NBA All-Star Draymond Green says games are ‘boring,’ have ‘no substance’

The Evolution of the 3-Pointer and Its Impact on Basketball

The game of basketball has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, and the rise of the 3-pointer has been at the heart of this change. This season, the NBA has seen an average of roughly 75 3-point attempts per game, a staggering increase compared to just five years ago when teams averaged around 68 attempts. A decade ago, that number was even lower, sitting below 45. To put this into perspective, the Denver Nuggets, who are currently shooting an NBA-low 31.2 3-pointers per game, would have ranked second highest in the 2014-15 season. This shift reflects a broader trend in the league, where the 3-pointer has become the focal point of offensive strategies.

Draymond Green Speaks Out Against the 3-Pointer Dominance

Not everyone is thrilled with this new era of basketball, however. Draymond Green, a key player for the Golden State Warriors and a teammate of Stephen Curry—a player often credited with revolutionizing the game through his 3-point shooting—has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the direction the game is heading. Green, who is currently attempting the most 3-pointers in nearly seven years (3.5 per game), believes the game has lost its substance. "Every possession is some type of chess move. You don’t get that today in the NBA often. … You don’t just get that on a regular basis. It’s just who can run faster, who can hit more threes. It’s no substance. I think it’s very boring," he recently told ESPN. Green’s comments highlight a growing debate about the balance between skill, strategy, and rhythm in the modern game.

The NBA’s Role in Promoting Offense and Its Consequences

The NBA has actively promoted a faster-paced, more offense-friendly game in recent years, with rule changes aimed at increasing freedom of movement and reducing defensive interference. These changes have led to higher-scoring games and lower defensive ratings, which many argue have come at the expense of the game’s physicality and strategic depth. While some fans and players appreciate the high-octane, 3-pointer-heavy style of play, others, like Green, feel it has stripped the game of its nuance and unpredictability. The league’s push for offense has also had an unexpected side effect: television ratings have been down all season, suggesting that fans may not be entirely satisfied with the current state of the game.

The Rise of 3-Point Attempts and Its Historic Implications

This season, the NBA is on pace to shatter its own record for 3-point attempts, with teams collectively attempting over 92,000 3-pointers—a number that would surpass any previous season by a significant margin. While this trend reflects the league’s emphasis on spacing and outside shooting, it also raises questions about the long-term health of the game. Players like Stephen Curry and Luka Dončić have thrived in this environment, but others, like Green, argue that the game has become overly reliant on a single aspect of play. The historic rise of the 3-pointer is undeniably impressive, but it also invites reflection on whether the league has struck the right balance between innovation and tradition.

The Impact of Trades and Star Players on Viewership

Despite the overall decline in ratings, certain events have provided a much-needed boost. The trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, for example, generated significant buzz, with his debut game averaging over 2 million viewers. Similarly, the trade deadline sparked a double-digit increase in viewership from January, suggesting that high-profile moves and star power still hold a special allure for fans. However, this uptick in viewership comes after a steep drop earlier in the season, with ratings down 19% by Christmas compared to the previous year. External factors, such as a highly rated Dodgers-Yankees World Series, may have contributed to this decline, but it also underscores the challenges the NBA faces in maintaining fan engagement in a rapidly changing media landscape.

The Future of Basketball: Balancing Tradition and Innovation

As the NBA continues to evolve, the debate over the role of the 3-pointer will likely remain a central issue. While players like Curry and Dončić have proven the value of outside shooting, voices like Green’s remind us that there is still room for the physicality, strategy, and rhythm that defined earlier eras of the game. The league’s ability to strike a balance between innovation and tradition will be crucial in maintaining its appeal to both long-time fans and newer audiences. Whether through rule adjustments or a renewed emphasis on versatile skill sets, the NBA must find a way to honor its roots while embracing the future. The game of basketball is at a crossroads, and the direction it takes will shape its legacy for generations to come.