As we flip the calendar over to March and move even closer to next month’s NBA playoffs, it’s only natural we to start reflect on where we were this time last year.
The Miami Heat were on a monumental winning streak, Steph Curry was busy seducing us with his stunning three-pointers and the Knicks weren’t a laughing stock in the East.
For the majority, the three-point momentum continued where last season left off but when we delve into the efficiency of three-pointers in offense, the outcomes vary.
Let’s start in Phoenix.
The Suns, who’ve had a successful reprise into playoff contention, struggled last year from deep, finishing 2013 in 26th place in 3-pointers made (5.9 per game) and 28th in three-point percentage (33.0%).
Arguably the most improved team partially due to the hiring of Jeff Hornacek, the Suns now sit third overall in three-pointers made (9.4 per game).
Hornacek, who established his own shooting career with stellar three-point accuracy, has emphasised how worthwhile floor spacing and outside shooting can be on offense.
They’ve gone 29th in offensive rating last year to eighth this season, with their improved three-point shooting acting as a catalyst for their offensive improvement.
With the injured Eric Bledsoe out, Goran Dragic has stepped up to the task shooting 41.3% (that’s pretty much 10% higher than last year) and PJ Tucker also showing he was worth keeping around with 40% on three-pointers.
The Raptors are also enjoying a playoff reprise partially due to their efficiency with the three-pointer. Fortunately, losing Rudy Gay in December didn’t appear to upset their offensive efficiency, with the Raptors hitting a season high of 39.9% on three-pointers only a month after Gay was traded and now shooting 36.3% on the season from downtown, good for 13th in the NBA.
The three-point shot is a growing strategy for maximising a team’s offensive efficiency.
Collecting quick points in most cases cements a place high on the ladder; collecting a quick three can be the difference between a win and a loss.
Now when it comes to shooting threes and collectively having a great offense, Portland, Miami, Dallas and the Spurs are the most efficient.
However, it’s the Knicks who, despite sitting at 14th in offense, have managed to butcher their own edge over opponents.
Of the teams who find themselves in the top half of the league in three-point percentage, three-pointers made, and offensive rating, the Knicks are the only team who won’t make the playoffs.
So are teams with a better offensive rating more likely to be teams who take advantage of the three-point shot?
The Portland Trailblazers, who come in third in offensive rating with 108.7, lead the charge when it comes to shooting from downtown. They’re respectively sitting second on three-pointers made at 9.5 per game and are shooting 37.8% from beyond the arc (tied for fourth).
Atlanta, who boast one of the best three-point shooters in Kyle Korver, sit at the top in the three-pointers made at 9.5 per game, are seventh in the NBA at 37.7%, and are 14th in offensive efficiency, despite major injuries this season.
When it comes to utilising the three-point shot best, Dallas, who are fourth in offensive rating, are shooting 37.8% from downtown (tied for fourth in the league) and make 8.5 threes per game (eighth in the NBA).
Dallas, in some respects, are now better positioned offensively than their 2011 championship run when it comes to collecting efficient points.
Now posting better numbers than the 2010-2011 season where they won a Championship (8th OffRtg, 7.9 3FGM and 36.5%), and despite their poorer defence, they’re getting wins off impactful shooting.
Overall, teams who hold a high offensive rating combined with a great three-point percentage seem to make up the teams bound for a playoff run. Are we now on the cusp of witnessing a Championship winning formula? Or is solid defence and safe shooting in the paint the answer?
While the importance of defence will always remain, three-point shooting is now starting to become a regular fixture and one that we as basketball fans, keep hoping to enjoy.
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