The three-point shot has significantly transformed the game of basketball, and Draymond Green is not particularly pleased with this evolution. This season, an average of approximately 75 three-pointers are attempted per game, a notable increase from around 68 attempts just five years ago and below 45 attempts a decade ago. For context, the Denver Nuggets currently lead the league with the fewest attempts at 31.2 three-pointers per game, a figure that would have ranked as the second highest during the 2014-15 season.
Green is currently attempting 3.5 three-pointers per game, marking his highest average in nearly seven years. From 2018 to 2024, he averaged only 2.1 attempts per game. Despite being teammates with Stephen Curry, widely regarded as a key figure in the rise of the three-point game, Green expresses dissatisfaction with the current style of play. He remarked, “Every possession is some type of chess move. You don’t get that today in the NBA often. It’s just who can run faster, who can hit more threes. There’s no substance. I think it’s very boring.”
The NBA has also emphasized freedom of movement, resulting in higher-scoring games and lower defensive ratings. Interestingly, the league’s television ratings have been declining throughout the season. However, the trade that brought Luka Dončić to the Lakers provided a boost, with his debut in Los Angeles attracting over 2 million viewers. The trade deadline has also seen a double-digit increase in viewership since January.
By Christmas, ratings were down 19% compared to the previous year, influenced by various factors, including a highly rated Dodgers-Yankees World Series. The NBA is on track to surpass 92,000 three-pointers attempted this season, which would set a new record.