Is there a 1 pointer in basketball? A comprehensive look at scoring in the game of basketball

Yes, there is a 1 point shot in the sport of basketball – it‘s called the free throw! While slam dunks, 3-pointers from "downtown," and buzzee-beating game winners capture most of the highlight reels, the fundamentals of the game are built around scoring through a combination of free throws, 2-point field goals, and 3-point field goals. Let‘s take a deeper look at how scoring works in basketball.

The Free Throw – Slow and Steady Wins the Race

The 1 point free throw may seem mundane, but it has played a crucial role throughout basketball history. On any trip to the basketball court, you‘re sure to hear the repetitive bounce of the ball as players practice their free throws.

So what exactly is a free throw?

• Awarded to a team when the opponent commits certain fouls

• Shooter stands at the foul line – exactly 15 feet from the basket

• All other players must stand outside the lane area

• 1 point is awarded for each made free throw

While there are no defenders actively contesting the shot, free throws require focus and repetition to perfect. For many players, hours and hours of practice goes into mastering the art of the free throw.

Statistics show just how important free throw shooting is in basketball:

• Roughly 20% of points in an NBA game come from free throws

• The all-time best NBA free throw percentage is 90.4% by Steve Nash

• The worst NBA free throw percentage ever is 40.5% by Ben Wallace

As the stats show, a good free throw shooting team has a major advantage in a close game, while a poor shooting team can really hurt their chances by missing free throws down the stretch. Coaches emphasize free throw shooting for this exact reason – points left at the foul line can make the difference between winning and losing.

2 or 3 Points – The Value of Distance Shooting

While free throws account for 1 point each, the majority of basketball scoring comes from 2 and 3-point field goals.

Inside the 3-point arc, field goals are worth 2 points. This includes routine jump shots, layups, floating bank shots, and thunderous dunks. Virtually any made shot from inside the 3-point line nets 2 points.

Outside the 3-point arc, field goals are called 3-pointers and are worth (you guessed it) 3 points! The ability to score from longer distances makes 3-point shooting a key part of any team‘s offense.

The 3-point line was first introduced by the NBA in the 1979-80 season, an experiment that changed the trajectory of basketball forever. While controversial at first, the 3-point line won over fans and has expanded multiple times to increase scoring:

Stats show just how reliant today‘s game is on the 3-ball:

• Over 35% of all shots taken are 3-pointers

• The best 3-point shooters make over 45% of attempts

• All-time NBA record for 3-pointers made is 402 by Stephen Curry

For teams trailing late in a game, the 3 is an essential weapon to rally from behind. Opponents will foul shooters or launch their own 3s in response, making late game situations thrilling for fans!

Rare Shots Worth More Than 3 Points

While most shots in basketball are worth 1, 2, or 3 points, there are two very rare scoring plays that can net a team more:

The 4-point play occurs when a player is fouled while successfully making a 3-point shot, resulting in one free throw. Making the free throw means 4 total points awarded!

Even rarer is the elusive 5-point play. This happens when a player makes a 3-point shot while being fouled, but that foul call itself was ruled flagrant or unsportsmanlike. That means 2 free throws, which can result in 5 total points if both are made!

Don‘t expect to ever see one of these in a game yourself – over 5+ decades of NBA history there have been fewer than 150 4-point plays and likely less than 10 5-point plays. But in a close playoff game, a decisive 4 or 5-point trip down the floor could clinch victory!

Pouring in the Points – Big Scoring Performances

While single shots can only score 1 to 5 points, when shots keep falling over a full 48 minute game, players can rack up some very impressive point totals. Here‘s a look at some of the highest scoring performances in NBA history:

• The NBA record is 100 points in a game by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962, a scoring feat unmatched for 60+ years. Many consider it basketball‘s greatest record.

• Lakers legend Kobe Bryant poured in 81 points in 2006, the 2nd highest total ever. Bryant‘s incredible offensive display included making 7 3-pointers.

• Michael Jordan memorably scored 63 points against the vaunted 1986 Celtics defense in a first round playoff game. Jordan proved he was ready to take over the NBA after just a few seasons.

• Young phenom Devin Booker scored an NBA rookie record 70 points in 2017, showing the next generation has plenty of scoring prowess.

For teams, the highest scoring game occurred in 1983 when the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in a thrilling triple overtime shootout. Players on both sides just couldn‘t miss that night! Games like that demonstrate how basketball can light up the scoreboard under the right conditions.

So while the trusty 1 point free throw lays the foundation, field goals from inside and outside the arc build a high scoring affair in basketball! Both players and teams can quickly accumulate points through sinking shots from all over the floor. The varied ways to score baskets is part of what makes basketball such an exciting sport to play and watch!