does anyone play defense anymore in the NBA?

[HtotheOV]

2021 top opponents PPG: 103

just 5 years ago

2016 top opponents PPG: 93

2011 top opponents PPG: 88

[Droopdx]

I can confirm that my blazers do not play defense and haven’t in years

[JUGGERNAUT1333]

hard to play defense when you get called for a foul if you sneeze in the ball handlers direction.

[TBO1313]

hard to play defense when you get called for a foul if you sneeze in the ball handlers direction.

This. It's impossible to play any type of d with the calls refs are giving. You can't even be behind Trae Young or he'll literally jump backwards into you to get a foul call and the refs give this clown 15 FTs a game. The dude makes James Harden's tactics look tame

[sooby]

yes and no

pace has increased = more possessions = more points scored, three point frequency has also increased

The late 90s and early 00s offenses were slow as chit due to certain rules in place. NBA after Jordan wasn't looking very good, offenses grinded to a halt so Stern needed to implement rules to make the more exciting and open up offenses again.

they were loosened up right around the 7 seconds or less, run and gun offense that the Suns employed.

PPG in this era is actually right where it was during the Lakers showtime era in the 80s.



1985 for example, the top opponent PPG is 104, more than what is stated in the OP, and people romanticize the 80s as a very tough era where players played defense. They actually called less fouls now than in the 80s (20 vs 25) but I think the reason for that is there is a lot less post-up/paint play and more threes being shot rather than fouls just simply being called less. Players may be less willing to get physical in fear of being called for a foul so there may be that as well.

[Jaydawg08]

I knew this was was gonna be posted eventually. If no one played defense Houston would have won a title, the Blazers would be arguable the best team in the league, and the Lakers wouldn't have won a championship as easily as they did.

The Nets are struggling behind 3 supernova offensive players SPECIFICALLY because they play no defense.

The issue is that players are much more skilled in today's league and offensive production is easier because the average NBA player is a walking bucket compared to 15-25 years ago

[Jaydawg08]

This. It's impossible to play any type of d with the calls refs are giving. You can't even be behind Trae Young or he'll literally jump backwards into you to get a foul call and the refs give this clown 15 FTs a game. The dude makes James Harden's tactics look tame

I respect some of your bball talk but you continually talk about Trae and Harden and only using them as examples for your argument when they are OUTLIERS.

[InsanePain11]

NBA is so weak these days imo. Unwatchable. No defense, constant whining to the refs, weak fouls being called etc etc...

Used to love the NBA.

[HayZues Christi]

Its pace of play. Not lack of D.