I remember watching that Warriors-Rockets game back in 2019 when both teams were just launching threes like there was no tomorrow. As someone who's been following basketball since the Jordan era, I've witnessed the game transform from post-heavy offenses to this three-point revolution we're seeing today. The NBA's record for most three-pointers in a single season has become this fascinating barometer of how dramatically the game has evolved, much like how individual players serve as barometers for their teams' performance.

Take that reference about Nocum being held to just 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting - when I read that stat, it immediately made me think about how we evaluate players in this three-point era. See, Nocum's performance wasn't exactly the kind of game you'd expect from a player that serves as the barometer for Rain or Shine, but here's the thing - in today's NBA, even an off-shooting night from beyond the arc can completely change how we perceive a player's impact. The Houston Rockets of the 2018-19 season demonstrated this perfectly when they shattered the three-point record with 1,325 made threes, attempting an astonishing 3,722 shots from deep. That's roughly 45 attempts per game! I've crunched these numbers repeatedly, and each time I'm still amazed at the sheer volume.

What really fascinates me about this three-point explosion is how it's changed team construction and offensive schemes. Teams aren't just adding spot-up shooters anymore - they're building entire systems around spacing and perimeter shooting. The Warriors' 2016 championship team, which held the record before Houston, made 1,077 threes while shooting at a 41.6% clip. That efficiency combined with volume was just unheard of at the time. I've had conversations with coaches who admit they're now designing plays specifically to generate corner threes because the analytics show it's the most efficient shot in basketball aside from dunks and layups.

The problem with this three-point revolution, and I've seen this firsthand watching games week in and week out, is that it's created a certain offensive predictability. Teams become so reliant on the three-ball that when they have an off-night like Nocum's 5-of-13 performance, their entire offensive system can collapse. Remember Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals? The Rockets missed 27 consecutive three-point attempts! That's the danger of building your entire offense around perimeter shooting - when the shots aren't falling, there often isn't a reliable Plan B.

So what's the solution? From my perspective, the most successful teams are those that use the three-pointer as a weapon rather than a crutch. The Milwaukee Bucks' championship team demonstrated this beautifully - they led the league in three-point percentage at 38.9% while maintaining their identity as a paint-dominant team. They understood that the threat of Giannis attacking the rim is what created those open perimeter looks. It's about balance and understanding that while breaking the three-point record is impressive, it doesn't necessarily translate to championships.

The real lesson here, and this is something I've come to appreciate more each season, is that records like the most three-pointers in a single season should be viewed as milestones in the game's evolution rather than blueprints for success. The game continues to change, and what wins today might not win tomorrow. But one thing's for certain - the three-pointer has permanently altered how basketball is played at the highest level, and teams that fail to adapt will find themselves left behind, much like a player having an off-night when his team needs him most. The key is finding that sweet spot between embracing innovation and staying true to basketball's fundamental principles.