Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a sport with a lot of variations in rules and regulations across different leagues. The most common scoring methods are 2-pointers and 3-pointers, with some leagues introducing 4-pointers. A 6-pointer is purely hypothetical and has only been referenced in a comic strip about Kobe Bryant and Mark Cuban. The closest real-world occurrence to a 6-pointer is a 5-point play, which is considered very rare.
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Four-point plays
There is no mention of a six-pointer in basketball, but the sport does have a four-point play. A four-point play is a rare occurrence in basketball when an offensive player shoots and makes a three-point field goal while being fouled by a defensive player. This results in a shooting foul and one free throw attempt, or a two-point field goal, and the player is awarded two free throws. If the player makes their free throws, they will have scored four points in a single possession.
The four-point play was first introduced by the short-lived American Basketball League and was later adopted by the American Basketball Association during its inaugural season. The National Basketball Association (NBA) introduced the rule in 1979, and since then, it has become more common. With the emphasis on three-pointers as a key weapon for top scorers, four-point plays are now a semi-common occurrence in the NBA. The more players shoot three-pointers, the more likely they are to be fouled, increasing the odds of a four-point play.
Some notable NBA players with the most four-point plays include Steph Curry, with 72 four-point plays, and James Harden, with at least 70. Jamal Crawford previously held the record with 54 four-point plays over his NBA career.
The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Big3 league have also adopted different forms of a four-point line, with the PBA being the first major professional 5x5 basketball league to integrate a four-point field goal. The Harlem Globetrotters, a basketball exhibition team, have a four-point field goal 30 feet from the basket and previously had a four-point circle.
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Three-pointers
A three-pointer, also known as a three-point field goal, is a shot taken from beyond the three-point line in basketball. The three-point line is a designated arc surrounding the basket, and the distance from the basket to this line varies depending on the competition level. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the arc is 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 meters) from the center of the basket. In other competitions, such as the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the arc is set at 6.75 meters (22 feet 1.75 inches).
The three-pointer was first introduced by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961, with the aim of adding excitement to the game and differentiating it from the NBA. Despite initial resistance and concerns that it was a gimmick, the three-point shot quickly gained popularity. The Eastern Professional Basketball League adopted it in the 1963-64 season, and the American Basketball Association (ABA) also played a role in popularizing it during its 1967-68 season. The ABA commissioner, George Mikan, believed that the three-pointer would "give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans."
In the NBA, the first successful three-point shot was made by Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics on October 12, 1979. Over time, certain players became known for their expertise in three-pointers, including Dale Ellis, who became the first NBA player to reach 1,000 three-pointers in 1994, and Reggie Miller, who surpassed Ellis as the NBA's all-time leader in three-pointers in 1997. The three-point shot has now become an integral part of basketball strategy, with players specializing in this area and teams employing specific tactics to maximize their chances of scoring from beyond the arc.
The three-pointer has had a significant impact on the game of basketball, changing offensive and defensive strategies and creating new opportunities for players of varying sizes and skill sets. It has also added a layer of excitement and unpredictability to the sport, with the potential for quick shifts in momentum and dramatic comebacks always looming.
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Point guards
In a basketball game, the point guard (PG), also called the one or the point, is one of the five positions in a regulation basketball game. The point guard is usually the team's shortest player, standing between 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) and 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) in the NBA and 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) or shorter in the WNBA. They are also the team's best ball handler and passer. Point guards are quick and good at driving and short-range shots, and they can often create shots for themselves and their teammates. They are also able to hit shots outside the key, depending on the player's skill level.
There are usually two types of point guards: scoring point guards (also known as lead guards) and facilitator-type point guards. Scoring point guards, such as Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard, have the ability to shoot from three-point or mid-range distance and can also score around the basket with floaters, acrobatic layups, or dunks. Facilitator-type point guards, on the other hand, have a high basketball IQ and can anticipate plays before they happen. They are masters of the half-court set offense and know the correct spots for each teammate.
Some of the greatest point guards in NBA history include Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, John Stockton, Oscar Robertson, and Gary Payton. Johnson won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) three times, the most for a point guard, while Johnson and Curry are the only point guards to win the NBA MVP, Finals MVP, and All-Star Game MVP awards in their careers. Stockton holds the NBA record for assists, and Payton is considered one of the greatest point guard defenders of all time.
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Shooting guards
The shooting guard is one of the five common basketball positions, with the primary role of a player in this position being to score points, typically near the perimeter areas of the court as well as near the basket. The shooting guard is generally denoted as the number 2, the two-guard, or the off-guard, and the typical abbreviation for this position is SG.
The shooting guard's main job is to shoot the ball, which has become especially important since the three-point line was added. A strong shooting guard can force the defense to play on the perimeter, opening up passing lanes to get the ball inside. The number one skill needed to be a good shooting guard is the ability to make pure jump shots and three-pointers consistently, and be willing to take them when the game is on the line. A shooting guard should also be able to shoot with a quick release and take shots directly after receiving a pass without dribbling.
Since the point guard will have the ball more, shooting guards need to learn how to move without the ball. In certain instances, the shooting guard could score near the basket via low post moves, particularly within basketball offense strategies that provide a level of versatility such as the Swing offense. The shooting guard could utilize a quick first step to blow by their defender and get to the rim and score before their defender can recover.
In addition, the shooting guard could perform one or more basketball dribbling moves such as a crossover dribble or a between-the-legs dribble to break down the on-ball defender. Following that, the shooting guard could attack the rim and score points. Additionally, the shooting guard could make use of the on-ball screen and then score at the rim via a layup, dunk, or floater after the dribble penetration. If the shooting guard does not have possession of the ball, it is still possible to score by simply cutting to the basket when the opportunity presents itself.
Although not the primary ball handler, the shooting guard still needs to be an excellent ball handler, as it can help when trying to get the ball up the court against the press and when creating their own shot off of the dribble. Field goal percentage and points per game are the top stats for measuring the performance of a shooting guard. A well-rounded shooting guard will also have decent assist and rebound stats.
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Power forwards
In the NBA, power forwards usually range from 6' 7" (2.01 m) to 7' 0" (2.13 m), while in the WNBA, they are usually between 6' 0″ (1.83 m) and 6′ 3″ (1.91 m). Some power forwards have become known as "stretch fours" due to extending their shooting range to three-pointers.
Some notable power forwards include:
- Karl Malone
- Lauren Jackson
- Vern Mikkelsen
- Tina Thompson
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Chris Webber
- Kevin Garnett
- Dolph Schayes
- Kevin McHale
- Charles Barkley
- Dennis Rodman
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