4 reasons why NBA should never adopt a 4-point line
With the Philippine Basketball Association's addition of a 4-point line, some fans might be wondering if it's time for the National Basketball Association to do the same. While the NBA is at the forefront of revolutionizing basketball, there are some ideas that should be kept locked away forever; including the PBA's introduction to a new way of scoring.
Here are a few reasons why the NBA should stay away from this at all costs.
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4 reasons why the NBA should stay away from the 4-point line
1. It's too gimmicky
The NBA has remained entertaining without making basketball feel like a gimmick. This has been done by analyzing the game and carefully thinking about the necessary changes to the rules.
By adding a 4-point line, it will feel like the league is leaning toward using unorthodox stunts to keep fans entertained. Changes like this might not even be well received in the All-Star weekend where gimmicks are better accepted, so think about how much worse the reception will be in an official game.
2. Doing so will alienate the basketball purists
The adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" fully applies to this topic. It is unnecessary and it will also end up driving away many of the fans who enjoy the "traditional" way that basketball is played.
If fans of the sport's older generation are complaining about the lack of traditional Tim Duncan-esque play and the slow death of the post-game, imagine how they'll react to the addition of a 4-point shot.
3. Further tips the favor toward the offense
One of the complaints from fans and some players is that the current rules favor the offense. The league has taken steps to balance this out and allow the defense to be more effective, but it is still a work in progress.
That work will be undone with the addition of a 4-point line. The floor will be stretched even further and the defense will be scrambling to cover guys from beyond 30 feet.
4. An advantage that only favors a few
While the three-pointer has continued to become more prominent in today's game, only a few can be considered truly elite shooters from the deep range. In fact, only 41 players shot over 40% from downtown last season. This means that only a handful of players, like Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Paul George, will truly benefit from a 4-point line.
However, that won't stop others from chucking the ball from ridiculous ranges in hopes of helping their team score more. Why? Because it's incentivized and some players or coaches will convince themselves that the benefits outweigh the risks.