Performance after the change in the three-point line

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In 2010/11 season a major change took place in European basketball. The change of the three-point line from 6.25m that was until then, to 6.75m. How this change affected 3-p ratings of the players and the tactics of the clubs? To answer this question, we compared fourteen major EuroLeague clubs in the following stats: 3-p made, 3p attempted and 3p percentage the past four regular seasons.

Mean values for 3-p were the following (n=14):
season 2007/08: 105/294 (35.6%) 3-p at 6.25m games played: 14
season 2008/09:   75/209 (35.8%) 3-p at 6.25m games played: 10
season 2009/10:   72/205 (35.6%) 3-p at 6.25m games played: 10
season 2010/11:   62/188 (33.0%) 3-p at 6.75m games played: 10

One-sample t-test showed significant reductions in 3-p made (-16.4%), 3-p attempted (-8.1%) and 3-p percentage (-7.1%) in the season which the 3-p line changed to 6.75m (0.001). 3-p percentage dropped from 35.5% to 33% (graph). The aiming of the players affected by the farther distance and coaches instructed fewer 3-pointers to be made. Further distance may not be the only reason for these changes, as different players and tactics appear each season. However, similar results have been found in NCAA.

sources:
euroleague.net