In 1979, the National Basketball Association introduced the 3-point line as a way of rekindling fan interest. The hope was that by providing an extra incentive for longer shots, the focus of the game would shift away from lumbering big men and back to sharpshooting guards, and dramatic come-from-behind victories would replace the league's frequent blowouts. Twenty-five years later, though, things haven't worked out as planned. American basketball players can throw down mind-blowing dunks, but leave them wide open for a jumper and chances are pretty good they're going to clang it off the rim. In the last season that N.B.A. teams played without a 3-point line, every team in the league averaged more than 100 points per game; last season, only two teams averaged more than 100.

What happened? According to Stu Jackson, the N.B.A.'s senior vice president for basketball operations, the 3-point shot has been its own worst enemy. Rather than looking for their natural shooting range, players are tempted to chuck up glorious but usually errant 3-pointers, and they neglect the art of the midrange jumper. "If you look at the game overall," Jackson said in October, "including the collegiate and high-school level, since the inception of the 3-point shot -- it's being taken with an increasing amount of frequency, which in part has driven shooting percentages south."

Jackson's proposed solution is to do away with the 3-point line -- but only for part of the game. His idea is being tested out this season in the N.B.A.'s development league, where the 3-point line will be in effect in just the last three minutes of each quarter. Shooting percentages should go up, scores should be higher and the game should become more aesthetically pleasing.

Basketball purists tend to support the idea. "I kind of liked the 3-pointer before every player on every team was a 3-point shooter," said Steve Kerr, the N.B.A.'s all-time leader in 3-point shooting percentage, after hearing of Jackson's proposal. "It's being shot way too often these days, and it's hurting the game." JOEL LOVELL