Philippine Basketball Association’s 4-point shot decision sparks national debate

Christine Denosta July 30, 2024

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is set to make history as the first professional basketball league to introduce a 4-point shot. This bold move aims to refresh the game. However reactions from the basketball community have been divided with some fans viewing it as an exciting innovation, while others see it as a short-lived trend. Indeed this decision has ignited a national debate in the Phillipines and passionate opinions are flooding social media and newspapers.

Amidst the ongoing debate, the PBA recently received support for its decision to introduce the 4-point shot into official games. The approval comes from the Harlem Globetrotters, the team that first popularised the 4-point shot during exhibition games.

In a press conference held at Novotel Manila on 29 July, Moose Weekes of the Harlem Globetrotters expressed his support for the PBA’s move, stating, “All I can say is it’s about time.”

“But you know we introduced that (4-point line) in 2010…so we’ve been doing this for over a decade. So just to see a professional league to actually add it is amazing. Just shows how far we’ve come to,” Wham Middleton, whom Weekes claimed to be the 4-point specialist of their team, added.

The PBA first brought in the 4-pointer during the 2023 All-Star Game in Passi, Iloilo and again in last season’s edition in Bacolod.

The 4-point shot could fundamentally alter the game, injecting a new level of excitement. Initially, it may serve as an emergency tool for teams trying to catch up. But it might also evolve into a regular feature of offensive game plans. This innovation could add a thrilling new dimension to the sport and potentially become a global trend, as it is sparking the interest of basketball enthusiasts worldwide.

“The league will take the opportunity to experiment new rules and rule interpretations with the objective of improving the PBA game and make it even more exciting.”
– Willie Marcial, PBA commissioner

Alfrancis Chua, who was recently elected Vice Chairman of the PBA Board, voiced his support for the rule change stating that the new rule opened up defensive formations, and increased the overall pace of the game.

Critics have been expressing doubts about the necessity of a 4-point shot as it may impact the speed of the game. Some studies suggest that focusing on officiating rules may be a more effective approach.

PBA league’s annual planning session in Osaka, Japan.
Source: PBA

Despite scepticism, the 4-point shot will surely lead to strategic thinking in basketball. Coaches will need to rethink their defensive schemes to cover the new 4-point line with players refining their skills to avoid costly fouls. The new rule could also add another layer to fast breaks and overall game strategy, inviting a deeper level of engagement from players and coaches alike.

As the season unfolds, fans and players will witness the impact of this bold experiment on the game they love.

The PBA will introduce a 4-point shot as a new scoring option in the upcoming season, which begins on 18 August. The new rule will establish an arc 27 feet from the rim, allowing players to earn 4 points for shots from beyond this distance. This decision was made during the league’s annual planning session in Osaka, Japan, and is part of several new rules to make the game more exciting for the 49th season.

Birth of a bold idea or a comeback from the 80s?

The 4-point shot isn’t entirely new. In the 1980s, it was used as a reward for consistent three-point shooting, offering extra points.

The first professional league to use a 4-point basket was the defunct American Basketball Association (ABA) in the 2000s, where half-court shots were valued at 4-points. The ABA also introduced the three-point shot in the 1970s, which was initially met with scepticism but later became integral to the game. In 1998, the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) experimented with alternative scoring rules, offering an uncontested three-point attempt instead of two free throws. This highlighted the potential impact of the PBA’s new 4-point shot rule.

**Source: SiGMA** Timeline of history of the 4-point concept

In 2018, NBA teams like the Milwaukee Bucks began incorporating 4-point lines into their practice facilities. The concept was even integrated during the 2019 All-Star Celebrity Game.

Making the 4-point shot a regular thing quickly became the talk of the town upon confirmation of the development, drawing mixed reactions.

Some fans questioned why it was quickly approved when they think there are better ways to attract a live audience again.

For example, notable figures like Coach Tim Cone has expressed reservations, while WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu has shown support. Former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala called for patience, suggesting that the league should address more pressing issues like farm teams and salary caps.

With the introduction of the 27-foot 4-point line, the dynamics of long-distance shooting in basketball will without doubt experience transformations. Historically, women have demonstrated higher accuracy from long distances due to their shooting technique, which relies on a push-up style. The increased distance with the introduction of the 4-point line may necessitate male players to modify their shooting techniques for the same level of accuracy and effectiveness. This adjustment could have a significant impact on the style and strategy of the game.

Many people support this idea because they believe it could increase competition among the top three-point shooters in the league, encouraging them to expand their shooting range. It could also lead to big men extending their perimeter defence, giving them more opportunity to dominate the area near the basket.