3 ball specifically is referred to when playing pool. When referring to the
NBA they are referring to teams mostly shooting 3 pointers during the
game. Most notable teams to shoot a lot of 3 pointers are Houston Rockets and Golden State warriors . When both teams are mostly scoring layups they are in attack mode. When all the offensive players post up in the back court, and the defense comes out to guard on the 3 pointer line, this is considered 3ball meaning the offense is looking to shoot a 3 pointer and the defense is privy to the fact and
will leave the zone underneath the hoop , to come out and guard the 3 point shooters . In today’s
NBA it’s not un Common for all five players in a half court
set offense to simply stand on the 3 point line waiting for a pass to come to them and to take a wide open 3. A lot of old school players and announcers such as Charles Barkley and jalen rose for example often say “ you live by the 3 and
die by the 3” both of these players were prevalent in the 80s and 90s and 2000s . Most players who
shot 3 pointers would take the
shot from at the 3 point line or a foot or two back. Players like today’s point guard Damien Lillard on the
Portland Trailblazers frequently shots from 10
feet behind the 3 point line which is only couple of more
feet from the half court mark. Steph curry has made several half court shots in his career. Kevin Durant also shoots very
deep . Even Kobe Bryant didn’t shoot as far as players do today.