General
the paint
What does the paint mean?
The rectangular painted area under the basket extending to the free-throw line, also called the key or lane.
"He dominates the paint on both ends."
Origin
Named for the differently painted floor area.
Frequently asked questions
What is the paint in basketball?
The paint is the rectangular painted area under the basket extending out to the free-throw line, also called the key or the lane.
Why is it called the paint?
It's named after the section of the court floor that is painted a different color from the rest of the playing surface.
What does dominating the paint mean?
It means controlling the area near the basket on both offense and defense, through scoring inside, rebounding, and blocking shots.
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