Should the NBA Add a Four Point Line?
This article discusses the pros and cons of adding a four point line and how it could affect the NBA
by Nate Penner: March 11, 2020
This article discusses the pros and cons of adding a four point line and how it could affect the NBA
by Nate Penner: March 11, 2020
There’s no real reason to add a 4-point line, but it if it was to be implemented, I think it could make for some very competitive and entertaining basketball.
First you need to discuss the rules for the 4-point line and where it would be located. The 3-point line is 23.75 feet at the top and 22 feet in the corner away from the basket. I think the 4-point line should be 28 feet away from the basket, but not extend into the corners alike the 3-point line. It would be an arc that touches both sidelines, always 28 feet away from the basket. This gives the elite shooters in the NBA a good range to make some insane plays and could really change the way basketball is played.
For the rules regarding the scoring, I would keep it simple. None of the other rules would change, there would still just be 1, 2, and 3-point baskets adding a 4th. If fouled while shooting and not making the basket you would get 4 free throws. When getting fouled while shooting and making the basket you would get 1 free throw. This means that there would now be a such thing as a 5-point play in the NBA, which could possibly make for some insane highlights.
The 4-point line would be ideal for some players such as Trae Young, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Steph Curry. Those are just a few players that I think would use the 4-point line most often, with their amazing range. I mean, Trae Young has already been shooting from where the 4-point line would be, so the range wouldn’t be a big problem to some players.
But, would it ruin the NBA? That’s a tough question, but my answer is no. By adding the 4-point line, the games could become much more intense. For example, teams could come back from large deficits faster, and there could be more end of the game highlights since you could get up to five points on one possession. If the players were to just shoot 4-point shots all game, that could be a problem, but I personally don’t see that happening. I think the addition of a 4-point line wouldn’t change the strategy, although I could be wrong.
Recently the strategy of the game has been to create open 3-point shots, whereas a few decades ago, it was all about posting up and getting as close to the hoop as possible. The way the NBA is being played right now fits well with the idea of an even deeper shot, with a better reward. Teams are electing to draft smaller players who can shoot very well, over a 6’7” power forward who doesn’t have the greatest shot.
I believe that the 4-point line could be very interesting, but I personally don’t think that the basketball community would be for it. With that being said, I think it’s worth a shot. If players were to practice shooting from there, it could be a game changer, for good or for bad.
First you need to discuss the rules for the 4-point line and where it would be located. The 3-point line is 23.75 feet at the top and 22 feet in the corner away from the basket. I think the 4-point line should be 28 feet away from the basket, but not extend into the corners alike the 3-point line. It would be an arc that touches both sidelines, always 28 feet away from the basket. This gives the elite shooters in the NBA a good range to make some insane plays and could really change the way basketball is played.
For the rules regarding the scoring, I would keep it simple. None of the other rules would change, there would still just be 1, 2, and 3-point baskets adding a 4th. If fouled while shooting and not making the basket you would get 4 free throws. When getting fouled while shooting and making the basket you would get 1 free throw. This means that there would now be a such thing as a 5-point play in the NBA, which could possibly make for some insane highlights.
The 4-point line would be ideal for some players such as Trae Young, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Steph Curry. Those are just a few players that I think would use the 4-point line most often, with their amazing range. I mean, Trae Young has already been shooting from where the 4-point line would be, so the range wouldn’t be a big problem to some players.
But, would it ruin the NBA? That’s a tough question, but my answer is no. By adding the 4-point line, the games could become much more intense. For example, teams could come back from large deficits faster, and there could be more end of the game highlights since you could get up to five points on one possession. If the players were to just shoot 4-point shots all game, that could be a problem, but I personally don’t see that happening. I think the addition of a 4-point line wouldn’t change the strategy, although I could be wrong.
Recently the strategy of the game has been to create open 3-point shots, whereas a few decades ago, it was all about posting up and getting as close to the hoop as possible. The way the NBA is being played right now fits well with the idea of an even deeper shot, with a better reward. Teams are electing to draft smaller players who can shoot very well, over a 6’7” power forward who doesn’t have the greatest shot.
I believe that the 4-point line could be very interesting, but I personally don’t think that the basketball community would be for it. With that being said, I think it’s worth a shot. If players were to practice shooting from there, it could be a game changer, for good or for bad.