Trend in the NBA

[frankbmd]

Move the three point line to mid court.

If that doesn’t work, raise the rim to 12 feet.

If that doesn’t work, put the rim in perpetual motion between 10 and 14 feet.

If that doesn’t work, mount a windmill on the top of the backboard with blades that spin in front of the basket as in miniature golf.

Finally if all else fails, increase the diameter of the ball to 14.95 inches and reduce the inside diameter of the rim to 15.05 inches.

Elect me for commissioner and ridiculous scoring will be history.

[barrysloate]

San Antonio 154, OKC 147 in double overtime.

LaMarcus Alridge with 56 points, Russell Westbrook with 24 points and 24 assists. The league keeps going in overdrive.

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

San Antonio 154, OKC 147 in double overtime.

LaMarcus Alridge with 56 points, Russell Westbrook with 24 points and 24 assists. The league keeps going in overdrive.

The history of NBA scoring over various eras is difficult to comprehend.

In the fifties I remember a playoff game ending 62-60 involving the Nats and the Lakers I believe. This was before the 24 second clock.

In the sixties, which I will call the Chamberlain era, the number of shots per game went up, rebounds particularly Wilt's went up and average scores were over 110. I believe the rebounding was in part due to the rules at the time on foul shots created more rebounds, as well as lower % of FG made and more shots per game.

Fast forward to the eighties with the introduction of the three point line. Scores did not continue to rise and in fact plummeted. Safe for a few, three point shooters were not as good as today, and defense was king. By 1990 the Pistons and the other better teams were holding opponents in the low 90s, despite the 24 second clock and the three point line. Shots per game were quite a bit lower than the Chamberlain era. Only a few teams averaged over 100 points per game.

This defense disappeared after 2000, scores began to increase. All-Star games have always had higher scores and a paucity of defense. The current NBA seems to entered, what I would call the "All-Star era".

If you look at a current shot distribution chart, 95% of the shots are either from the paint (high percentage dunks) or three pointers by and large. The 15 foot jump shot has all but disappeared.

Back in the sixties, one of the most remarkable statistics in my opinion was the fact that Wilt never fouled out of an NBA game and averaged 46-47 minutes of playing time in some years, if my memory is correct.

In the nineties with tighter defense, fouling out of games was a reality that players and coaches needed to contend with.

I haven't checked, but I imagine that the number of players fouling out of games is quite low today. Call it what you like: All-Star Ball, street ball, or hot-dogging, but today's game is more of a circus act than some of the basketball of the past.

I would say that this timeline for the NBA form 1954-2019 could not have been forecasted. Rule are rules and they have changed which have led to changes in the way the game is played. Each era, i'm sure, has its proponents. Personally the current game is not my favorite.

Disclaimer: This was written from memory without consulting statistics. Some of my statements may be a little off, but not much.

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

The history of NBA scoring over various eras is difficult to comprehend.

...

I would say that this timeline for the NBA form 1954-2019 could not have been forecasted. Rule are rules and they have changed which have led to changes in the way the game is played. Each era, i'm sure, has its proponents. Personally the current game is not my favorite.

Disclaimer: This was written from memory without consulting statistics. Some of my statements may be a little off, but not much.

Good stuff, although it struck me when reading through that athletes have also changed dramatically over the decades - and they have in every sport, making big impacts. Russell may not have ever fouled out, but I think if he were playing today with the amazing size and quickness of today's players, he'd need to push himself on defense more and likely commit more fouls.

And thinking on this just now, I wonder if there is a point in the NBA's history when we can identify when the "star treatment" started (star players getting favorable calls). Any idea?

[barrysloate]

There was a famous playoff game, played in the early fifties, where the Lakers won 19-17. I may be off but that is my memory.

Of course the league goes through phases, and it wasn't that long ago when it was not uncommon to see teams scoring in the 80's and 90's. Today the offense rules, and even if it's not perfect basketball at least it is more fun to watch.

My main objection, however, of how the game is played today is there are too many three-point shots. I get tired seeing players heaving it from 27 feet away instead of driving to the hoop, or working some plays inside. All of the league's three point records were set in the last few years.

[barrysloate]

Last night Houston tallies 141 and Golden State hits 146, and James Harden nearly has a triple-double by halftime. The NBA is cooking with heat. Whether or not this is a positive trend is unclear. But it is fun to watch.

[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Last night Houston tallies 141 and Golden State hits 146, and James Harden nearly has a triple-double by halftime. The NBA is cooking with heat. Whether or not this is a positive trend is unclear. But it is fun to watch.

Watched the Celtics/Raptors tilt last night and it was thoroughly enjoyable (especially as a Celtics fan). Also saw during the broadcast that the Rockets were heaving up 3-pointers at a record pace (which is no surprise).
Honestly, this type of game is more fun to watch than the game when I was growing up in the 80s, with big guys backing into the paint, etc. The skill to make threes at a good rate from a decent distance behind the arc is incredible to watch (not to mention that there is often a defender close by). And it keeps games close, as even a team up by 20 can be caught and it's not a big surprise. And perhaps this is just recency bias, but some of the ball handlers nowadays are ridiculous...