The average points put up in NBA games have seen a massive jump over the last two decades. While more points generally equates to more excitement and entertainment for viewers, there is no doubt that something has been taken away from the strategic side of the game.
During the 2003-2004 season, NBA teams averaged just 93.4 points per game. The next season that figure jumped up to 97.2 points per game. Last season, the average points recorded per game was 114.7. This year, NBA teams have reached a new record with an incredible 114.9 points per game over 974 total games played. That is the most points in league history since the 1960’s. In short, the art of strong, resilient and aggressive defense is dying.
Fortunately for fans of the defensive side of the game, the league is finally addressing the subject. During a recent episode of the Run It Back Show, Shams Charania confirmed that the NBA Competition Committee met on Tuesday to discuss rules that could be implemented for a more balanced game.
“They all met on Tuesday and they discussed way to incorporate more defensive freedom, evaluating how to allow more physicality,” said Charania.
“I’m told the NBA’s Competition Committee met on Tuesday and discussed ways to incorporate more defensive freedom, evaluating how to potentially allow more physicality…Using the next few months to strategize.”👀
(Via @RunItBackFDTV ) pic.twitter.com/uxu3N1HX9E
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 13, 2024
Charania confirmed that the league will be working over the coming months to find a solution. The goal is to provide more freedom to defenders, instead of limiting their impact on the game.
Since the 1990’s, several rule changes have been put in place to protect scorers. Some of those include limiting hand checking and permitting offensive players to initiate contact. That in turn has led to a format that rewards offensive players and penalizes defensive minded players.
