The game has changed dramatically.

[ChicosBailBonds]

1980, twenty 3 pointers were attempted in the NBA finals during the entire series.  TWENTY.

In this five game series, over 220 3 pointers were attempted.  Incredible change.


This is why comparing players, teams, etc just doesn't sit right with me other than having fan banter.  The game is different.  Totally different.  Sure, the rims are still 10 feet high, but anyone that is old enough (as I am) to have seen the NBA in the 1970's or 1980's, it is a far different game than it is today.  Flow is different, inside outside is different.  Mid range game existed back then, now it's deep bombs mostly.   Not better, not worse, but different.

When a player was around with the rules changes makes all the difference in the world considering how the game was played.

[brandx]

1980, twenty 3 pointers were attempted in the NBA finals during the entire series.  TWENTY.

In this five game series, over 220 3 pointers were attempted.  Incredible change.


This is why comparing players, teams, etc just doesn't sit right with me other than having fan banter.  The game is different.  Totally different.  Sure, the rims are still 10 feet high, but anyone that is old enough (as I am) to have seen the NBA in the 1970's or 1980's, it is a far different game than it is today.  Flow is different, inside outside is different.  Mid range game existed back then, now it's deep bombs mostly.   Not better, not worse, but different.

When a player was around with the rules changes makes all the difference in the world considering how the game was played.

I disagree on that one point. I think it is worse because you can't win a title on 3-point shooting.

Durrant shoots twice as many three-pointers as Bird and Ainge combined for back in the 80's when the Celtics were winning. And they were both great three-point shooters. Of course that may only be because there is no coach on the Thunder.

SA spreads the floor and uses the three pointer as just one weapon in its arsenal. Other teams run plays to set up the shot, but never use it to play off of.

[JTBMU7]

efficiency stats are changing the game, just like in baseball. more value and opportunity in the 3 than the 2, risk/reward but with the skill level of todays players, especially big men who can shoot, it makes it a need to be able to shoot 3s at a high level.
if you're not taking advatage of it you're basically playing a man down to a team that does. at least thats how it felt all season for MU...

it will be really, really nice to see if they can focus on/improve that area of the game.

[Windyplayer]

efficiency stats are changing the game, just like in baseball. more value and opportunity in the 3 than the 2, risk/reward but with the skill level of todays players, especially big men who can shoot, it makes it a need to be able to shoot 3s at a high level.
if you're not taking advatage of it you're basically playing a man down to a team that does. at least thats how it felt all season for MU...

it will be really, really nice to see if they can focus on/improve that area of the game.

Ners, even I'm impressed that you used this post as a vehicle to take another shot at DW. Wait a minute...

[NersEllenson]

Ners, even I'm impressed that you used this post as a vehicle to take another shot at DW. Wait a minute...

+ 1.

Stand by for your desired post.  Kidding.  I'm laying off DW.  Read his blog and it made me reconsider how hard I've been on him.  Never doubted his character/quality of kid he was, yet even though his basketball limitations are high for this level of ball...he's still a college kid at my alma mater, for a team I love.

Last year's frustration above and beyond Derrick...was squarely with Buzz.  Simply could not comprehend how a guy I admired as a coach/person, could change so drastically for the worse in one-year.  His character got revealed ultimately, and it wasn't pretty.  He cost us a good season last year with his decisions/coaching.  The talent was absolutely on that roster...just completely and totally mismanaged.

[Class71]

1980, twenty 3 pointers were attempted in the NBA finals during the entire series.  TWENTY.

In this five game series, over 220 3 pointers were attempted.  Incredible change.


This is why comparing players, teams, etc just doesn't sit right with me other than having fan banter.  The game is different.  Totally different.  Sure, the rims are still 10 feet high, but anyone that is old enough (as I am) to have seen the NBA in the 1970's or 1980's, it is a far different game than it is today.  Flow is different, inside outside is different.  Mid range game existed back then, now it's deep bombs mostly.   Not better, not worse, but different.

When a player was around with the rules changes makes all the difference in the world considering how the game was played.

Agree.

Once the 3 pointer was written into the rules the game changed dramatically since shooting 3's at 45% is equivalent to shooting 2's at 67.5%. Correct me if I am wrong but there are more consistent 45% 3 shooters than 67.5% 2 shooters. Therefore,  3 point shooting has become increasingly more important. Of course, the game needs balance outside and in but not recruiting 3 point shooters simply does not statistically add up. (Hope Bert is not listening).

Of course, other rule changes and physical aspects of players and tactics do not allow good comparisons either over the years. My approach, likely not the best approach, is to compare the relative strengths of teams in a given era and pick the ones that had the greatest relative advantage over teams in that era. For example, UCLA under Wooden  is IMHO the best all time in the NCAA although arguments can be made for others.  For their era they were the most dominant team I can remember but today the players are physically stronger so on an absolute basis not sure how they could be compared with today.

[Lennys Tap]

+ 1.

Stand by for your desired post.  Kidding.  I'm laying off DW.  Read his blog and it made me reconsider how hard I've been on him.  Never doubted his character/quality of kid he was, yet even though his basketball limitations are high for this level of ball...he's still a college kid at my alma mater, for a team I love.

Last year's frustration above and beyond Derrick...was squarely with Buzz.  Simply could not comprehend how a guy I admired as a coach/person, could change so drastically for the worse in one-year.  His character got revealed ultimately, and it wasn't pretty.  He cost us a good season last year with his decisions/coaching.  The talent was absolutely on that roster...just completely and totally mismanaged.

One obsession lost. Another found. Glad you're off the smack. Sorry you're filling the vacuum with meth.

[Mu92]

Should the 3 point line be changed to the 2.5 point line to limit its importance.  Should the college line be moved back to NBA range?

[Class71]

Should the 3 point line be changed to the 2.5 point line to limit its importance.  Should the college line be moved back to NBA range?

Should the shot clock be lengthened or shortened, should charges be called differently, should the 3 second clock be changed, should walking be called? Have no answer. Once Pandora's box is opened the game will change but not sure if good or bad.

[GGGG]

One obsession lost. Another found. Glad you're off the smack. Sorry you're filling the vacuum with meth.

The one thing you can say about Ners...he doesn't live in the shades of gray in life.  No matter his opinion, he is ALL IN baby!!!!

[tower912]

The NBA players have become taller, more muscular, than they were in the 70's/80's.    Defenses are more sophisticated and physical.   If I was going to make a change to the game, I would make the floor 10 ft wider.   Leave more room to operate on the wing, don't have to worry about heels being out of bounds as a 3 pt shot is launched. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

The one thing you can say about Ners...he doesn't live in the shades of gray in life.  No matter his opinion, he is ALL IN baby!!!!

Hot sports takes!

Nuance is for idiots!

[brandx]

Agree.

Once the 3 pointer was written into the rules the game changed dramatically since shooting 3's at 45% is equivalent to shooting 2's at 67.5%. Correct me if I am wrong but there are more consistent 45% 3 shooters than 67.5% 2 shooters. Therefore,  3 point shooting has become increasingly more important. Of course, the game needs balance outside and in but not recruiting 3 point shooters simply does not statistically add up.

Theoretically, you are right.

But I think the reality is a little different. I think 3 point shooters, on average tend to be more one-dimensional. I would take Serge Ibaka who shoots in the mid 50% range on twos (and who could be an all-star on many other teams or even on OKC if they had a real coach) over almost any three point shooter in the league. What he adds in inside presence and defense more than offsets the percentage differences in shooting.

I'm not arguing against the three-point shot. I just think it is emphasized way, way, way too much. None of the final 4 were in the top 10 in the league in 3 point attempts taken. A lot of losing teams were though.

[GGGG]

Simply could not comprehend how a guy I admired as a coach/person, could change so drastically for the worse in one-year. 

Probably because he wasn't as good as you initially made him out to be...and he's not as bad as you currently are making him out to be. 

Did he change?  Sure.  Did he change "so drastically?"  Nope.

You just may want to soften your opinions on people a little in the future.  Don't fall in love so quickly.  Don't make them out to be the enemy so quickly. 

[Class71]

Theoretically, you are right.

But I think the reality is a little different. I think 3 point shooters, on average tend to be more one-dimensional. I would take Serge Ibaka who shoots in the mid 50% range on twos (and who could be an all-star on many other teams or even on OKC if they had a real coach) over almost any three point shooter in the league. What he adds in inside presence and defense more than offsets the percentage differences in shooting.

I'm not arguing against the three-point shot. I just think it is emphasized way, way, way too much. None of the final 4 were in the top 10 in the league in 3 point attempts taken. A lot of losing teams were though.

Got to have both inside and out. The problem is not as simplistic as I made it. Look at it this way. Three point shooting percent made is not mutually exclusive from inside 2 point shooting percent and visa versa. That is, unless you have a good inside game the 3 pointer shooting averages will go down and the other way around. Therefore, the game can not be one way or the other. It is the balanced team that wins with that balance changing depending on defensive strengths of the other team.

Years ago 3 point shooting was almost non existent so clearly it was under utilized. Today some teams try to compensate for have poor inside shooting, rebounding, defense etc.. By just loading up on threes. Doesn' t work. Have to have the right balance of all. Not so easy but is the objective.

Appreciate your thoughts

[brandx]

Got to have both inside and out. The problem is not as simplistic as I made it. Look at it this way. Three point shooting percent made is not mutually exclusive from inside 2 point shooting percent and visa versa. That is, unless you have a good inside game the 3 pointer shooting averages will go down and the other way around. Therefore, the game can not be one way or the other. It is the balanced team that wins with that balance changing depending on defensive strengths of the other team.

Years ago 3 point shooting was almost non existent so clearly it was under utilized. Today some teams try to compensate for have poor inside shooting, rebounding, defense etc.. By just loading up on threes. Doesn' t work. Have to have the right balance of all. Not so easy but is the objective.

Appreciate your thoughts

Well put.

[TJ]

efficiency stats are changing the game, just like in baseball. more value and opportunity in the 3 than the 2, risk/reward but with the skill level of todays players, especially big men who can shoot, it makes it a need to be able to shoot 3s at a high level.
if you're not taking advatage of it you're basically playing a man down to a team that does. at least thats how it felt all season for MU...

it will be really, really nice to see if they can focus on/improve that area of the game.

MU 2013-14 was terrible all-around; can't just blame lack of 3 point shooting.  MU 2012-13 didn't have much 3 point shooting and was pretty successful.  3 point shooting is just one strategy - if you have kids who can shoot well consistently then it's a good strategy.  But it's still very possible to play winning basketball without above-average 3 point shooting.

[SaintPaulWarrior]

The NBA players have become taller, more muscular, than they were in the 70's/80's.    Defenses are more sophisticated and physical.   If I was going to make a change to the game, I would make the floor 10 ft wider.   Leave more room to operate on the wing, don't have to worry about heels being out of bounds as a 3 pt shot is launched. 

I agree 100%.  They should also widen the rink due to the increased size and speed in the NHL.  By doing that you are going to lose 2-4 rows of seats.  It is all about the $$$.