Much of the conversation around the 2024-25 NBA season thus far has been around the decline in viewership.
On Wednesday, we saw a record number of threes in a single day in the NBA. According to OptaStats on X, 1,119 three-point shots were taken throughout the NBA in the 15 games that took place.
NBA players combined to take 1,119 three-point shots on Wednesday.
That’s the most three-point attempts on a single day in NBA history.
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) February 13, 2025
The topic was discussed by former NBA players Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams on Thursday’s edition of Run it Back on FanDuel TV. Parsons in particular admitted that while he would have loved this style of play as a player, it isn’t exactly the most enjoyable product of basketball to watch as a fan.
“It’s not great,” said Parsons. “It’s not great, they happen so fast. It’s crazy, they put them up early in the shot clock. As a player, I think I would love it. There is no such thing as a bad shot. Seventh, eighth, ninth men are shooting 10, 11, 12 threes in any given game. It’s great for players and it is great for kids all around. If you can shoot the ball, you got a chance.”
When it came time for Lou Williams to speak on the record number of threes, he declined, staying silent and simply plugging his nose in disgust.
NBA averaged almost 75 three-pointers PER GAME yesterday 🤯
Lou Williams had no words. He could only cover his nose in disgust 🤢
“It’s not great…great for kids. If you can shoot the ball, you got a chance.” – Chandler Parsons@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/bM7TkyYErX
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) February 13, 2025
It is certainly up for debate whether the rise in three-point attempts is the biggest factor in the year-over-year viewership decline in the NBA thus far this season.
But it has at least been enough of a correlating factor for NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to publically address the topic, detailing last month that the league will “explore trying to balance these interests” when it comes to fan interest and the style of play in the NBA.
It’s unclear exactly what the league could do to stop the rise in three-point attempts, as it seems quite clear that organizations have determined that shooting more threes increases offensive efficiency. Regardless, Chandler Parsons and Lou Williams clearly see the current play style of the NBA as a bit of a problem.
