The NBA made the first substantive change to the Three-Point Contest in 2014 when they added the “moneyball rack.” In the past, shooters shot five balls at five stations around the arc, with the last ball counting for two points. Now, one entire rack consists of double-point moneyballs — and it’s at the shooter’s choosing.
Obviously, this adds an element of strategy. Over the three years we’ve seen the contest using this format, shooters tend to put the moneyball rack last. However, we’ve seen it almost everywhere. Here’s Stephen Curry talking about his strategy in 2014 to CBS Sports’ Matt Moore:
“I haven't decided. Kevin Love and I were talking, and I'm not sure. I don't want to give all my secrets away, to keep an edge. But I would think it's going to be one of the last three racks. You don't want to start off with it, because you want to get in a rhythm, but if you put it at the end, you might get a little heavy-legged, a little tired. There's definitely some game-planning that has to go on. I feel like a coach before a big game, have to make that one decision that could decide a win or a loss. But it'll definitely be one of those last three racks.”
The new format has allowed the Three-Point Contest to reach new high scores. Craig Hodges’ 25-of-30 score in the first round had stood since 1986 until Jason Kapono tied him in 2008, but the added moneyball rack broke those records almost instantly. In 2015, Stephen Curry set a new high with 27 points (out of a new 34 total). The next year, Klay Thompson beat Curry in the contest while tying his record.
In 2017, scores were slightly down with Eric Gordon beating a field that included Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Kyle Lowry, and previous champion Thompson with a score of 25 in the first round, 20 in the second and 21 in an overtime win.
Hodges still holds two records — most made shots (21) in a round and most consecutive shots made (19). Those records may have staying power beyond the new format.
Here’s the thinking behind all five spots on the floor, and why an NBA player might choose it over another spot.
The first corner
The corners are closer to the basket that above the break, which explains why it’s typically a more efficient shot. Starting with the first corner lets you take it nice and slow, since you might be up against the clock if you put it as the final rack. Of course, you risk not having your rhythm yet. But if you’re confident you can sit for 30 or 40 minutes and immediately start hitting shots anyway, putting the moneyball on your starting corner allows you patiently knock down shots worth twice as much.
Either wing
The wings are by far the least popular placements for the moneyball racks. They aren’t lined up parallel or perpendicular with the backboard, making you adjust to the angle on the fly. That’s not a huge issue — obviously, we’ve seen a million threes go in from the wings. But statistically, the shot is a lower percentage one than the corners.
The second rack makes almost no sense. The fourth rack makes a little — if you’re a shooter who runs a little slow, but you’re confident you’ll have your rhythm by the fourth rack, then maybe this is the one for you.
Top of the arc
Some shooters love taking jumpers from straightaway looking directly as the basket. Dirk Nowitzki, for example, is famous for his trailing threes. It gives the shooter time to heat up and is early enough that he won’t rush any shots. On the downside, it’s further from the basket than the rest of the spots.
The last corner
NBA players are confident. They bet on themselves constantly (figuratively — we’re not attempting to start a gambling scandal here) in games and when signing contracts. There are major concerns that a shooter will be losing his legs or be right up against the clock, causing him to shoot less efficiently, when reaching the final round. But NBA players all imagine themselves as the best. Of course, they’ll put the moneyball rack last and assume their rhythm will trump any other downsides.
That’s the strategy for the NBA’s new and improved Three-Point Contest. You’ll have to ask the contestants exactly why they chose to put their moneyball rack where they did, but you can imagine it’s probably similar to the reasons above.