3 Reasons Why The Miami Heat’s Big 3 Would Still Dominate Today
By Noah Decker
3 Reasons Why The Miami Heat’s Big 3 Would Still Dominate Today
One major change since the Big 3 Era is the amount of three-pointers teams typically take in an NBA game.
Three-Point Shooting
During the four years the Big 3 played together, no team attempted more than 30 three-pointers per game. Now, teams average anywhere between 28 and 43 three-point attempts per game.
This trend is on pace to continue this season.
Last year, a record was set for the most three-pointers made by any team in a single game (29). The top 25 teams with the most three-pointers made in a game have all come from the past five seasons.
This change in three-pointers attempted and made is mainly attributed to Stephen Curry, who revolutionized the game with his efficient marksmanship from anywhere on the court, even 40 or more feet away from the basket.
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Now, teams put extra emphasis on strategizing how to get shooters open to give them an extra point for each basket. This means that if the Big 3 Miami Heat would have any chance of competing today, they would have to have some three-point shooting.
On top of that, those shooters would have to shoot more. In fact, they had the first part taken care of, as they did have shooting.
Over the four years, Miami had a plethora of shooting options, such as Shane Battier, Mike Miller, and Rashard Lewis.
This era also saw LeBron James in his most efficient shooting season. During his MVP season in 2013, LeBron shot 40% from beyond the three-point arc.
The team also had Ray Allen from 2012 to 2014, who was the greatest three-point shooter of his time. Although it is true that he was not playing at his peak with the Heat, he still had his shot, sinking over 200 threes over the two seasons.
He also made the most important shot in the franchise’s history in the 2013 NBA Finals.
Even though three-point shooting is more prominent in the modern era, it does not have to be the focal point of the offense. The past two champions, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Milwaukee Bucks, did most of their damage inside.
Of course, the teams still had good shooters, but it was often better for those teams to attack the basket rather than settle for a three. The Heat would behave this way, focusing the offense around inside scoring through James and Wade, then kicking out to role-playing shooters when necessary.