Radical NBA Rule Change Could Alter How Sonics Construct Roster

Prediction: by the time Seattle Sonics 2.0 are assembling their first team, a major NBA rule change will significantly affect the players they choose.

A drumbeat of discontent about the direction of the Association became a jet-engine roar at February’s universally-panned All-Star weekend. Players opted out completely – some even cheated to opt out of their events. The mini-games were infected with inane and lengthy interruptions.

The criticism, notably from players, spilled over into the state of the pro game itself. Draymond Green of Golden State made headlines by declaring, “Its just who can run faster, who can hit more 3s, its no substance. I think its very boring.”

Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams replied on the “Run It Back” podcast that Green’s Warriors – the “Splash Brothers” of Curry and Klay Thompson – were at ground zero for the proliferation of 3-point shots. “The NBA is in this position because of the style and success of play that you guys brought. All leagues are copycat. Every team is shooting upwards of 50 to 60 percent of three-pointers a game because they are emulating the Golden State Warriors Y’all weren’t the most physical basketball team. Y’all were super-skilled.”

Mainly, shooters have gotten too good at them. The math says 33% from behind the arc equals 50% from inside, so teams are prizing players who can connect from long range. But it’s made games all look the same, and rendered second-class many of the qualities which make basketball appealing; the pick-and-roll, post-ups, physical defense.

Unlike the weather, wise heads who care about the NBA’s future aren’t just talking about the three, they want to do something about it. One idea proposed is to push the 3-point line further back, but that’s not enough. Others want to eliminate the corner trey, because shooters tend to hang out there, but that’s not enough. Any player who launches a three could suffer a small electric shock, but that’s too much. (Okay, I’m joking about that last one.)

The solution is – drum roll, please – to set a numerical limit on the number of 3-point shots a team can take in a game.

I hear the anguished screams. But think about it. There was a time when the NBA didn’t have a 3-point arc at all. The NBA already places any number of numerical limits on the game: the number of timeouts, the number of fouls before disqualification, the number of seconds a player can linger in the lane without the ball, the number of seconds until a shot must at least hit the rim.

If a maximum was set at, let’s say, 20 3-pointers in regulation, teams would have to strategically choose when to attempt such shots. Each one launched would regain the importance and thrill they used to have. Coaches would have to decide whether, like timeouts, they saved treys for late in games. The scoreboard would list “3’s attempted” alongside timeouts and personal and team fouls. Even more important, teams would once again have to prize mid-range jumpers and inside play.

(In this proposal, the 21st shot and after from beyond the arc would count two points, and heaves from beyond half-court would be exempted.)

Especially in this age of analytics, teams in every sport will evolve to take advantage of rules as they exist. That’s what happened with the proliferation of Curry imitators. So rules must also evolve. Major league baseball had to implement a “two infielders on each side of second base” rule to limit offense-withering shifts. To address concussions, the NFL has made kickoffs nearly unrecognizable. The NHL eliminated the restriction on two-line passes to make the game faster. In each case, the sun continued to rise in the East and set in the West.

As to the premise which started this conversation: a muffler on 3-pointers will alter how the next wave of expansion teams (and really, existing teams, too) construct their rosters. When the Sonics pluck available players to stock their lineup, they’ll have to value those who play a versatile game alongside long range sharpshooters.

(In basketball slang, the latter group are often referred to as “3 and D” players. Meaning, they shoot the three, play defense, and not much else. In truth, more than a few of those skimp on the “D,” too.)

In short, the new Sonics, at least in skill sets if not in talent, might resemble the old Sonics and old NBA Seattle hoops fans grew up loving.