The NBA was formed in 1949 after the merger of the National Basketball League (founded in 1937) and the Basketball Association of America (founded in 1946).
The American Basketball League (ABL) was formed in 1961 to challenge the NBA. It didn't last long (less than two years), but it had a significant impact: the introduction of the 3-point line.
Then, in 1967, a new professional league (The American Basketball Association) was formed. It reintroduced the 3-pointer to professional basketball as a way to differentiate. But when the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976 after 9 seasons, the 3-pointer was left out of the deal.
The NBA didn't adopt the 3-pointer until 1979, 30 years after the NBA was formed and 18 years after the 3-point line was first introduced.
Many fans, coaches, and owners were against the 3-point line. For quite some time, they won the argument – it wasn't part of the game. But once it became part of the game, it had to become part of each team's strategy.
If you were against the 3-pointer in 1979, you didn't have to shoot any 3-point shots. In fact, even today, you don't have to shoot any 3-pointers.
But we know that'd be a losing strategy.
With the rise of analytics in sports, the data suggests shooting more three-pointers because what you lose in shots made is offset by the total increase in points scored. You'd be hard-pressed to find someone credible advocating against shooting threes in today's NBA.
This is the story I think about whenever I feel resistance to something changing in the creator landscape.
Short form video? Gross.
AI as part of my creative process? My precious creative process??
Change is scary. Change is threatening. When you're reaping the benefits of something working, and you're comfortable, it's reasonable that you'd be averse to change.
But...
Is that principled resistance or comfort-based resistance?
Are you trying to play by outdated rules?
Are you voluntarily putting yourself at a disadvantage?
This is what is pushing me to experiment more with AI. Today, I constantly get feedback on my ideas from Claude and ChatGPT.
This is what is pushing me to put more effort into video – both short and long form. If you follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn, you may have seen my brand-new home studio.
What's the 3-point line you're resisting right now?
You don't have to do ALL the new things and certainly don't have to change your values. But if you're unwilling to be uncomfortable and adapt to change, don't be surprised if the world passes you by.
