Are we entering a new age of defense?

[ropjhk]

Watch on YouTube

This YouTuber makes the argument that the NBA is beginning a new age where the league will emphasize defense and scores will come down. He observes how Silver was embarrassed over the All Star weekend and that since then scoring have been down. This is all culminating into the playoffs where players are allowed to play more defense and thus making the game much more pleasurable to watch.

Have you guys noticed this trend? Do you think the games have been officiated differently since the all star game?

Is this better for the game? Should the NBA revert back to a style that allows more aggressive defense? Does this make the games better to watch vs. what we've been getting in recent years?

Will this trend continue into the future? Or will the NBA revert back to being a scorers league as it often does after apparent crackdowns meant to improve defense?

[Hobo4President]

Maybe. I had a quick peek at the playoffs numbers as that's where we typically see defences tighten up and this year doesn't look a whole lot different from some other years, however those years have more data and the later rounds, maybe by the end we'll see a dip in efficiency and scoring. Probably be good to compare to RS averages too and maybe FTR. Someone with more knowledge might be better weighing in.

24 Playoffs
PPG: 105.1
TS%: 56.1
ORTG: 112.7

23 Playoffs
PPG: 109.6
TS%: 56.6
ORTG: 113.5

22 Playoffs
PPG: 106.3
TS%: 56.7
ORTG: 111.2

21 Playoffs
PPG: 110.3
TS%: 57.1
ORTG: 114.3

20 Playoffs
PPG: 109.6
TS%: 57.4
ORTG: 111.3

19 Playoffs
PPG: 107.7
TS%: 55.5
ORTG: 109.4

18 Playoffs
PPG: 104.4
TS%: 55.5
ORTG: 108.9

[sp6r=underrated]

Eh maybe. I had a quick peek at the playoffs numbers and this year doesn't look very different from some other years, however those years have more data and the later rounds, maybe by the end it'll have a noticeable dip. Probably be good to compare to RS averages too. Someone with more knowledge might be better weighing in.

24 Playoffs
PPG: 105.1
TS%: 56.1
ORTG: 112.7

23 Playoffs
PPG: 109.6
TS%: 56.6
ORTG: 113.5

22 Playoffs
PPG: 106.3
TS%: 56.7
ORTG: 111.2

21 Playoffs
PPG: 110.3
TS%: 57.1
ORTG: 114.3

20 Playoffs
PPG: 109.6
TS%: 57.4
ORTG: 111.3

19 Playoffs
PPG: 107.7
TS%: 55.5
ORTG: 109.4

18 Playoffs
PPG: 104.4
TS%: 55.5
ORTG: 108.9

Color me skeptical. The only way it is going down is if the NBA sees ratings drop and research shows it is dropping due to offense.

Boston has a 3PAr of nearly 50% this post-season and they are slaughtering opponents. If this holds up we could easily see 1/2 the shots being 3s.

[Shaka_Zulu]

About time league office took note of harder buckets and overall defense intensity can be exiting too (adds variation to the product).

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[TravisScott55]

I hope so. NBA is better when you can play defense.

[ChipotleWest]

It'd be nice if there was any sort of consistency, Wolves get to play very physical and haven't had the refs calling every little foul while SGA got regular season calls against the Mavs in their game. One team gets rewarded for physicality, another gets punished.

[Godymas]

not but i love seeing these diva stars get owned by the refs and love when future face of the league Ant calls out SGA for foul baiting

[cupcakesnake]

The NBA sent out new "points of emphasis" to teams and officiating crews post all-star break. It allowed for a little more defensive contact, curtailed the foul calls on rip through moves, flopping violations, and a few other minor adjustments. It 100% changed the game. Offensive ratings came back down to earth in the second half of the season.

For all you who watch games in the regular season, the difference was pretty stark. It's louder now that more people are watching because it's the playoffs. Honestly it's fixed NBA basketball for me so I hope it stays consistent going forward.

[ropjhk]

It'd be nice if there was any sort of consistency, Wolves get to play very physical and haven't had the refs calling every little foul while SGA got regular season calls against the Mavs in their game. One team gets rewarded for physicality, another gets punished.

Touch fouls kill the game flow and make it less pleasing to watch. I also wish there was more consistency.

[MoneyTalks41890]

not but i love seeing these diva stars get owned by the refs and love when future face of the league Ant calls out SGA for foul baiting

Ant is an actual foul baiter https://m.startribune.com/anthony-edwards-drawing-more-fouls-nba-minnesota-timberwolves/600334723/?clmob=y&c=n&clmob=y&c=n

[CIN-C-STAR]

JJ Reddick told me that refereeing had nothing to do with the scoring increase in the first place, players were just bums in the past and now they're smarter, more skilled and more athletic.
So clearly, players are not as smart, skilled or athletic as they were two months ago

[FarBeyondDriven]

no. It's just the way the officiating can more easily control outcomes of games because they don't allow both teams to play this way. Just the teams they want to win.

[Sealab2024]

There's a balance to be upheld here. If you over emphasize defense then teams start drafting primarily for defense and we end up with some very, very ugly offensive basketball. Ever seen a D-2 basketball game where nobody can hit a shot?

Just make rules that allow a defender to honestly defend a guy. Quit with the constant cheap fouls. Don't nobody wanna watch a guy take 18 free throws.