Is scoring taking a dip every year ?

[Mandich]

Scoring averages are not as high as they used to be
right now KD leads the league with 27.4 ppg
Did scoring take a dip or is it just me ?

[deihatein]

Must be the defense or he is not shooting very well and takes less possessions.

[Mandich]

dei., I'm not aiming KD specifically , I mean in general.

[deihatein]

Must be the defense really.

[Andrew]

Going back a few years, it's been fairly steady for the last few seasons. It's down a little this year with fewer players in the top ten averaging over 25 ppg as of this post and the leader is under 30 ppg so far, but looking at the numbers I'd have to say no, scoring isn't really taking a dip every year.

[benji]

If only there was some way to easily research this...

To start: What the hell is your "used to be"?

[NovU]

Perhaps, Miami big three being together also affects a bit. Bron, Wade, Bosh averaged nearly 30, 27, 24 respectively last year.

[The X]

Durant has had some injuries & Westbrook has exploded this season taking some of his points. LBJ & Wade are sharing points/shots. There goes 3 of the highest scoring players. Who else? Melo? He's got trade rumours in background. Kobe? He's averaging similar numbers to last year. So no, I don't really see it to be honest.

Overall scoring is down about 0.5ppg but it is early in season so I expect that to be closer to last year once all is said & done.

[benji]

Only compared to last year. It's equal to or higher than every single season of the last decade.

This is why we need people to be more specific. I mean we're saying "used to be" when just five years ago we were scoring 3-7 points less per game on average. You plot scoring and this season is higher than most in the last 20 years.

[The X]

I know but the context of his question suggested that he was only comparing to last season.

[benji]

He said "every year" and "used to be" and "in general" so just going by points per game...

Since 2004:
2003-04: 93.4
2004-05: 97.2
2005-06: 97.0
2006-07: 98.7
2007-08: 99.9
2008-09: 100.0
2009-10: 100.4
2010-11: 99.9

And since used to be can be either say:
1984-85: 110.6
or
1965-66: 115.5
or even
1953-54: 79.5

So the answer to his question can either be no or yes.

[Modifly]

To add to what have already been said, only a handful of guys in the NBA are capable of averaging 30 points a game. Kobe, LeBron, Wade, KD, Melo and a few others. A lot of guys are capable of averaging around 25 points, but only a handful can put up 30 points on a daily basis.

[benji]

30 is entirely a factor of the rest of the team, not the player himself. 16 times in the last 20 years has someone hit 30. Only two of them used less than or equal to 32% of possessions.

Here's your leaders:

Code: Select all

1.   Kobe Bryant-LAL   36.1
2.   Kevin Durant-OKC   31.9
3.   LeBron James-MIA   31.8
4.   Russell Westbrook-OKC   31.4
5.   Derrick Rose-CHI   31.3

Also, just posted of some relevance: http://www.basketball-reference.com/blog/?p=8359

And if you throw out LeBron and Jordan (gods) and Iverson (who else is going to shoot?) it's only six. Three of them Kobe.

[Modifly]

Wow. T-Mac looks pretty good in that link.

[Mandich]

Benji I was referring to that n the last 15-20 years players in teh top ten are averaging less points

[The X]

You should definitely be more specific then. You should say as far as individual scorers go KD averaging only 27ppg whereas MJ use to average 37ppg in the late 80's. As far as team average scores etc.

Back in 80's there was less emphasis on defense, less coaching, less timeouts, better fundamentals, different interpretation on rules by referees, no zone defenses, less time in gym & more on basketball court, AAU high school ball, plus the best players don't get 3 to 4 years of coaching of fundamentals & team basketball in college as they use to, now these AAU prima donnas use it as 1 & done.

So a combination of those factors listed plus more.

[Rip32]

I've always noticed that in the past 10 or so years, that the league's top scorers are always taking a boat load of shots to get to their points, and that has an adverse effect on their team. Many times, the leading scorer's team isn't great McGrady 02-04, Iverson 04-05, Kobe 05-07, and Wade/Durant the past two seasons).

That may or may not be viable opinion (I see that it has its flaws with LBJ, Shaq and Jordan), but the leading scorers in the NBA are always big stars, and today the worst teams (and mediocre low playoff seeds) don't have bona fide star scorers. There aren't any like prime Tracy McGrady or Kobe Bryant floating around on so-so teams now, so that may have an effect.

[Andrew]

Back in 80's there was less emphasis on defense, less coaching

I'm inclined to agree on the rest of them, not sure about those two though.

[rise]

but the leading scorers in the NBA are always big stars, and today the worst teams (and mediocre low playoff seeds) don't have bona fide star scorers.

I think I disagree with that: Monta Ellis is a damn good scorer, and Stephen Curry is improving, but the Warriors weren't even in the playoffs at all last season. I'm not sure they'll make it this year either. Besides, Monta Ellis ins't really a household name yet and he's averaging what, 26 ppg?

[Rip32]

I think I disagree with that: Monta Ellis is a damn good scorer, and Stephen Curry is improving, but the Warriors weren't even in the playoffs at all last season. I'm not sure they'll make it this year either. Besides, Monta Ellis ins't really a household name yet and he's averaging what, 26 ppg?

Yeah, that's one guy who isn't a big-name yet, well on his way though. My point is still that bad teams house scoring champs more times than not.

[The X]

Back in 80's there was less emphasis on defense, less coaching

I'm inclined to agree on the rest of them, not sure about those two though.

When I said less coaching, I meant less (over-)coaching. Some coaches call plays every time down court rather than just letting the guys play the game.

[Andrew]

Fair enough. I'm not sure about there being less emphasis on defense though, especially since the rules allowed play that was a bit rougher.

[atlwarrior]

In the 80s there was no such stupid rule called "hand checking." The more I look at the games before that rule, the more I hate it.

[Murat]

Note: In 80's teams used to score lowestly 100 as well.