This week, Professor Mike Lewis and Emory student Alex Notis examine the three-point field goal (also 3-pointer) in the NBA.
The modern NBA has been transformed by the three-point shot. Points are up, turnovers are down and NBA rosters are now built to shoot the three.
Some key facts…
When the three-point line was introduced in 1986 only 3% of shots were three-point attempts.
This season, 36% of shots were three pointers.
In this episode, we talk about Alex’s project which looks into trends and outcomes related to the three-point shot.
In the second half of the episode, Professor Lewis takes a step back and talks about the concept of expected value. Expected value is a key concept in sports analytics. In decisions ranging from taking a three-point shot in the NBA, pulling the goalie in hockey, going for 2 in the NFL, or bunting to move a runner to second in MLB, expected value calculations are the key.
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