OT Gregg Popovich: Three-Pointers Are Non-Basketball Circus

[BigGameDamian]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/240098/Gregg-Popovich-Three-Pointers-Are-Non-Basketball-Circus

Gregg Popovich continued to voice his displeasure over how the three-pointer has changed basketball.

"I still hate it," Popovich told reporters before the Spurs' 97-94 loss to the Toronto Raptors. "I'll never embrace it. I don't think it's basketball. I think it's kind of like a circus sort of thing. Why don't we have a 5-point shot? A 7-point shot? You know, where does it stop, that sort of thing.

"But that's just me, that's just old-school. To a certain degree, you better embrace it or you're going to lose. And every time we've won a championship, the 3-point shot was a big part of it. Because it is so powerful and you've gotta be able to do it. And nobody does it better than Golden State, and you know where they're at. So it's important. You can't ignore it."

The Spurs won the Finals in 2014 in large part due to their use of the three-pointer.

"I can't be stubborn just because I personally don't like it and think it mucks up the game. ... I still hate it," said Popovich after the 2014 Finals.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Personally I think it would be interesting if they just used the 3 ball in the first and third quarter of play. in the 2nd and 4th quarter there would be zero 3pt shooting.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

I think a 7pt shot is called a touchdown.

 

[BBert]

We would run out of hand signals for all those extra point shots.

Maybe the refs could reach back with both hands and grab and spread their ass cheeks to signal the seven point, half-court shot?

Or maybe that should be the signal for a foul called in favor of Harden and Lebron. That or get on their knees for the head-bobbing motion.

IDK. Just riffing out loud.

 

[Strenuus]

Personally I think it would be interesting if they just used the 3 ball in the first and third quarter of play. in the 2nd and 4th quarter there would be zero 3pt shooting.

You know how much that would get messed up? It's already hard to do things at instant speed and muscle memory... then to switch it up on them? That's just mean.

 

[BigGameDamian]

If they just keep it as is they should just make the half court a 5pt shot. Seriously, why not?

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

Junk the 3 pointer, get non-corrupt referees, start calling traveling, celebrate team ball instead of entitled 'superstars'.

Yeah, that will happen.

 

[Strenuus]

If they just keep it as is they should just make the half court a 5pt shot. Seriously, why not?

The game is already bad enough, stop trying to make it worse.

 

[julius]

He sure didn't mind using it to help them win titles. He's just pulling a Phil Jackson, downplaying another teams talents.

 

[BigGameDamian]

5 point heave.

 

[Strenuus]

5 point heave.

*facepalm*

 

[HailBlazers]

But the circus is so much fun...

 

[riverman]

Pops is a chess master, whatever he says is probably to throw you off...if you play us you won't have to guard the 3pt line!

 

[Sinobas]

Would be interesting how it would change the game if it were taken away. It would be back to the big men, pounding it inside.

 

[Trackjack]

To me the 3 point line is to help teams catch up me I think ruin basketball in some ways see you guys can't shoot mid range shots. When we play Fiba rules due there 3 points line is closer we had trouble even we won the gold.

 

[KingSpeed]

As he himself admits, it was big part of winning all of their championships. Sean Elliott, Jaren Jackson, Bruce Bowen, Stephen Jackson, Robert Horry, Steve Kerr, Danny Green, Patty Mills. Without those guys, they don't win shit.

 

[julius]

5 point heave.

Thats up there with how KingSpeed used to play the NBA video games and say his team won a game, and imply it played a factor in the real NBA games.

 

[ripcityboy]

 

[BBert]

5 point heave.

"Damien"?

 

[fumanchu]

They should back up the line about 2 or 3 feet and eliminate the sideline three. Make it a lower percentage shot. Just have the arc go from sideline to sideline. Then only some players can hit it (Dame).

 

[BigGameDamian]

They should back up the line about 2 or 3 feet and eliminate the sideline three. Make it a lower percentage shot. Just have the arc go from sideline to sideline. Then only some players can hit it (Dame).

I'd go for that. That way it wouldn't be eliminated completely.

 

[MARIS61]

Pops always has something to whine about.

Without the 3 pt shot, basketball is a boring train wreck in the paint.

It takes a smart coach to be able to defend the 3. Maybe that's his weak link?

 

[Strenuus]

Pops always has something to whine about.

Without the 3 pt shot, basketball is a boring train wreck in the paint.

It takes a smart coach to be able to defend the 3. Maybe that's his weak link?

The highest % given up (after duncan arrived) was in 2008-2009 at nearly 38%. Last year they gave up 36%. And actually, for three straight years he gave up exactly 35.3% in 3p% (2011-2014).


http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/opp_stats_totals.html