Stu Jackson says Defensive 3 Seconds was meant to prevent Paint-Camping

[OldSchoolBBall]

Yes. You had to stay within a couple of feet of your man. Or else you'd be called for illegal defense.

Which is why the ISO-MJ special existed. Two of his teammates would go to one sideline corner, two on the other sideline corner, dragging out the defenders with them. This left MJ on the top of the three point line alone, 1 on 1, with his guy and no help.

Yeah, ISO play, which is why why MJ constantly had to navigate around multiple defenders, like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVUXJ8Q7ehY#t=1m26s.

You'll never see a play like this today, because the spacing is so much better and the paint is WIDE open comparatively. Not to mention that no star player today can even dream of making a play like that, with that type of lightning decision making. MJ makes like 5 adjustments instantly on that play.

[Chadwin]

How often was illegal defense called in that era compared to defensive three seconds now?

[3ball]

How often was illegal defense called in that era compared to defensive three seconds now?

less than once per game, just like defensive 3 seconds now

however, it's much easier to abide by AND CALL defensive 3 seconds because it's so clearly defined

[3ball]

Yeah, ISO play, which is why why MJ constantly had to navigate around multiple defenders, like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVUXJ8Q7ehY#t=1m26s.

You'll never see a play like this today, because the spacing is so much better and the paint is WIDE open comparatively. Not to mention that no star player today can even dream of making a play like that, with that type of lightning decision making. MJ makes like 5 adjustments instantly on that play.

Great video OldSchool - Just your 5 minute video alone shows how standard paint-camping was in previous eras (where defenders are way out of armslength reach) - here's 3 instances from your vid:











the play looks night-and-day different from today's game - more hectic, frantic, random, and obviously, more physical, congested paints, camping, and no spacing - all requiring a higher skill level and better brand of hoops.