By Jed Langer
Basketball has always been a sport that evolves with its players, its fans, and its thinkers. From the days of skyhooks and post moves to the rise of the three-point revolution, the game has continually reinvented itself. But today, we find ourselves in an era where data—not players—seems to dictate the direction of the league.
In his recent video, “They’re Breaking the NBA Again,” JxmyHighroller digs into how artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced analytics are driving the modern game, especially the relentless pursuit of three-point efficiency. His analysis doesn’t just explore how the game has changed—it forces us to ask whether it’s changing for the better.
From Revolution to Obsession: The Rise of the Three-Point Era
The three-pointer was once a curiosity, even a gimmick. When the line was introduced in 1979, it was more of a sideshow than a game-changer. But over time, coaches and players began to realize the strategic value of the shot. The math was simple: make 35% of your threes, and you’re scoring more efficiently than hitting 50% of your twos.
By the mid-2010s, the Golden State Warriors, led by Steph Curry, perfected the formula. They weren’t just shooting more threes—they were redefining the game around them. What set the Warriors apart wasn’t just volume; it was precision, timing, and the sheer audacity of their shot-making. They turned efficiency into an art form, proving that a team built on three-point shooting could dominate the league.
Fast-forward to today, and the Warriors’ revolution has become the league’s obsession. Teams are now hoisting more three-pointers than ever before. The Boston Celtics, for instance, are attempting a staggering 51 threes per game this season—more than half their total shots. As JxmyHighroller notes, “Every single team in the NBA today shoots more threes per game than the 2016 Warriors did.”
How Analytics and AI Took Over Basketball
The driving force behind this shift? Data. Advanced analytics have become the cornerstone of NBA strategy, helping teams identify the most efficient ways to score. And now, with the introduction of AI, that analysis has become even more sophisticated.
AI tools provide teams with unprecedented insights:
Real-time data on player positioning and shot quality.
Predictions of opponent tendencies based on historical performance.
Optimization of lineups to maximize floor spacing and scoring efficiency.
The result? A league that increasingly prioritizes three-point shots, layups, and free throws—while phasing out mid-range jumpers and post moves. Efficiency is king, and AI is its chief strategist.
This reliance on analytics has fundamentally reshaped how basketball is played. The mid-range jumper, once a staple of stars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, has all but disappeared. Even the post-up—a move that defined the careers of greats like Shaquille O’Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon—has become a rarity.
The Downsides of Over-Optimization
But this relentless pursuit of efficiency comes with a cost. The NBA, a league once defined by its creativity and variety, now risks becoming predictable. Games often feel like glorified three-point contests, with teams launching threes possession after possession.
JxmyHighroller highlights this with eye-opening sequences from recent games: stretches of play where teams took nothing but three-pointers for minutes on end. It’s an extreme example, but it underscores a larger trend. When every team is playing the same way, the game loses some of its charm.
And it’s not just basketball purists who are noticing. Fans are starting to tune out. While highlight reels of deep threes and buzzer-beaters still dominate social media, full-game viewership is declining. The lack of variety makes the game less engaging, especially for casual fans.
“Basketball has always been about balance,” Jxmy points out. “When you take that away, you risk losing what made the sport special in the first place.”
The Role of AI in the Game’s Future
Ironically, the same AI that’s driving today’s three-point frenzy could also help restore balance to the game. Teams are already starting to see diminishing returns on three-point attempts, as defenses adapt and shooting percentages plateau. This could open the door for a resurgence of mid-range scoring or post play—strategies that have been undervalued in recent years.
AI could also be used to identify inefficiencies in other areas of the game, paving the way for more diverse offensive strategies. Imagine a future where teams blend analytics with traditional playstyles, creating a more balanced and unpredictable game.
But even with these possibilities, the NBA may need to intervene to preserve the game’s entertainment value. Potential rule changes, like moving the three-point line back or introducing a four-point shot, could shift incentives and bring variety back to the sport.
Why It Matters
At its core, this debate isn’t just about three-pointers or analytics—it’s about the soul of basketball. The NBA has always been a league of moments: the clutch fadeaway, the acrobatic layup, the thunderous dunk. These are the plays that stick with us, the ones we replay in our minds long after the game ends.
Efficiency is important, but it’s not the only thing that matters. The game needs its unpredictability, its chaos, its artistry. Without these elements, basketball risks becoming a numbers game, a sport stripped of its creativity and emotion.
As JxmyHighroller puts it, “The NBA is at its best when it’s not just efficient, but exciting.”
The Road Ahead
The NBA is at a crossroads. It can continue down the path of hyper-optimization, or it can find ways to reintroduce balance and diversity to the game. The league has always embraced change, but it must be careful not to lose sight of what makes basketball special: the tension between strategy and spontaneity, precision and flair.
For now, the three-point era rolls on. But as AI and analytics continue to shape the league, one thing is clear: the future of basketball isn’t just about what works—it’s about what we want to watch. And if the NBA can strike the right balance, that future could be brighter than ever.
