True or False: Scoring is inflated in 2022-2023?

[beasted86]

Just as the title says, want to ask others.

With the number of 40 point games, multiple players going for 70+ in one season, and bench role players like Cam Thomas and Shake Milton having multi-game stretches offer 25 PPG, does anyone believe that scoring is easier in today's league than ever before?

[dhopisthename]

its clearly up. the pace and space offenses along with 3pt shooting is making scoring higher then a long time.

[valade16]

Raw point totals have increased, that is beyond doubt. As for inflated, relative to what? Compared to the 90’s/early 00’s for example, every other period in NBA history (absent the 50’s) is inflated.

[Bostonjorge]

Sacramento Kings have the highest offensive rating of all time. They are truly having a great season.

Scoring is definitely up in the league but I think it’s a great thing and not a negative.

[Heediot]

Its not just pace and 3 point shooting. It's also a culture thing. Everybody is load managing, regular season is meaningless for the most part. No ine is game planned for 90 percent of the time. Guys like Lauri markanen can go from a 3/4 option to a number 1 option with less stress and adversity. So guys shooting percentages aren't hurting so bad. Guys like cam thomas can hit 40 3 days in a row. True colors will show when guys are game planned and defenses and refereeing change in the playoffs. About 2nd round and beyond you'll see a change.

[Big Moves03]

It's probably never been easier for a player who can dribble and shoot to score in the NBA as it is in the present period and this holds even more true for superstar-caliber players. When this is coupled with the high reliance on superstars that the league has moved closer towards since the 80s, I would think it amounts to star players putting up inflated numbers relative to their counterparts in previous eras. In previous years, there was more of an emphasis on half court execution and running an offense, so the game tended to be more team oriented and not as reliant on the top players on the team doing most of the work (they still relied on these guys but I think it was to a lesser extent than in the past 7 years or so; it would be interesting to put this hypothesis to the test and compare superstars' or all-star caliber players' usage rates, touches, and time of possession with the ball, along with shot attempts and other related numbers to see if teams are actually relying a lot more on their star players for production then in the past). If this is the case though, it would indicate that at least star players are putting up inflated numbers at present relative to previous years. It is an open question though so I could certainly be wrong.

[ewing]

It's probably never been easier for a player who can dribble and shoot to score in the NBA as it is in the present period and this holds even more true for superstar-caliber players. When this is coupled with the high reliance on superstars that the league has moved closer towards since the 80s, I would think it amounts to star players putting up inflated numbers relative to their counterparts in previous eras. In previous years, there was more of an emphasis on half court execution and running an offense, so the game tended to be more team oriented and not as reliant on the top players on the team doing most of the work (they still relied on these guys but I think it was to a lesser extent than in the past 7 years or so; it would be interesting to put this hypothesis to the test and compare superstars' or all-star caliber players' usage rates, touches, and time of possession with the ball, along with shot attempts and other related numbers to see if teams are actually relying a lot more on their star players for production then in the past). If this is the case though, it would indicate that at least star players are putting up inflated numbers at present relative to previous years. It is an open question though so I could certainly be wrong.

You are correct usage rates are up for star players. We went from 7 seconds or less being the model to copy to Harden's rockets. Dantoni giveth and Dantoni taketh away.

[Big Moves03]

You are correct usage rates are up for star players. We went from 7 seconds or less being the model to copy to Harden's rockets. Dantoni giveth and Dantoni taketh away.

The basketball that the rockets played when Harden was there is easily my least favorite brand of basketball. Usage rates being up among star players does make sense though given their increase in production over the past few years.

[ewing]

The basketball that the rockets played when Harden was there is easily my least favorite brand of basketball. Usage rates being up among star players does make sense though given their increase in production over the past few years.

It’s always a topic of conversation with my Knicks. Thibs has always believed in super high usage for his stars. It turns out he was ahead of his time and not behind like so many claimed, Last year Barrett n Randle were the 2nd most “used” pair in the league despite awful shooting #s. This year the Knicks are top 5 in offensive rating. Brunson is here and Randke been reallly good but what they do hadn’t changed. they are dead last in assists again, lean heavily on a couple guys, and play a ball control style.

The philosophy is to get it up court without turnovers. You don’t want to walk it but advance passes should lead to a layup or open 3 and never a TO

Then you play 4 out with the ball in a stars hand, he gets a screen from a rim diving big and goes to work. If the defense forces a kick out you have 3 guys waiting around the arc. If he drives and shoots he probably made the opposing big step up and your rim diver tries to get the offensive rebound.

You can’t be quite this simple all the time but you deviate from this plan and complicate things as a little as possible. Don’t turn it over, get the ball to a star, space/crash the glass.

Simple basketball has always been winning basketball. Right now offensive players are so effective in isolation that many teams see the style of play many associate with “better” offense as unnecessarily complicated. It is high risk and less effective

I think we are going to see more stories like Lauri’s. He’s a high usage guy now and is damn good. In another context he’s a pretty good spacing cog. His break out has a lot more to do with role then skills or playing time


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[ewing]

The other thing I think we see more and especially in the regular season is teams not looking to take advantage of mismatches if one of there spacer/cog has one. Trey Young will be guarding a 6’9 guy and he’s just spacing corner


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[Big Moves03]

It’s always a topic of conversation with my Knicks. Thibs has always believed in super high usage for his stars. It turns out he was ahead of his time and not behind like so many claimed, Last year Barrett n Randle were the 2nd most “used” pair in the league despite awful shooting #s. This year the Knicks are top 5 in offensive rating. Brunson is here and Randke been reallly good but what they do hadn’t changed. they are dead last in assists again, lean heavily on a couple guys, and play a ball control style.

The philosophy is to get it up court without turnovers. You don’t want to walk it but advance passes should lead to a layup or open 3 and never a TO

Then you play 4 out with the ball in a stars hand, he gets a screen from a rim diving big and goes to work. If the defense forces a kick out you have 4 guys waiting around the arc. If he drives and shoots he probably made the opposing big step up and your rim diver tries to get the offensive rebound.

You can’t be quite this simple all the time but you deviate from this plan and complicate things as a little as possible. Don’t turn it over, get the ball to a star, space/crash the glass.

Simple basketball has always been winning basketball. Right now offensive players are so effective in isolation that many teams see the style of play many associate with “better” offense as unnecessarily complicated. It is high risk and less effective

I think we are going to more stories like Lauri’s. He’s a high usage guy now and is damn good. In another context he’s a pretty good spacing cog. His break out has a lot more to do with role then skills or playing time


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I've actually been pretty high on Lauri for a while. I thought he wasn't really being used to his full potential on his previous teams. I actually watch several of the knicks games because I like Randle and like listening to Walt Frazier call games. I don't mind how the knicks generally play.

[ewing]

I've actually been pretty high on Lauri for a while. I thought he wasn't really being used to his full potential on his previous teams. I actually watch several of the knicks games because I like Randle and like listening to Walt Frazier call games. I don't mind how the knicks generally play.

Josh Hart’s arrival and Quickley’s assent has added some less predictable elements to the Knicks offense. They have become a much better watch. Earlier in the season even when winning and scoring well they were not a pretty to watch at all. They are still definitely a star system. It’s what Thibs believes in. Outside of the Knicks I love watching the Kings, Nuggets, Pacers, and Jazz. The Nuggets are a star system but that star really elevates everyone. The Kings play through Jokic lite. The big man DHO/ high post hub is the best trend in the NBA right now when it comes to fun imo


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[Big Moves03]

Josh Hart’s arrival and Quickley’s assent has added some less predictable elements to the Knicks offense. They have become a much better watch. Earlier in the season even when winning and scoring well they were not a pretty to watch at all. They are still definitely a star system. It’s what Thibs believes in. Outside of the Knicks I love watching the Kings, Nuggets, Pacers, and Jazz. The Nuggets are a star system but that star really elevates everyone. The Kings play through Jokic lite. The big man DHO/ high post hub is the best trend in the NBA right now when it comes to fun imo


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Yeah, the nuggets are great to watch and Jokic is pretty amazing at the moment with everything he can do. Probably the best playmaking big man ever (can't really think of anyone who would give him a run for his money) and it's awesome to see him pick defenses apart with his passing.

[ewing]

https://www.basketballnews.com/stori...-works-so-well

Came across this article on the Knicks “low pass offense”.

Offensive rebounding isn’t mentioned but the Knicks kill here as well. Their screeners almost never get the ball but they dive and hit the glass harder then anyone. Putbacks of course are also unassisted.


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[Chronz]

Inflated isn't the right word, uber talented might be better. It's the logical culmination of a confluence of events. Teams know what efficient basketball is and what kind of players to target. It's always been a copy cat league but technology made it easier to assess. All that said, we need to empower defenses more to offset this one sided dominance. The rules have been too easy for too long, let's mix it up like we did to begin this offensive rebirth