances. In the 1979-1980 season the three-point arc was moved back to its original 23’ 9", while the college range is 19’ 9", and the international distance is 20’ 6" from the center of the basket.

[elaj]

I don't really know what to say about this idea. I'm not really against it, but on the other hand I like triples in the game. Firstly, the extension of the three point line would make the game even more quicker than it already is. The game would lay more on individualisem, like in NBA, and clearly not about team play so much (thats why I perfer European basketball and not NBA), because there would be more space for individual actions. If somebody would ask me, I wouldn't change it.

[Sarevok]

If they move 3 point line I am sure players would adapt to it in few years, so we would have similar percentages. There would be a need to defend more space, that would lead to situations where players are left alone on 3-point shot more often than today, and that would cancel effect of greater distance...so we would have same percentages as we have today
Anyway, we can discuss this but we are not the one that decide anything, so it is pretty pointless

[woma]

There is one thing that I really hope will be done in a near future, I really have enough of games when teams are only shooting for 3. For sure it will bring more individual plays, but for me this will help offensive side of european basketball, which IMHO is way too defensive oriented - I especially hates all the charges attempts. This will also help big guys too operate inside, since they will have more space - and for me is a positive, since these days it's way too easy to double and tripled-teamed them. We need bigger court and 3 point line moved, to at least around 6.90-7.00 m.

[Victorious]

I support the proposal. However, NBA courts are wider and longer than the FIBA ones, and changing the 3-point line might necessiate the expansion of FIBA courts also.


Some relevant info from wikipedia:

The distance to the three point arc has changed several times in the history of basketball, although it has always been approximately 20 feet. The rules for the international, United States amateur, and North American professional versions of the game each specify slightly different distances. In the 1979-1980 season the three-point arc was moved back to its original 23’ 9", while the college range is 19’ 9", and the international distance is 20’ 6" from the center of the basket.

I proposed to extend the line in the Euroleague only. That's just 24 teams and even lesser stadiums (since some teams share the same arena). Most teams allready have more than enough space for it. They just have to adapt the the courpaint.

[Victorious]

If they move 3 point line I am sure players would adapt to it in few years, so we would have similar percentages. There would be a need to defend more space, that would lead to situations where players are left alone on 3-point shot more often than today, and that would cancel effect of greater distance...so we would have same percentages as we have today
Anyway, we can discuss this but we are not the one that decide anything, so it is pretty pointless

I don't think that will happen. Shooting the ball at about 7.00 m is a huge difference. Every cm above 6.25 makes all the difference. People who play basketball know this.

Even if a part of what you say is true (That the percentages whon't change that much), the result would be very postive. Since I don't want it to affect the Euro(league) game too much. I just want that the game is not all focused on 3p shots.

[Victorious]

Anyway, we can discuss this but we are not the one that decide anything, so it is pretty pointless

If the fans start discussing it. Sooner or later it will be discussed by someone who actually may have something to say about it.

Never underestimate the power of the people!!!

[Joško Poljak Fan]

no need to change to 3point lane- players didn't make any progress on their shooting in the last 20 years- quite the opposite, because of their physical improvement their shot suffered along with it...
If referees would be more strict with setting screens, there would be less chances to score from an easy 3 pointer. The way PF's and C's improved physicaly in the last 10 years, their set screens also became more physical as well. Strict measures on moving while setting screen is imho enough to lessen the impact of 3 pointers.

Also it wouldn't really be that bad if teams without the basic knowledge about zone defense wouldn't play it because it's popular, no wonder they get bombed with treys.

Agreed with Sarevok on what would happen with bigger court and 3pointer though... and unless we are talking about a meter longer 3 pointer, percentages wouldn't suffer either...

[T.W.Is.M.]

Extending the 3p line will open the defences and create spaces as many of u already said.The result will not b just increased dependance on individual play, but also more room 4 the tall players.The game will probably get quicker and more spectacular, so it will b more fun 2 watch.
Notice also that the trend on tall players is that they should b able 2 shoot well from outside.A power forward now must shoot(e.g. Garbajosa) and lately we've seen a few centers step outside the paint and shoot(Drobnjak, Bouroussis).The evolution of these might b building a bball team with 12 shooters with quick feet(so that they can defend also).5 years ago every team had at least one center at around 2.10.Now half of these centers have disappeared and the ones that were pf's then play as center now.One of the reasons that bball is so exciting 2 c is that it's a sport that players of various heights and body types can play and provide with impressive plays.I'm afraid in a few years this won't b applied...
Matiz it's always nice reading your posts, sometimes they give me an alternative view that I hadn't thought about.I still have the same opinion, but your argument is rather interesting.

[Sarevok]

I just compared Euroleague and NBA 3-point stats. Median value for EL (24 teams) for this year is 36%. CSKA is best long distance shooting team (41%) and Lotomatica is worst one (29%). Median value for NBA (30 teams) is 35%. Best team has 40% and worst one 33%.
If NBA 3-point line is 90 cm further (as someone said above) I dont see big difference in percentage.

[Czarkazem13]

The three point distance in European/Euroleague basketall has to be extended.

Agreed.