Kevin Durant "It's Way Easier To Score In Today's NBA"

[MoneyTron]

BRON SHOT 80%FG AT
THE RIM THIS SEASON



​

Exactly. I get that players are more skilled today. But there's no way you're going to convince me that Bron at 37 is better around the rim than he was in Miami or 2009/2010.

In matter of fact, Bron's #2 and #3 most efficient seasons shooting from 0-3ft were 2021 and 2022 and 2022 was a dead tie with 2014 at 79.6%.

That's just the game becoming more offensively oriented whether through rule change or offensive innovation or both ie easier to score.

 

[IIVI]

It's funny, all this circular talk for a decade about:
"Team shooting"
"Hero ball"
"Analytics"
"3 points"
"Midrange"
"PER"
"+/-"

All at the end of the day to end with: "Yes, iso ball and players who can create their own shots are still highly effective - specially now because there's more space."

Houston Rockets knew about that during the 1990's championship runs. Look at how many threes they took both years compared to everyone else. They literally made teams decide: cover Olajuwon 1v1 or send help and risk the 3 pointers flying.

 

[threattonature]

Exactly. I get that players are more skilled today. But there's no way you're going to convince me that Bron at 37 is better around the rim than he was in Miami or 2009/2010.

In matter of fact, Bron's #2 and #3 most efficient seasons shooting from 0-3ft were 2021 and 2022.

That's just the game becoming more offensively oriented whether through rule change or offensive innovation, both ie easier to score.

That's mainly a product of the offensive talent forcing defenses to no longer play slow footed 7 footers whose main talent was protecting the rim. Since offenses can hunt those guys and shoot wide open threes if they don't move away from the basket, teams can't play them many minutes which leads to it being easier to finish at the rim.

 

[qashif]

teams guarding the 3pt line doesn't mean they play better defense in the past.
it means the defenses have adjusted to the current 3pt chucking paradigm. this doesn't make it intrinsically better

there will be another paradigm shift, and the defensive schemes will adjust accordingly
you saw a glimpse of this Zion with his historic debut.

 

[MoneyTron]

That's mainly a product of the offensive talent forcing defenses to no longer play slow footed 7 footers whose main talent was protecting the rim. Since offenses can hunt those guys and shoot wide open threes if they don't move away from the basket, teams can't play them many minutes which leads to it being easier to finish at the rim.

That too, although I think that falls under the offensive innovation category I have.

 

[Big Boss]

he's right

 

[MoneyTron]

I know I'm using Bron as an example in this thread but its not just about him. KD has also benefitted from recent developments as well. He's coming off a full Achilles tear in his early 30's and is arguably even more efficient in BRK than he was in Golden State despite dunking far less and more defensive attention.

Now that might be due to KD improving his game but I find it hard to believe he's still at his very peak now. But, I could be wrong.

 

[Fresh]

it's easier to score now because teams can't play hard defense anymore, like hand checking and leaning your forearm on your opponents backs when they're posting you up, etc

the NBA used to be allowed to play much more physical defense, now the refs call a foul if you sneeze on someone

also the NBA has become a lot more 3point happy now

there's other reasons too, but it's too much to type

 

[SAINT]

It's funny, all this circular talk for a decade about:
"Team shooting"
"Hero ball"
"Analytics"
"3 points"
"Midrange"
"PER"
"+/-"

All at the end of the day to end with: "Yes, iso ball and players who can create their own shots are still highly effective - specially now because there's more space."

Thats because they work in tadem/tatum(don’t ask me how ) not against each other.

 

[Ethnic Vagina Finder]

Zone defense hurt the NBA. It gave players the opportunity to take plays off on the defensive end. All the do is occupy space.

Also, front court players are now spot up shooters which forces their defender to play away from the basket.

 

[duckbutta]

They've legislated most of the physicality out of basketball, that's why any bum can get to the rim in one or two dribbles.

 

[FukyourFort]

Elite players will be highly effective in ANY era. The issue that those two stanbases have is they think those two are superior to other elites when they aren't.

They are though and most smart hoopers would agree who break the game down. Stop talking hoops please smh

 

[FukyourFort]

tired of non-hooping ass nikkas trying to talk up this era when so many changes were made for a more offensive game.

Its undeniable

 

[Field Marshall Bradley]

if it was harder to score because there were less space because the other players weren’t skilled enough.

They did not say that..... It is more talent in the league today.... but the issue back then was too many people in the paint..... and having to make your own space.... If the league went back to that... not stretching the floor, scoring would drop precipitously in this era as well

 

[FukyourFort]

Luka said its much easier to score 30 in the NBA compared to the euro League for a reason. The rules are made that way.

These kids are coming in very skilled for sure but that's not the end all be all.