The 3-point shot's introduction into the NBA is a classic case of too much of anything being a bad thing. Used in moderation, it adds entertainment value and helps keep teams in contention in the closing minutes of tight games. The Boston Celtics supplied a glut of treys in their two Exhibition games - lost both contests - and bored and disappointed the Hell out of most Celtics fans.
The Green hoisted 39 3-pointers in the loss to Philadelphia, only hitting on 11 of them - for a 28.2% accuracy rate. It got worse in the defeat at the hands of the much-maligned Kyrie Irving and his Brooklyn Nets. In that game, the Celtics "threw up" 45 (yes, 45) attempts and made only eight of them, probably causing some watchers to contemplate "throwing up" themselves. A 17.8% accuracy rate for shots beyond the arc? Pitiful!
Who were the main offenders? That included just about everyone except Jeff Teague who was a perfect 5-of-5 over the 2-games. Jayson Tatum hit only a combined 2-of-13, while his Jay team partner, Jaylen Brown was a combined 2-of-12 on treys. Marcus Smart was even worse. He was 1-of-8 over the 2-game span.
The 3-pointer is only entertaining if its falling, and even then only if it happens in clutch time. Hoisting 3-pointers early in an Exhibition game has no purpose, and we saw it in both losses. Wins and losses mean little prior to the regular season, but losing while choosing to take the easy way out is inexcusable.
One of the qualities that separated Paul Pierce from Antoine Walker was the way The Truth would drive into the fray, picking up a hoop or foul - while his teammate, Walker, would let fly one 3-pointer after another. When the whole team follows Toine's "example", I start to worry.
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