Why did teams in the past average such high ppg if defense was tougher

[livinglegend]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...NBA_stats.html

1985: 102.1 pace - 49.6 EFG%

2011: 92.1 pace - 49.8 EFG%

More possessions, same scoring efficiency.

thx

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Lebron averages 37-11-11 in the 80's.

this and in the 90s it would look only slighlty worse

[DonDadda59]

Bron wouldn't be able to handle the physicality though. John Stockton could, but 6'8 250 pound Lebron would get punk'd by monsters like John Starks and Isiah Thomas.

Knicks would've put Mason on him and the Pistons would've had Rodman on him. But I'm sure the guy who couldn't do a damn thing against the likes of Bruce Bowen, Shawn Marion, or Boris Diaw in an era where physicality is outlawed would be able to do big things against the Pippens and Rodmans of the world.

[DonDadda59]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...NBA_stats.html

1985: 102.1 pace - 49.6 EFG% - 107.9 ORTG

2011: 92.1 pace - 49.8 EFG% - 107.3 ORTG

More possessions, same scoring efficiency.

And back then teams relied on inside scoring more, with big men being the focus of offenses generally. This era is all about perimeter players and jumpers/3s... but the efficiency is more or less the same?

Pure Bunions.

[VIP2000]

Knicks would've put Mason on him and the Pistons would've had Rodman on him. But I'm sure the guy who couldn't do a damn thing against the likes of Bruce Bowen, Shawn Marion, or Boris Diaw in an era where physicality is outlawed would be able to do big things against the Pippens and Rodmans of the world.

So were guys like Johnny Newman and Sherman Douglas better than LeBron then? Those guys were able to average high teens/low 20's in the 90's. U don't think LeBron could adjust? Lol

[el gringos]

They passed the ball and they could shoot better. Now it's isolation because the players are too important to be coached.

[DonDadda59]

So were guys like Johnny Newman and Sherman Douglas better than LeBron then? Those guys were able to average high teens/low 20's in the 90's. U don't think LeBron could adjust? Lol

I think Lebron's relatively mediocre ball handling ability and his subpar off the ball play would make him less effective. He'd still be great no doubt, but he has never shown the ability to adjust to slightly above average physical play (see: Vs Bowen 2007, Pierce 2008). Or just look at this one play from the damn all star game when old man Kobe rendered him completely useless by simply handchecking him full court:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XxsN8jITds

Now imagine instead of a broken down Bean, prime Pippen or Rodman in a playoff/finals atmosphere.

[NumberSix]

In the 80s, it was impossible to dunk or layup. From what I hear, centers would "take your head off" anytime you went to the basket.

[NumberSix]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...NBA_stats.html

1985: 102.1 pace - 49.6 EFG% - 107.9 ORTG

2011: 92.1 pace - 49.8 EFG% - 107.3 ORTG

More possessions, same scoring efficiency.

You know why there was more possessions?

The offense took less time to get a good shot because nobody played defense

[Nikola_]

In the 80s, it was impossible to dunk or layup. From what I hear, centers would "take your head off" anytime you went to the basket.

In the 80s the head, in the 10s the headband.

weak era

[JT123]

I think Lebron's relatively mediocre ball handling ability and his subpar off the ball play would make him less effective. He'd still be great no doubt, but he has never shown the ability to adjust to slightly above average physical play (see: Vs Bowen 2007, Pierce 2008). Or just look at this one play from the damn all star game when old man Kobe rendered him completely useless by simply handchecking him full court:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XxsN8jITds

Now imagine instead of a broken down Bean, prime Pippen or Rodman in a playoff/finals atmosphere.

Pierce? Lebron averages about 30 ppg against Pierce for his career. Obviously Lebron struggled mightily early on in that 2008 series, but it sure wasn't because of Pierce's defense. I don't know if you realize this, but sometimes great players just have a bad stretch of games.

[moe94]

In the 80s, it was impossible to dunk or layup. From what I hear, centers would "take your head off" anytime you went to the basket.

How would you even get into the lane when everyone was a lockdown defender?

[JT123]

In the 80s, it was impossible to dunk or layup. From what I hear, centers would "take your head off" anytime you went to the basket.

This is true. Back in the 80's players were literally allowed to shoot you if you dared to go into the paint.

[atljonesbro]

This is true. Back in the 80's players were literally allowed to shoot you if you dared to go into the paint.

Lol so they didn't even play defense they just physically attacked you Lol at "elite" defensive era

[SHAQisGOAT]

This:

Higher pace/more possessions.

The offensive efficiency in 1985 and 2011 is the exact same, the game was just faster back then. Simple.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...NBA_stats.html

1985: 102.1 pace - 49.6 EFG% - 107.9 ORTG

2011: 92.1 pace - 49.8 EFG% - 107.3 ORTG

More possessions, same scoring efficiency.

And to that, I add this:

They passed the ball and they could shoot better. Now it's isolation because the players are too important to be coached.

Well said, more sharing of the ball to get the best available shots as soon as they were there - not milking out the clock - plus better mid-range game. I would add that they played closer to the hoop too, higher % shots, and also better bigs and overall post-game around the league.