Players less skilled or is the defense better.

[Yosemite Dan]

Jeff Van Gundy brought this up a few weeks ago and I think I may agree with him after watching some old games. He said the reason for lower shooting percentages now compared to the 70's and 80's is that it's not because players can't shoot it's that teams are more defensively adept due to the coaching schemes and open shots are not as plentiful as yesteryear. Watching the Bulls\Celtics playoff game from the 80's I saw more open shots in 1 quarter than I usually see in a entire game now. Open lanes aplenty. There is much less flow to the game now and it is more physical. This could also be due to the bigger and wider bodies patrolling the paint. Less space equals less scoring.

Like hockey and football the motto is the best offense is a good defense. Every NBA team has like 5 assistants where in the old days it was just X's and O's.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

Defensive schemes are more complex than they have been, even man to man defense. Most coaches teach the on-the-line/up-the-line styles off the ball, which is a reason why players like Allen Iverson often lead the league in steals.

I still think that most NBA players will hit wide open jumpshots, but they are rarely seen, because there aren't a lot of wide open shots in today's league.

[3rdAnswer]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

Defensive schemes are more complex than they have been, even man to man defense. Most coaches teach the on-the-line/up-the-line styles off the ball, which is a reason why players like Allen Iverson often lead the league in steals.

I still think that most NBA players will hit wide open jumpshots, but they are rarely seen, because there aren't a lot of wide open shots in today's league.

[jplaya2023]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

players only wanting to dunk and shooot 3's are the reason for the decline in play. If players shot as much as they tried to dunk the league would be about the same

[jplaya2023]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

players only wanting to dunk and shooot 3's are the reason for the decline in play. If players shot as much as they tried to dunk the league would be about the same

[23]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

Players dont shoot as well now.

Their aren't as many mid range shooters as it used to be.

Players, lots of them lack basic fundamentals.

There are players in the L now who would never have been able to stand with the likes of the 70-80's players. They would simply not make the team.

You can name players now off the head who are no more than athletic freaks or tall, who can't shoot a lick, or play very well, but get paid big money.

JVG doesnt have a decent O system, yet claim its the D. no way... Teams also ran more back then.

[23]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

Players dont shoot as well now.

Their aren't as many mid range shooters as it used to be.

Players, lots of them lack basic fundamentals.

There are players in the L now who would never have been able to stand with the likes of the 70-80's players. They would simply not make the team.

You can name players now off the head who are no more than athletic freaks or tall, who can't shoot a lick, or play very well, but get paid big money.

JVG doesnt have a decent O system, yet claim its the D. no way... Teams also ran more back then.

[NEW_ORLEANS]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

Just think about the olympics look how team usa played and look how european teams played, key word fundamentals.

[NEW_ORLEANS]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

Just think about the olympics look how team usa played and look how european teams played, key word fundamentals.

[MDKKRB]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

Players now don't move well off the ball, they're almost all one on one players and can't play structured ball. Off the ball movement is one of the key reasons scoring is down that and the football mentality on defense.

[MDKKRB]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

Players now don't move well off the ball, they're almost all one on one players and can't play structured ball. Off the ball movement is one of the key reasons scoring is down that and the football mentality on defense.

[Yosemite Dan]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

While the game doesn't look as pretty as it once did I think that the best teams from the 80's would not compete well with the best teams of today. The rough and tumble Pistons of the early 90's started the trend that is the style of play today. They weren't the most talented team up front but opposing teams would pay a price in the paint. The Celts and the Lakers played a fundamentally sound game back then but I think if they played now they would be bounced around quite a bit because players now are stronger and wider and the guards faster. Could you really see Kareem and McHale being as successful now as they were then with the amount of abuse they would be subjected to from the behemoths around them.

Even Jordan packed on 20 pounds of muscle to use the extra strength to compete in the 90's. The lankier Jordan of the 80's would have a hard time being as successful.

If it's debatable that today's player is more skilled there can be no doubt that today's player is more athletic. I hate to admit it being a big fan of the golden 80"s but they look like they play in slow motion compared to now. Some of those Dr J highlight plays that I used to marvel at are done on a nightly basis these days.

I guess there isn't any sport today where the athletes aren't superior to their predecessors as strength and conditioning are very important now to athletes.

As for the olympic team it was more of a case of a group of individuals rather than working as a team. If the U.S had picked thier best niche players instead of Nike spokesman they would have won handily.

[Yosemite Dan]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

While the game doesn't look as pretty as it once did I think that the best teams from the 80's would not compete well with the best teams of today. The rough and tumble Pistons of the early 90's started the trend that is the style of play today. They weren't the most talented team up front but opposing teams would pay a price in the paint. The Celts and the Lakers played a fundamentally sound game back then but I think if they played now they would be bounced around quite a bit because players now are stronger and wider and the guards faster. Could you really see Kareem and McHale being as successful now as they were then with the amount of abuse they would be subjected to from the behemoths around them.

Even Jordan packed on 20 pounds of muscle to use the extra strength to compete in the 90's. The lankier Jordan of the 80's would have a hard time being as successful.

If it's debatable that today's player is more skilled there can be no doubt that today's player is more athletic. I hate to admit it being a big fan of the golden 80"s but they look like they play in slow motion compared to now. Some of those Dr J highlight plays that I used to marvel at are done on a nightly basis these days.

I guess there isn't any sport today where the athletes aren't superior to their predecessors as strength and conditioning are very important now to athletes.

As for the olympic team it was more of a case of a group of individuals rather than working as a team. If the U.S had picked thier best niche players instead of Nike spokesman they would have won handily.

[23]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

While the game doesn't look as pretty as it once did I think that the best teams from the 80's would not compete well with the best teams of today. The rough and tumble Pistons of the early 90's started the trend that is the style of play today.

I totally disagree. Not only did they play better as a team, but they shot better, and if they had access to the medicines, and equipment todays players have, that would make it even the more to their advantage.

As for the Pistons style of play, it is not allowed in todays NBA game. Refs dont allow players to rough up other guys. Look at this year for starters. They want to call more touch fouls. Couple that with changing the rules every year to fit the players instead of the players adjusting to the game.

They weren't the most talented team up front but opposing teams would pay a price in the paint. The Celts and the Lakers played a fundamentally sound game back then but I think if they played now they would be bounced around quite a bit because players now are stronger and wider and the guards faster. Could you really see Kareem and McHale being as successful now as they were then with the amount of abuse they would be subjected to from the behemoths around them.

With the shortage of PF's and C's and big men in general, McHale and Kareem would be prime commodities in todays game no question. Ask youself why brian cardinal and Adonal foyle demands big money nowadays. InKareems day they would not be in the L.

Even Jordan packed on 20 pounds of muscle to use the extra strength to compete in the 90's. The lankier Jordan of the 80's would have a hard time being as successful.

He didn't have to do it, but it only helped him because of the way teams were allowed to play and how much of the teams load he had to carry.

If it's debatable that today's player is more skilled there can be no doubt that today's player is more athletic. I hate to admit it being a big fan of the golden 80"s but they look like they play in slow motion compared to now. Some of those Dr J highlight plays that I used to marvel at are done on a nightly basis these days.

Todays players are more athletic but not better than yesterdays. Also how can teams that ran most of the time look like they played in slow mo? you telling me Magic and the showtime Lakers ran in slo mo?

I guess there isn't any sport today where the athletes aren't superior to their predecessors as strength and conditioning are very important now to athletes.

Yes but bball is the only game where the play has diminished so much. Look at how often the have to tweak the rules of the game to fit these players, even considering getting rid of the 3pt line, allowing zones, etc..

As for the olympic team it was more of a case of a group of individuals rather than working as a team. If the U.S had picked thier best niche players instead of Nike spokesman they would have won handily.

LB could have allowed LBJ and Wade to play more, and they should have picked guys who could shoot instead of making half the team slashers

[23]

Re: Players less skilled or is the defense better.

While the game doesn't look as pretty as it once did I think that the best teams from the 80's would not compete well with the best teams of today. The rough and tumble Pistons of the early 90's started the trend that is the style of play today.

I totally disagree. Not only did they play better as a team, but they shot better, and if they had access to the medicines, and equipment todays players have, that would make it even the more to their advantage.

As for the Pistons style of play, it is not allowed in todays NBA game. Refs dont allow players to rough up other guys. Look at this year for starters. They want to call more touch fouls. Couple that with changing the rules every year to fit the players instead of the players adjusting to the game.

They weren't the most talented team up front but opposing teams would pay a price in the paint. The Celts and the Lakers played a fundamentally sound game back then but I think if they played now they would be bounced around quite a bit because players now are stronger and wider and the guards faster. Could you really see Kareem and McHale being as successful now as they were then with the amount of abuse they would be subjected to from the behemoths around them.

With the shortage of PF's and C's and big men in general, McHale and Kareem would be prime commodities in todays game no question. Ask youself why brian cardinal and Adonal foyle demands big money nowadays. InKareems day they would not be in the L.

Even Jordan packed on 20 pounds of muscle to use the extra strength to compete in the 90's. The lankier Jordan of the 80's would have a hard time being as successful.

He didn't have to do it, but it only helped him because of the way teams were allowed to play and how much of the teams load he had to carry.

If it's debatable that today's player is more skilled there can be no doubt that today's player is more athletic. I hate to admit it being a big fan of the golden 80"s but they look like they play in slow motion compared to now. Some of those Dr J highlight plays that I used to marvel at are done on a nightly basis these days.

Todays players are more athletic but not better than yesterdays. Also how can teams that ran most of the time look like they played in slow mo? you telling me Magic and the showtime Lakers ran in slo mo?

I guess there isn't any sport today where the athletes aren't superior to their predecessors as strength and conditioning are very important now to athletes.

Yes but bball is the only game where the play has diminished so much. Look at how often the have to tweak the rules of the game to fit these players, even considering getting rid of the 3pt line, allowing zones, etc..

As for the olympic team it was more of a case of a group of individuals rather than working as a team. If the U.S had picked thier best niche players instead of Nike spokesman they would have won handily.

LB could have allowed LBJ and Wade to play more, and they should have picked guys who could shoot instead of making half the team slashers