What would you say the reason NBA scoring has dropped so much thru the years?

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Rx Wizard
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Does anyone have stats to back up the fact the numbers are down?

Is FG pct way down?
Less shots taken per game?
Fast break points down?
What about FT pct (which should tell if guys are better shooters overall)


I remember when the Pistons were winning in the late 80's and how keeping an opponenet under 100 pts was a huge accomplishment.

I am sure most of the older posters are going to say that the players are not as good which I do not bu,y as the level of basketball from the high school level on up is way better and with the influx of foriegn players has created more talent nationwide.

Instead of looking at this negatively, I think that defense is stressed way more that in the day and the players are way bigger and more physical but I have no proof. Looking for more statistical proven examples, does anyone know?
 

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The obvious answer to the masses is like you said the players are worse. Nobody can shoot the mid range jumper or otherwise any longer. And this would be plain and simply very wrong.

There are plenty of people that can, they just are no longer good enough to play in the NBA. It has become proven over time that the better athlete is the way to go. This is why a guy like Redick would have been great in the days of yesteryear, cannot even sniff the court this day and age. The game has changed and you must be able to defend to play in the league.

In addition, now with every game on TV the coaches are so familiar with how to defend the opposition, that a good game plan is in place defensively very easily. Defenses in general have become much more sophisticated. You see WAY more double teaming now than back in the day. You had good offensive players getting defended by good offensive players that could not defend back then without many doubles. Over time, teams realized that lock down defenders were better plays, even if you gave up something on offense.

The size of the players has also led to more congestion on the court and less room for the stars to roam.

I could write a detailed ten page report on this, but this is the cliff notes version.
 

To be the best, you have to beat the best
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You are correct on stressing defense more....but watch the games of the mid-late 80's. More ball movement, more movement away from the ball, less 1 on 1 play....in essence far more exciting basketball, and higher scoring.
 

Rx Senior
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More atheltic defenders... Everyone is bigger and stronger... Also, there is more stress on playing D...
 

''AKA'' MONGO SLADE FROM BROOKLAND, NY
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2 many 3 point shots missed & d-fence, plus alot of big men can't shoot free throws
 

"I like ketchup. It's like tomato wine."
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Pat Riley's NY Knicks!!!! That's when extreme defense came in to play and everyone started doing it.

It ruined the game.
 

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Definitely has to do with defense being stressed more now. I have been computer tracking the NBA for over 20 years now and back then the average total score for a game was around 219 pts. Now it is around 193. That is a huge difference!
 
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The obvious answer to the masses is like you said the players are worse. Nobody can shoot the mid range jumper or otherwise any longer. And this would be plain and simply very wrong.
There are plenty of people that can, they just are no longer good enough to play in the NBA. It has become proven over time that the better athlete is the way to go. This is why a guy like Redick would have been great in the days of yesteryear, cannot even sniff the court this day and age. The game has changed and you must be able to defend to play in the league.

In addition, now with every game on TV the coaches are so familiar with how to defend the opposition, that a good game plan is in place defensively very easily. Defenses in general have become much more sophisticated. You see WAY more double teaming now than back in the day. You had good offensive players getting defended by good offensive players that could not defend back then without many doubles. Over time, teams realized that lock down defenders were better plays, even if you gave up something on offense.

The size of the players has also led to more congestion on the court and less room for the stars to roam.

I could write a detailed ten page report on this, but this is the cliff notes version.
Always a fan of cliff notes....very good analysis..
 

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I blame the fucking coaches for micro managing every damn possesion.

Fratello and the Van Gindies of basketball ha ruined the entertainment level so much it's hard to watch.

Hell the pistons was a terrible game to watch and I'm a HUGE fan.
 

WVU

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2 many 3 point shots missed & d-fence, plus alot of big men can't shoot free throws


Common scenario, shot clock is winding down so a player launches a three. He misses and a team mate grabs the long offensive rebound. Half court offense gets reset and team again runs more clock. There are much more 3 point shots taken and the number of total shots has decreased as well. So it is pretty safe to assume that the 3 point shot is at least partially responsible for the decrease in scoring
 

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Kids cant shoot fouls shots worth a damn,too much one on one look at me thing.kids coming out of college to early no team players staying together for any length of time.the game is no way as good now but it only going to get worst as these babies come out early to the nba for the big money.....ck
 

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scoring was much worse 5 years ago.

Yes, to the leagues credit they did go the 14 second shot clock after fouls etc, even though for no good reason other than increase scoring, and have started calling the hand checks again.
 

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More atheltic defenders... Everyone is bigger and stronger... Also, there is more stress on playing D...

Without a doubt above is a main reason why NBA scoring is down. Back in the day the defense would back off you and you could make a pass. Today and as of late they get right in your shirt and play tough defense. Plus with more athletic players and it gets much tougher. Add to that what Fat Tony said (a few others as well) about Pat Riley...the the Celts beat them by being physical in 84 he learned a lot and brought that to the Knicks. Riley had them playing ferocious defense and also grabbing and mauling to make it ridiculous. Many copied that and there you have it. Teams also didn't run anymore for the most part which also contributed. It is truly amazing that the Celts Lakers played a giant playoff game with both teams scoring 120's at times and less than 15 years later you have playoff games in the 80's. What a mind boggling difference. The NBA went from a high to a low for many.
 

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I think the NBA needs to widen the court slightly so players have more room to maneuver on the sides of the court. Three point line too close to the sideline in the corners.
 

Hang em and Bang Em
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I think a lot of the teams have almost a deal where not to put out 100% effort until the 4th quarter. Kinda just dribble up run a play and see what happens.
 

Home Sweet Home
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Defense is more stressed now?

In Jordan's Era I think defense was more stressed by far... The knock on the NBA today is that none of these kids that were coming out of High School wanted to play a lick of defense... Defense was definitely stressed more so in Jordan's era..

I would say the Zone defense is limiting scoring and making more teams run the clock down... And I don't see how scoring is way down...

in 1996 the Bulls had the 4th best defense in basketball and allowed 92 PPG... That was where good teams were then defensively and that is where they are now... The great Pistons Defense allowed 90 PPG.... So it is about the same... I'm talkin the Pistons defense of now
 

Oh boy!
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Defense is more stressed now?

In Jordan's Era I think defense was more stressed by far... The knock on the NBA today is that none of these kids that were coming out of High School wanted to play a lick of defense... Defense was definitely stressed more so in Jordan's era..

I would say the Zone defense is limiting scoring and making more teams run the clock down... And I don't see how scoring is way down...

in 1996 the Bulls had the 4th best defense in basketball and allowed 92 PPG... That was where good teams were then defensively and that is where they are now... The great Pistons Defense allowed 90 PPG.... So it is about the same... I'm talkin the Pistons defense of now

YES!! themanej2001 is back!

:aktion033 :dancefool :dancefool

Are you going to the Bash ej?
 

Home Sweet Home
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YES!! themanej2001 is back!

:aktion033 :dancefool :dancefool

Are you going to the Bash ej?

Not back just an off day from work and relaxing for a few... Far from back.. Summers are filled with drinking and working... so never really on the computer...

Won't be at the bash I'm only 20
 

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