Did you watch the final game of the Emirates NBA Cup? We did too, even though the game was one-sided and honestly, pretty boring from halftime on…
Like in many of this year’s games, the three-point, long-distance shot was a big part of the action. And after bubbling under the surface for a time, it now appears the Association’s reliance on three-point shooting is sparking frustration among fans and legends alike.
Commissioner Adam Silver recently hinted at potential rule changes to address the growing monotony of modern basketball, and Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hold back his thoughts on the matter.
In a recent episode of The Big Podcast with Shaq, the Hall of Famer shared his unfiltered take on what he sees as a declining product. “I don’t know what the [expletive] we’re watching now,” O’Neal said. “This [expletive] is terrible. It’s soft—because everybody is doing the same thing.”
Silver acknowledged that the league has considered altering the rules, including tweaks to the three-point line, to encourage more offensive diversity. “At times, we’ve moved the three-point line,” he said. “My sense is we should take seriously this notion of more diversity in offense.”
The statistics back up concerns about the NBA’s three-point obsession. Over 50 players are shooting at least 40% from beyond the arc, and the reigning champion Boston Celtics attempt more than 50 threes per game, with 56% of their shots coming from deep.
The BIG Podcast with SHAQ
Even historic moments are overshadowed by the barrage of threes. During a recent matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Golden State Warriors, the teams combined for an NBA-record 48 made three-pointers. Instead of celebrating Klay Thompson’s 29-point performance against his former team, the conversation turned to whether the game had lost its appeal.
Shaq’s criticism stems not just from the volume of three-pointers but also from the lack of defensive intensity and strategic depth. Referencing a recent Lakers-Spurs game, O’Neal shared his disbelief at the mismatched defense. “You had Austin Reaves on [Victor] Wembanyama. I turned the [expletive] off,” he said.
This sentiment echoes among fans. Many agree with O’Neal, calling today’s game “soft” and bemoaning the lack of enforcement on basic rules like traveling.
Silver maintains that the league is still in “a great place” but recognizes the concerns. “Some offenses start to look sort of cookie-cutter, and teams are copying each other,” he said. “That’s something we should pay attention to.”
Viewership numbers suggest fans are disengaging. The NBA has seen a nearly 50% drop in ratings since 2012, with newer initiatives like the NBA Cup failing to reignite widespread interest.
O’Neal’s criticism highlights a growing divide between traditionalists and modern basketball trends. Fans are left wondering if the league will take action to restore balance and variety to the game.
Whether it’s adjusting the three-point line or implementing other rule changes, the debate underscores the importance of maintaining basketball’s competitive edge. For Shaq and many others, it’s about preserving the game’s excitement and authenticity. As one fan tweeted, “Shaq is spot on. This needs to change.”
For now, the NBA is listening—but whether it’s willing to act remains to be seen.