Anthony Edwards photographs it from deep like never before. Is the 3-ball evolution good or bad?

The NBA’s deep dive into three-point shooting has completely transformed the game. Today the 3 is not just a weapon; it is the basis of almost every offense. Analytics demand it, coaches preach it and players adapt to it. But here’s the question: has this evolution really been good for the game? Is basketball more fun to watch, or has something been lost in the process?

Last season, the Boston Celtics won the NBA Finals, shattering the three-point record previously set by the Houston Rockets. Now other teams are following suit: three-pointers are way at the top in the league, with 41.7% of shots coming from behind the arc. If this continues, it will be the first time in NBA history that the three-point percentage exceeds 40%.

The Timberwolves have had one of the most dramatic shifts this season, with 50.5% of their shots coming from No. 3, second behind only Boston. This comes a year after they ranked 17th in 3-point percentage. It’s clear that Minnesota is trying to follow league trends as an attempt to jump from a West finals appearance to a champion.

At the heart of Minnesota’s embrace of the three-point revolution is Anthony Edwards, who has made 90 total shots this season, including 53 from behind the arc. That is a percentage of 58.9%. Higher than James Harden ever had. Higher than any other player with an average of more than 25 points. Higher than you would expect from a dynamic player capable of cutting, connecting and finishing at the rim with authority. But this is the style he embraces in all contexts of the game:

In the clips above, Edwards hits 3s by running a pick-and-roll, sliding a screen, reusing a screen and pulling up in transition. He’s hunting all the time. And making it too. Edwards has drained 37.1 percent of his dribble-jumper 3s and 50 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s. Prior to this regular season, Edwards had shot 33.2 percent and 38.7 percent, respectively. We’ll see if these career best percentages hold up.

But with Edwards taking on this perimeter-centric role, questions arise about what’s left on the table. By relying so heavily on the long ball, is Ant sacrificing some of his best qualities? Is he losing opportunities to develop his weakest offensive skill: playmaking? And would the MJ-esque midrange pull-ups and athletic drives that made him a nostalgic fan favorite slip away?

On the latest episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show, I brought in Timberwolves expert Dane Moore to discuss Minnesota’s new style. Moore said the increase in 3s isn’t necessarily dictated by Wolves head coach Chris Finch. It’s just the way the team is put together. I believe it.

Yes, the Wolves use more off-ball screens that swing players into 3s (or swing toward the basket). And they show more motion and movement than before. But the massive increase in three-point attempts is largely just about Edwards.

Karl-Anthony Towns is the self-proclaimed greatest three-point shooting giant of all time, and he is gone. But Julius Randle has always taken his share of 3s, too. And shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo is also a high-end 3-point ace.

Rotation players like Mike Conley, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker took a lot of 3s before, so nothing has changed there either.

Edwards alone has fueled Minnesota’s three-point surge, going from a modest third of his attempts from deep last season to more than half this year. At just 23 years old, he is still developing and still figuring out what player he needs to be to win at the highest level. Tuesday’s game against the Mavericks was a perfect test case.

In the first quarter, Edwards looked unstoppable, scoring 24 points and hitting 3s from all over the floor. But once Dallas got tougher, pressured him in transition and shut down those easy looks, everything changed. In the half court, the Mavericks started switching on almost every screen, often with PJ Washington shadowing him. Edwards struggled to find his shot against their weak drop defense, and the ball pressure led to some sloppy turnovers late in the game.

To go further than the Timberwolves last season, these are the matchups where Ant needs to utilize his full toolbox, especially his drive. And in a long regular season, Edwards has an excellent opportunity to sharpen his game and add layers to his game. Right now his focus is on the 3. But at some point he also has to make his teammates better by manipulating the defense as a passer.

However, it’s no surprise that the Timberwolves are embracing Edwards playing this way. His shot looks excellent. This is how teams win today. But this isn’t just about strategy – it’s about the broader evolution of basketball itself.

Think about what basketball used to be like. A tapestry of styles, where each team carries its own identity. In the past, the three-pointer was the surprise. The knockout punch. Now it’s just another injection. You can watch a match and immediately know: This is Spurs basketball or These are the seven seconds or less suns or These are the Grit and Grind Grizzlies. Today? You’d be forgiven for confusing the styles. When everyone executes similar three-point strategies at high volume, that signature identity fades into the background, and what’s left is a competition that sometimes feels like a copy-and-paste affair.

From a narrative perspective, the three-point shot was once a sensation due to its rarity. But do fans really want a player with Edwards’ build to make a higher number of 3 shots than Reggie Miller or Ray Allen ever did in their careers? The three-pointer, in all its efficiency, has become routine, and with it some of the drama has disappeared.

Don’t get me wrong. Looking at Steph Curry, Mike Breen lets out “Bang!” shout. with logo 3s is exciting. It’s commendable to see centers like Brook Lopez adapt by migrating from the post to the three-point line. And it’s remarkable to see the Celtics combining elements of what the Warriors and Rockets pioneered to revolutionize the game.

The talent in the league is greater than ever, and the level of competition in the West and East behind Boston means the level of competition is high going into this season. But TV ratings have fallen in the past week, with many factors at play, including the absence of superstars. When that three-point style becomes the de facto status of the game for almost all players and teams, the tension can also diminish for many fans.

For individual players like Edwards, and for the NBA as a whole, the challenge is finding the sweet spot between analysis and artistry. Ultimately, most fans not only want a good shot overview, but also a good story. And maybe the story would be better if there was a little more variety in the way it was told.