Is it time to bring back defense?

[warriorfan]

The NBA got more and more grimy and defensive minded in the early 2000’s leading up to the 2004 Pistons team where the league finally stepped in to try to open up the game more offensively. Looking back it was probably a good thing as double digit grind fests can be great games but it simply isn’t as attractive to most fans.

Rules and play styles have kept advancing towards giving the offense larger and larger advantages. At this point there are lots of scenarios where the defender is completely helpless. As many have noticed it’s been delivering a somewhat watered down product in a lot of instances.

I haven’t given it the thought on what to change. But the league would be better if you gave defenders more of a chance.

[Axe]

Yep, they better stop cracking the defense too much.

[Wally450]

Adam Silver would never let the game slow down to the pace of the early 2000s.

I agree with you in wanting more defense. Less 3s and more interior game would make it more interesting, but how to do that.

[Kblaze8855]

The league is trying to expand and get a $4 billion expansion fee for every team and divide it up amongst the existing owners in straight cash. They need the Whole Enterprise to get bigger and bigger. They arent going to do anything to give fans of the league they plan to water down further the impression the local team doesn’t have anybody worth watching.

You keep scores in the 130s somebody is going to score 20 to 25 a game, and it’s much easier to sell that you have a young star who gives you hope when he’s doing 23 a game than when he’s putting up 17 a game on 39% shooting. Raise team ppg from a team from 96 to 115 and a Ben Gordon who would give you 19 now gives you 24 and goes on your season ticket promotional email when it’s time to re-up.

The good players become stars, stars become superstars, superstars become era defining generational icons and nobody is hopeless. You just need to stick by the team for another year or two because such and such is clearly about to turn into a superstar and run the league.

What does the league gain by limiting the production and highlights of its talented young players in a world where revenue is driven in part by internet impressions?

Nobody wants to see the clip of a rotation that shut down a drive enough to let the ad finish playing first. A clip called ”Dunk of the year!”? Or ”Ankles! Ankles! Oooooooo weeeee!”?

That ad gets watched. Everybody eats. The league knows what it’s doing.

[highwhey]

Yep, they better stop cracking the defense too much.

:roll:

[Full Court]

If they enforced carry rules, that would be a good start. The other thing they need to do is stop calling fouls when the player with the ball intentionally initiates contact - such as the rip through. Just let defenders be a little aggressive.

[warriorfan]

The league is trying to expand and get a $4 billion expansion fee for every team and divide it up amongst the existing owners in straight cash. They need the Whole Enterprise to get bigger and bigger. They arent going to do anything to give fans of the league they plan to water down further the impression the local team doesn’t have anybody worth watching.

You keep scores in the 130s somebody is going to score 20 to 25 a game, and it’s much easier to sell that you have a young star who gives you hope when he’s doing 23 a game than when he’s putting up 17 a game on 39% shooting. Raise team ppg from a team from 96 to 115 and a Ben Gordon who would give you 19 now gives you 24 and goes on your season ticket promotional email when it’s time to re-up.

The good players become stars, stars become superstars, superstars become era defining generational icons and nobody is hopeless. You just need to stick by the team for another year or two because such and such is clearly about to turn into a superstar and run the league.

What does the league gain by limiting the production and highlights of its talented young players in a world where revenue is driven in part by internet impressions?

Nobody wants to see the clip of a rotation that shut down a drive enough to let the ad finish playing first. A clip called ”Dunk of the year!”? Or ”Ankles! Ankles! Oooooooo weeeee!”?

That ad gets watched. Everybody eats. The league knows what it’s doing.

We know their method behind the madness. I’m just saying it’s somewhat short sighted and leads to a lower quality product. It would be nice if they made a few minor adjustments to set the balance a bit more the other way.

[Kblaze8855]

The fans old enough to remember defense will die off before long which probably makes it a good long term plan. Nobody old enough to have been grown even in 2002 is in the target audience going forward.

[eliteballer]

The fans old enough to remember defense will die off before long which probably makes it a good long term plan. Nobody old enough to have been grown even in 2002 is in the target audience going forward.

Not sure what you're talking about here. NBA defense and physicality was it's peak from 95-2005. Plenty remember and will remember for decades to come.

[Kblaze8855]

If you think the long term plans of any league are centered on people born in 1985 prepare to be letdown.

A 27-28 year old was in high school when Kobe fell off and was never good again. And you’re talking about 10 years before that.

If you’re pining for 2003 you’re at least approaching 40. You’re the last marketing plan not the next one.

[tpols]

The NBA got more and more grimy and defensive minded in the early 2000’s leading up to the 2004 Pistons team where the league finally stepped in to try to open up the game more offensively. Looking back it was probably a good thing as double digit grind fests can be great games but it simply isn’t as attractive to most fans.

Rules and play styles have kept advancing towards giving the offense larger and larger advantages. At this point there are lots of scenarios where the defender is completely helpless. As many have noticed it’s been delivering a somewhat watered down product in a lot of instances.

I haven’t given it the thought on what to change. But the league would be better if you gave defenders more of a chance.

The game was much more exciting back when a fight could break out. The problem is they paired basketball with other sitcom and Netflix type deals where it's no longer about basketball.

Basketball by itself in today's format would be extinct. The way execs or owners or whatever paired it with the other stuff allowed it to survive. There's no way it's a better basketball product nowadays than it was back in the day.

[ShawkFactory]

The fans old enough to remember defense will die off before long which probably makes it a good long term plan. Nobody old enough to have been grown even in 2002 is in the target audience going forward.

I think even people who weren’t cognizant then understand.

[FilmyCogTurner]

I somewhat agree kblaze.. the NBA definitely wants to generate as many highlights as possible but I'm not entirely sure about the boosting of points per game to showcase/fabricate young stars.

Thinking as I type I'm probably in denial though and still wish the NBA would bring back SOME defense. It's such a better product when teams get physical with each other and no matter what the highlights will always be there even if they were to find some middle ground between the 90's and now.

Still love the NBA basketball but the game is on its way to unwatchable.

[Kblaze8855]

I don’t think there was any diabolical plot specifically to manufacture new stars. I think if anybody said anything in the meeting, it will be along the lines of “Today’s players are more talented than ever and I think we need to make sure we are showcasing that.”. The stated purpose of some of the changes was to “open up” the game so I don’t think they’d run from it if you worded it like that. End result is the same though.

[Xiao Yao You]

need to give the D a chance at least. The offensive player throwing themselves into the defender and the defender being at fault is a joke

[highwhey]

need to give the D a chance at least.

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/pause-take-break-rest-recess-round-button-d-illustration-79893945.jpg

[ILLsmak]

We know their method behind the madness. I’m just saying it’s somewhat short sighted and leads to a lower quality product. It would be nice if they made a few minor adjustments to set the balance a bit more the other way.

It really is ass. It’s a kids game now. I can’t imagine grown men watching that stuff srs.

-Smak

[ILLsmak]

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/pause-take-break-rest-recess-round-button-d-illustration-79893945.jpg

O u lol

-Smak