Why Steph Curry will benefit from new NBA 3-point ‘heave’ rule

SAN FRANCISCO – The greatest shooter to ever touch a basketball should be among the top beneficiaries of a new rule implemented by the NBA. 

The league has now decided that any shot taken in the final three seconds of each of the first three quarters will not be counted as a team shot attempt – not to any individual – as long as it is taken from at least 36 feet away from the basket.

Of course, any makes will be attributed to the individual player. 

So why would this help Curry more than the average player? Well, in a world where many NBA athletes are terrified of lobbing up a low percentage ‘Hail Mary’ that could ding their shooting efficiency, the Warriors’ superstar has separated himself from the pack. 

He has long been one of the few superstars willing to let it fly at the buzzer. According to the Associated Press, Curry led the NBA in made heaves with four of them.

According to the NBA’s official stat-tracking website, Curry made 5 of 14 shots from at least 35 feet, but just 1 of 7 when limited to just beyond 40 feet. 

It is one of the few places on the court that Curry, who is the NBA’s all-time leader in 3-point makes, shoots poorly from.

Over the past five seasons, Curry has made just 2 of 40 shots from at least 40 feet, most of those being desperation heaves at the end of quarters.

Though that is a very small percentage of the 3,850 triples he has attempted over that time span, they still account for one percent of attempted 3-pointers. 

If the new rules were in place, that would bump up his 3-point FG% up an entire point, to 41.02% (1,563 of 3,810).

Curry will get a chance to enjoy the new rule on Oct. 21, when the Warriors travel to the Lakers for their regular-season opener.