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In basketball, a money shot is a term used to refer to either of two distinct shots. The first is a shot taken from beyond the three-point arc, usually towards the opposing side of the court. This is considered a money shot because it is difficult to make and has a low probability of success. The second definition is more specific and refers to a shot taken by a spectator during halftime from the half-court line, which may be rewarded with a prize if made. The term money shot has also been used in the film industry, particularly in pornography, to refer to a scene that is disproportionately expensive to produce or is considered essential to the work's overall importance or revenue-generating potential.
Characteristics and Values of a Money Shot in Basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of shot | A shot from well beyond the three-point arc, towards the opposing side of the court |
| Difficulty level | Difficult to make |
| Probability | Low |
| Who takes the shot | A player or a spectator |
| Spectator shot | Taken from the half-court line during half-time |
| Reward | Monetary or a gift |
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What You'll Learn
Money shot meaning
In basketball, the term "money shot" is used to refer to one of two distinct types of shots. The first definition of a money shot is a shot taken from beyond the three-point arc, typically towards the opposing side of the court. This shot is considered difficult and has a low probability of being successful. Due to its challenging nature and potential impact on the game, it aligns with the broader sense of a "money shot" in film and media, which refers to a scene that is visually impressive, essential to the narrative, and often expensive to produce.
The second definition of a money shot in basketball is more specific and refers to a shot taken by a spectator or fan during halftime. This shot is typically attempted from the half-court line and may come with a monetary reward or prize if the shot is made. This definition aligns with the original usage of the term in billiards, where a "money player" was a skilled and reliable player who could be counted on to make difficult shots.
The term "money shot" has also been used in pornography since at least 1977, according to Steven Ziplow's "The Film Maker's Guide to Pornography." In this context, it refers to the moment when a male actor ejaculates, often considered the most important part of the film that the audience has paid to see. This usage may have originated from the idea of an actor being paid only if they can provide this crucial shot.
The broader application of the term "money shot" in film and media can be traced back to film critic Jane Mills, who suggested that it originally referred to an image or scene that was expensive to produce. This definition aligns with the use of the term in basketball, where a money shot is a challenging and often rewarding shot that can significantly impact the game.
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History of the term
The term "money shot" in basketball refers to one of two distinct shots. The first is a shot taken from beyond the three-point arc, typically towards the opposing side of the court. This shot is considered a "money shot" due to the difficulty in making it and the low probability of success. The second definition is more specific and refers to a shot, often taken by a spectator during halftime, from the half-court line. This shot may have a monetary reward attached to it if the shooter makes the basket.
The history of the term "money shot" can be traced back to its use in various fields outside of basketball, including film, video, television, and print media. According to William Safire, the word "money" has been used as a modifier meaning "powerful" or "decisive" as far back as 1949 ("money hits" in baseball) and possibly even earlier, to 1890 (a "money player" in billiards). By 1977, the phrase had taken on a new meaning in American slang, referring to the climactic scene or moment in a pornographic film. This usage was popularized by Steven Ziplow's book "The Filmmaker's Guide to Pornography", where he stated that the "come shot" or "money shot" was believed by some to be the most critical element of a pornographic film, so much so that everything else could be sacrificed for it.
The term "money shot" then transitioned to mainstream cinema, where it was used by filmmakers and critics to describe a visually dramatic or emotional scene that was expensive to produce or perceived as essential to the overall success or revenue-generating potential of the work. This broader usage of the term was reflected in Jane Mills' contention that the "money shot" was originally slang for the image that cost the most money to produce.
The concept of a "money shot" in basketball may have evolved from this broader understanding of the term, particularly in relation to the first definition of a "money shot" as a difficult and unlikely shot from beyond the three-point arc. This type of shot, when made, can be considered a climactic or decisive moment in a basketball game, similar to how a "money shot" functions in film or television.
Additionally, the second definition of a "money shot" in basketball, referring to a shot taken by a spectator for a monetary reward, also aligns with the broader understanding of the term. In this case, the "money shot" is quite literal, as the shooter has the opportunity to win money by making the shot. This usage of the term highlights the potential revenue-generating aspect of a "money shot," which is similar to how the term is used in other industries.
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Money shot in basketball
In basketball, the term "money shot" is used to refer to one of two distinct types of shots. The first definition of a money shot is a shot taken from beyond the three-point arc, typically towards the opposing side of the court. This shot is considered difficult to make and has a low probability of success, making it a high-value or "money" shot.
The second definition of a money shot in basketball is a shot taken by a spectator or fan during halftime. This shot is typically attempted from the half-court line and may offer a monetary reward or prize if the shot is made. In 2010, a Lakers fan won $235,000 after successfully making a half-court shot during halftime. Similarly, in 2017, a Dallas Mavericks fan won a Sony 4K television for making the same shot.
The term "money shot" has also been used in other contexts outside of basketball. In filmmaking, a money shot refers to a visually striking or memorable scene that is expensive to produce and is considered essential to the success or revenue-generating potential of the film. This term has also been used in pornography to describe a specific type of scene that viewers have paid to see.
In basketball strategy, the term "bank shot" is also sometimes referred to as a "money shot" or "money player." This is when a player uses the backboard to make a shot, as opposed to shooting directly at the hoop. Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs is known for his effective use of bank shots during his NBA career.
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Examples of money shots
In basketball, the term "money shot" refers to one of two distinct types of shots. The first is a shot taken from beyond the three-point arc, typically toward the opposing side of the court. This is considered a money shot due to the difficulty and low probability of making the shot.
The second type of money shot is a shot taken by a spectator during halftime from the half-court line. These shots often have a monetary reward or prize attached to them if the individual makes the shot.
- Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs dominated the New York Knicks in the NBA finals with his effective use of the bank shot off the backboard.
- Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic, and Trae Young are some of the NBA's greatest players known for their clutch and insane shots.
- In 2013, a fan at a Miami Heat game named Michael Drysch nailed a half-court shot and won $75,000. The crowd and players went wild, with Lebron James even tackling him in excitement.
- During halftime at a Dallas Mavericks game in 2017, a University of Virginia student named Gabriel Simmons made a half-court shot and won $19,000.
- In 2010, a Lakers fan was given the opportunity to win $235,000 with a half-court shot during halftime and successfully made the shot.
- At Oracle Arena in 2013, a fan won a BMW i3 by making a half-court shot.
- An MSU student, Joe Thompson, won $11,111 with a one-handed full-court shot.
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Money shot in pornography
In pornography, a "money shot" is a term used to describe the moment in a film or video where a male actor ejaculates, often on his partner's body. This can include the face, breasts, back, or buttocks of the female partner, or, in the case of gay pornography, the face or chest of the male partner. The term was first used in this context in 1977 by Steven Ziplow in his book "The Filmmaker's Guide to Pornography".
The money shot is considered by some to be the most important element of a pornographic film, as it provides proof that the sex is real and that the male actor is truly experiencing pleasure. This is especially important in an era where erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra can create doubts about the authenticity of the sexual performance.
The money shot also serves to mark the female partner as "territory or property" of the male actor, as described by Moore and Weissbein in their paper "Cocktail Parties: Fetishizing Semen in Pornography beyond Bukkake". They observed that in some videos, males ejaculate onto photographs of women, claiming them as their property.
The prevalence of the money shot in pornography may also be a result of the relative invisibility of the female orgasm. As Bill Nichols argues, "the convention whereby male orgasm stands in for female orgasm" is a way to provide "irrefutable and visible proof" of sexual pleasure.
While the money shot is a staple of the pornography genre, it has been criticized for its unrealistic portrayal of sex and its potential to objectify women. Despite this, the money shot continues to be a defining aesthetic of modern porn, with some viewers considering it the pinnacle moment of the film.
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Frequently asked questions
A money shot in basketball is a term used to refer to one of two distinct shots. The first is a shot taken from beyond the three-point arc, usually towards the opposing side of the court. This shot is considered a money shot because of the difficulty in making it and the low probability of it being successful. The second definition is more specific and refers to a shot taken by a spectator during halftime from the half-court line, which may have a monetary reward attached to it if the shot is made.
There have been several instances of fans making money shots during halftime at basketball games. In 2010, a Lakers fan won $235,000 after making a half-court shot. In 2013, a fan at Oracle Arena won a BMW i3 by making the same shot. In 2017, a Dallas Mavericks fan won a Sony 4K television with a half-court shot while wearing a shirt featuring Mavericks great Dirk Nowitzki.
The term "money shot" has been used in various contexts and can refer to different things. In basketball, the term "money shot" is used to describe a high-value or difficult shot. The use of the word "money" as a modifier meaning "powerful" or "decisive" can be traced back to as early as 1949 in baseball ("money hits") and possibly even earlier in billiards (a "money player"). The term "money shot" in pornography, referring to a male actor ejaculating, was first used in 1977 and has since become common slang for this action.
Yes, the term "money shot" has also been used in sports such as basketball and baseball to refer to a shot or play that is considered crucial or high-value. For example, in an article in The New York Times, Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs is said to have dominated the New York Knicks in the NBA finals with his effective use of bank shots off the backboard.
