Amanda Knapp
The three-point shot has been a game-changer in basketball, but when was it introduced in pro basketball? The three-point shot was first tested at the collegiate level in 1945 and later adopted by the American Basketball League in 1961. However, it was the American Basketball Association (ABA) that popularized the shot, introducing it for their inaugural 1967-68 season. The NBA followed suit and adopted the three-point line for the 1979-80 season, initially on a one-year trial basis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Initiation | 1979 |
| Month of Initiation | June |
| Season | 1979-80 |
| Date of First 3-Point Shot | 12 October 1979 |
| Player Who Made the First 3-Point Shot | Chris Ford |
| Team of the Player Who Made the First 3-Point Shot | Boston Celtics |
| Trial Period | One year |
| Distance of the Line | 23 feet, 9 inches at the top of the key; 22 feet at the corners |
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What You'll Learn
The three-point shot was first tested in 1945
The three-point shot in basketball was first tested in 1945, in a game between Columbia and Fordham. At the time, Howard Hobson, a then-doctoral student at Columbia, had been studying the game of basketball for 13 seasons. He believed that long-distance shots were more exciting and wanted to reduce the advantage of taller players near the basket. The three-point line was drawn 21 feet from the hoop, and Columbia won the game 73-58. However, the rule was not kept after this initial test.
The three-point shot was tested again at the collegiate level in 1958 and 1961. In 1961, Boston University and Dartmouth played a game with an experimental rule that counted all field goals as three points. The following year, in 1962, the head coach of St. Francis (New York), Daniel Lynch, suggested the introduction of a three-point line to the New York Basketball Writers Association.
In 1961, the American Basketball League (ABL) became the first basketball league to officially adopt the three-point rule. Abe Saperstein, the commissioner of the new league, wanted to add excitement to the game and set the three-point line at 25 feet from the basket. However, the ABL shut down in 1963, and the three-point shot was then adopted by the Eastern Professional Basketball League for the 1963-64 season.
The three-point shot gained further popularity when it was introduced by the American Basketball Association (ABA) during its inaugural 1967-68 season. ABA commissioner George Mikan promoted the three-pointer as a way to "give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans." During the 1970s, the ABA used the three-point shot as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA.
Finally, in June 1979, the NBA adopted the three-point line for the 1979-80 season, marking its introduction into professional basketball leagues. Initially considered a gimmick, the three-point shot gradually gained acceptance and became an integral part of the game. Over time, the three-point shot revolutionized basketball, with players like Stephen Curry showcasing its potential as a powerful offensive weapon.
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The American Basketball League was the first to implement it in 1961
The three-point shot in basketball has an extensive history, with several leagues and associations adopting and experimenting with it over the years. The American Basketball League (ABL) stands out as the pioneer, becoming the first league to implement the three-point shot league-wide in 1961. This bold move set the stage for the integration of the three-point shot into the fabric of the sport.
The ABL's decision to introduce the three-point shot was not made lightly. Prior to their adoption, the concept had been tested at the collegiate level on multiple occasions. The earliest recorded instance was in 1945, when a 21-foot line was trialled in a game between Columbia and Fordham. However, this rule change did not stick, and the three-point shot remained a concept on the sidelines. It wasn't until 1958 that another experiment took place, this time with a 23-foot line in a game between St. Francis (NY) and Siena.
The year 1961 proved to be pivotal for the three-point shot. Boston University and Dartmouth played an experimental game where all field goals were counted as three-pointers. This concept was then picked up by the ABL, which introduced a 25-foot arc for the three-point shot. This marked the first time a professional league had implemented the three-point shot on a league-wide basis.
Unfortunately, the ABL ceased operations in 1963, but its legacy lived on. The Eastern Professional Basketball League (EPBL) adopted the three-point shot in the 1963-64 season, keeping the momentum going. The American Basketball Association (ABA), formed in 1967, also embraced the three-point shot in its inaugural 1967-68 season. The ABA commissioner, George Mikan, recognised the entertainment value of the three-point shot, stating that it "would give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans".
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The NBA adopted the three-point shot in 1979
The NBA's adoption of the three-point shot in 1979 was a significant moment in the evolution of basketball, but it was not the first time the idea had been tested. The concept of the three-point shot was first introduced at the collegiate level in 1945, with a 21-foot line, but it didn't stick. The idea was tested a few more times at the college level, including in 1958 and 1961, before the American Basketball League became the first league to implement the rule league-wide in 1961, with a 25-foot arc.
The three-point shot gained further popularity when the American Basketball Association (ABA) introduced it for their inaugural 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." During the 1970s, the ABA used the three-point shot as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA, but the NBA resisted the idea, with some believing it would detract from the team aspect of the game.
However, facing declining popularity, the NBA eventually adopted the three-point line in 1979, initially on a one-year trial basis for the 1979-80 season. The line was set at 23 feet, 9 inches at the top of the key, and 22 feet at the corners. On October 12, 1979, Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics made history by scoring the first three-point shot in the NBA.
The introduction of the three-point shot in the NBA led to expectations of a significant shift in the way the game was played. However, during that first season, NBA teams averaged less than three three-point shots per game. It wasn't until the 1990s that the three-point shot began to have a more noticeable impact on the game. Teams seeking to replicate the success of the Chicago Bulls, who won three straight titles while averaging less than 95 possessions per game, started to prioritize efficient shot attempts.
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The three-point shot was initially considered a gimmick
The three-point shot in basketball was initiated by the American Basketball League (ABL) in 1961. The ABL commissioner, Abe Saperstein, wanted to add excitement to the game and differentiate it from the NBA. He stated: "We must have a weapon, and this is ours." However, the three-point shot was initially considered a gimmick when it was first introduced in the NBA in the 1979-80 season. Many believed it was unnecessary and would negatively impact the game.
The introduction of the three-point shot was met with skepticism and resistance from some coaches and basketball executives. They argued that it would lead to boring basketball, with players simply shooting from long range instead of utilizing a variety of offensive strategies. For instance, Phoenix Suns Coach John MacLeod predicted that the three-point shot would only be significant at the end of quarters and expressed his reluctance to incorporate it into his team's gameplay. Similarly, Boston Celtics president Red Auerbach believed that basketball did not need the three-point shot and that it was implemented due to panic over declining TV ratings.
Despite the initial skepticism, the three-point shot gradually gained acceptance and popularity. It was popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA), which introduced it in its inaugural 1967-68 season. ABA commissioner George Mikan promoted the three-point shot, stating that it "would give the smaller player a chance to score and open up the defense to make the game more enjoyable for the fans." During the 1970s, the ABA used the three-pointer, along with the slam dunk, as a marketing tool to compete with the NBA.
In June 1979, the NBA adopted the three-point line, initially on a one-year trial basis. Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics made the first three-point shot in NBA history on October 12, 1979. However, it was met with mixed reactions, with some still considering it a gimmick. In the early years of its implementation, the three-point shot was not widely utilized, with teams averaging less than three three-point attempts per game in the first season.
Over time, the perception of the three-point shot evolved, and it became an integral part of the game. The increase in three-point shooting can be attributed to players like Stephen Curry, who revolutionized the game by inspiring teams to regularly employ the three-point shot as a winning strategy. Despite concerns about the excessive reliance on three-pointers, the NBA has generally embraced its impact on the game, with fans enjoying the pace, speed, and physicality it brings.
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The three-point shot is the most valuable weapon in modern basketball
The three-point shot was first introduced at the collegiate level in 1945 in a game between Columbia and Fordham. However, it was not adopted as a permanent rule until the American Basketball League instituted it in 1961, with a 25-foot arc. The three-point shot was then popularized by the American Basketball Association (ABA), which introduced it in its inaugural 1967-68 season. The NBA did not adopt the three-point line until the 1979-80 season, and it has since become a permanent fixture of the game.
Over time, the three-point shot has become an increasingly dominant feature of the NBA. While it took about 40 years for three-point shooting to truly revolutionize the game, it is now considered the most valuable weapon in modern basketball. This is evident in the increasing number of three-point shots taken in NBA games. Despite concerns from some that there are too many three-pointers being shot, the NBA does not seem to think it is an issue. In fact, fan research has shown that fans have loved the three-point revolution, enjoying the pace, space, speed, and physicality that it has brought to the game.
The three-point shot is so valuable because it is worth more points than a two-point shot, even though it is typically a more challenging shot. This higher value per shot means that players and teams can score more points without needing to take as many shots. For example, to make a two-pointer equally valuable to a three-pointer, a player would have to shoot 53.5%. In contrast, the league-wide average for three-pointers is currently 36%, which already produces more points per shot than a two-pointer.
The three-point shot has also had a strategic impact on the game. It was initially introduced to make long-distance shots more viable and to reduce the advantage of taller players closer to the basket. By encouraging more long-range shooting, the three-point shot has opened up the defense and given smaller players more opportunities to score. This has resulted in a shift in the types of players valued by teams, with smaller players who are effective three-point shooters becoming more sought-after.
In conclusion, the three-point shot has had a significant impact on modern basketball. It has changed the way the game is played, with teams adopting strategies that emphasize the value of the three-point shot. Its high point value and relatively lower success rate make it a risky but rewarding shot, adding excitement and unpredictability to the game. While there are concerns that the increasing reliance on three-pointers may be detrimental, it is undeniable that the three-point shot is a powerful weapon that has revolutionized the sport.
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Frequently asked questions
The 3-point shot was first introduced in the 1967-68 season by the American Basketball Association (ABA). The NBA followed suit in the 1979-80 season, initially on a one-year trial basis.
Chris Ford of the Boston Celtics made the first 3-point shot in NBA history on October 12, 1979.
The introduction of the 3-point shot was expected to significantly alter the way NBA basketball was played. However, the major change didn't happen immediately. Over time, the 3-point shot has increased scoring and changed offensive strategies, with teams prioritising efficient shot attempts. The 3-point shot remains the most valuable weapon in modern basketball, with a growing number of 3-pointers being shot in NBA games each year.
