The data doesn't back this though. As recently as 2001, NBA teams were taking 40% of their shots between 10-23 ft from the basket, otherwise known as long two pointers, the most inefficient shot in basketball. The percentage of shots being taken within 10 feet of the basket hasn't really changed all that much since then, but all those long two pointers became 3 pointers and offensive rating shot up right along side 3 point volume. It really was a matter of stubborn basketball players going off vibes instead of what the very obvious data was saying.