The three-point line was introduced to the NBA in the 1979-80 season. It was borrowed from the ABA, where it had been used since 1967. At first, it was a novelty — a gimmick that most coaches ignored. Today, it's the most important shot in basketball. Here's how that transformation happened.
The Early Years: Skepticism and Scarcity
In the first season with the three-point line, the average NBA team attempted just 2.8 three-pointers per game. Most coaches saw the shot as low-percentage and risky. Why shoot from 23 feet when you could work the ball inside?
The players who did shoot threes in the early 1980s were often specialists — guys whose only job was to stand in the corner and wait. Larry Bird was one of the few stars who embraced it early, winning the first three-point contest at All-Star Weekend in 1986.
The 1990s: Slow Adoption
Three-point attempts gradually increased through the 1990s, but the shot was still secondary to post play and mid-range scoring. The league briefly shortened the three-point line from 23'9" to 22' for the 1994-95 through 1996-97 seasons, which spiked attempt rates before they pulled it back.
Key shooters of this era:
- Reggie Miller — The king of clutch three-point shooting with the Pacers
- Dale Ellis — One of the first true high-volume three-point shooters
- Glen Rice — Set the All-Star three-point contest record with a near-perfect round
- Ray Allen — Began his career in 1996 and would eventually become the all-time leader
The Analytics Awakening (2000s–2010s)
The real revolution started when analytics proved what seemed counterintuitive: a 35% three-point shooter is more efficient than a 50% mid-range shooter. The math is simple — 0.35 × 3 = 1.05 points per attempt, versus 0.50 × 2 = 1.00 points per attempt.
The Houston Rockets under Daryl Morey were the first team to fully commit to this philosophy, building rosters around three-point shooting and shots at the rim while virtually eliminating the mid-range game.
Stephen Curry: The Paradigm Shift
Everything changed with Stephen Curry. Before Curry, the three-pointer was a weapon. After Curry, it became the foundation of offensive basketball.
Curry's impact by the numbers:
- 402 three-pointers in the 2015-16 season — shattering his own record of 286
- First unanimous MVP in NBA history (2016)
- All-time three-point leader — surpassing Ray Allen in December 2021
- Shot three-pointers from ranges that were previously considered irresponsible
Curry didn't just shoot more threes — he shot them from deeper, off the dribble, in transition, and with a quick release that defenders couldn't contest. He made the "logo three" (from the halfcourt logo) a legitimate weapon.
The Modern Era: Everyone Shoots Threes
By the 2023-24 season, the average NBA team was attempting about 35 three-pointers per game — more than 12 times the rate from 1980. Centers who can't shoot threes are becoming liabilities. Point guards are expected to shoot 37%+ from deep.
The evolution in numbers:
- 1979-80: 2.8 three-point attempts per game (league average)
- 1994-95: 15.3 attempts per game
- 2014-15: 22.4 attempts per game
- 2023-24: ~35 attempts per game
The Three-Point Leaderboard
The all-time three-pointers made list:
- Stephen Curry — 3,700+
- Ray Allen — 2,973
- James Harden — 2,800+
- Reggie Miller — 2,560
- Kyle Korver — 2,450
Curry's lead over second place is staggering and growing every season.
Has It Gone Too Far?
Critics argue the three-point revolution has made basketball less diverse. The mid-range game is dying, post-up basketball is nearly extinct, and every team runs similar spacing-oriented offenses. Defenders argue the game has become too predictable.
Supporters counter that the modern game is the most efficient and skilled version of basketball ever played, with players who can do things from the perimeter that previous generations couldn't imagine.
Whether you love it or think it's gone too far, the three-point revolution is the defining tactical shift in modern NBA history. Test your knowledge of the game's best shooters in Higher or Lower and Top 10 Quiz.