The Three-Point Revolution
The three-point shot has transformed basketball over the past decade. Teams now attempt more threes per game than ever before, with the league average exceeding 35 three-point attempts per game. This shift is driven by simple math: a 35% three-point shooter generates 1.05 points per attempt, equivalent to a 52.5% two-point shooter.
Volume and accuracy together determine three-point impact. A player attempting 10 threes per game at 38% contributes 11.4 points from three alone. This analysis identifies which players generate the most three-point scoring through a combination of high volume and elite accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many threes do NBA players attempt per game now?
The average NBA team attempts about 35+ threes per game. Top shooters individually attempt 8-12 per game. This is roughly double the volume from just 10 years ago.
What is a good three-point percentage?
League average is around 36%. Above 38% is very good, above 40% is elite, and above 42% on high volume is historically exceptional.
What is three-point rate?
Three-point rate (3PAr) is the percentage of field goal attempts that come from three-point range. It measures how much a player relies on the three-point shot in their scoring approach.
Why has three-point shooting increased so much?
Analytics proved that the three-pointer is mathematically superior to the long two-pointer. A 35% three generates more points per shot than a 50% mid-range two. Teams and players have adjusted accordingly.
Can a team shoot too many threes?
In theory, yes -- if a team's three-point percentage drops too low or they give up offensive rebounds by having everyone behind the arc. But most analytics suggest that even below-average three-point shooting teams should still prioritize the three over the mid-range two.