more proof how RIDICULOUS and unwatchable the NBA has become

[Foghorn Leghorn 0]

I think it has to do with the talent level. Having a three point line at the top of the key in the NBA would be a joke. Shaq is probably the only guy who wouldn't make that shot consistently. I believe the Zone D wasn't allowed in the NBA for a long time because they thought it would slow the game down. Ironically, they started allowing it to improve scoring if memory serves correctly. I suspect most rule differences have to do with the different level of competition and style of game that constitutes the NBA versus college.

 

I see what you're saying, Strike. I guess my next question is: given that many college players declare early (some only stay one year, if I'm correct), then I'm inferring that they can already deal with the NBA rules (6 fouls, longer three-point distance, etc.), so why not have the same rulebook in college? I totally agree that the college three-point line would be a joke in the NBA, but maybe change the NCAA rules to adopt the longer three-point line? I dunno - maybe I'm wasting my time wondering about something unimportant.

[Strike 5,781]

I see what you're saying, Strike. I guess my next question is: given that many college players declare early (some only stay one year, if I'm correct), then I'm inferring that they can already deal with the NBA rules (6 fouls, longer three-point distance, etc.), so why not have the same rulebook in college? I totally agree that the college three-point line would be a joke in the NBA, but maybe change the NCAA rules to adopt the longer three-point line? I dunno - maybe I'm wasting my time wondering about something unimportant.

 

You'll have to define "many college players". There are only 60 draft positions in the NBA draft. There are 336 NCAA Division 1 college basketball teams. If my calculations are correct, assuming 12 players per college team, you're talking about 1.5% of division 1 players. And that doesn't include players like Scottie Pippen, who played for an NAIA school.

 

The talent level is just very much lower in college than in the pros. Any pro team would school any college team. The rules reflect this significant talent differential.

[Riddlen 1]

I see what you're saying, Strike. I guess my next question is: given that many college players declare early (some only stay one year, if I'm correct), then I'm inferring that they can already deal with the NBA rules (6 fouls, longer three-point distance, etc.), so why not have the same rulebook in college? I totally agree that the college three-point line would be a joke in the NBA, but maybe change the NCAA rules to adopt the longer three-point line? I dunno - maybe I'm wasting my time wondering about something unimportant.

college is full of zone busting 5'11 guys that bomb, i dont think the linger three would bother them. none of them get to the nba though

[Foghorn Leghorn 0]

You'll have to define "many college players". There are only 60 draft positions in the NBA draft. There are 336 NCAA Division 1 college basketball teams. If my calculations are correct, assuming 12 players per college team, you're talking about 1.5% of division 1 players. And that doesn't include players like Scottie Pippen, who played for an NAIA school.

 

The talent level is just very much lower in college than in the pros. Any pro team would school any college team. The rules reflect this significant talent differential.

 

Yeah, I suppose you're right. Thanks for answering my questions.

[Team Revell 1]

The irony is that the biggest 3 point chuck in history was also a Celtic.

 

No one- and I mean no one- has taken more stupid three pointers than Antoine Walker.

 

Cybertoine is garbage.

[KSB2424 3,148]

They should have a 4 point shot. Like a 29 footer. Would make the end of some games really interesting.

[t.j 35]

It would be so comical if they had more lines for this. A 5-point shot at half-court. 6 points if you shoot from inside the 4-point line on the other side of the court, etc. The mentally-weak players wouldn't know how to adjust strategically, and the true genius coaches and players would dominate!

[CantTouchThis 23]

 

What's the best team since Jordan? The Pistons maybe? show me how many 3's billups took.

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/stats?statsId=3174

 

Billups took usually around 350 a year since he came to Detroit, but, shot over 39% every year, including 43% in 04-05 and 05-06 He is a bit down this year, but, has been hitting some huge 3s down the stretch.

 

Honestly, the NFL and the NBA are the only 2 sports i can watch teams other than the Pistons or a bigtime fanstasy player on my team(since the Lions are basically unwatchable) playing. The NBA has a ton of great players and some awesome teams that play as a team( See Detroit, San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas, among others). Really, i don't get how you can like say college hoops and not like the NBA. I do agree though, the playoffs are wayyy too long, espessially the first round. They should go down to 6 seeds instead of 8, or something. EVERY sport has their thugs and criminals, every sport. The classy players in the NBA FAR outweigh the "thugs", if you think otherwise, you're just ignorant.

 

Really, you haters of the NBA need to just watch without biased. Watch teams like Dallas and Phoenix, exiting, great team play, superstars, what else could you want??? Plus, Dirk and Nash are WHITE for you KKK member out there, and they are #1 and 2 in the MVP race, this is a great year for the white supremisists.

[Vince44 205]

The zone defense was the worst rule change ever as it covers up for teams who can't play man to man defense. This league was already full of guys who couldn't shoot...so they allow teams to drop 5 guys in the paint to take away the post entry and basically dare them to shoot a 3. The lanes are clogged up and it's a lazy ass way to defend. I hate the front and back rule that you can get away with now because of this rule. Half court basketball is unwatchable these days.

[JT 137]

Staggering lack of factual information in this thread, typical of many NBA threads on this site. We have posts claiming the NBA is nothing but guys slashing to the basket and dunking, along with those decrying that all they do is shoot 3 pointers. And, of course, nobody plays defense; you heard that on tv or radio 7 years ago, the last time you really watched the game.

 

Few teams play zone for more than about 25% of possessions. The defensive three second rule prohibits exactly what you say occurs. Five guys in the paint? Yeah, watch a game and tell me how often that occurs. And why would that encourage 23 ft shots?

 

The zone rule was put into effect largely to eliminate the unwatchable half court basketball of the late 80's and 90's. Obviously, you don't remember Barkley/Malone/Shaq/fill-in-the-blank set up on the low block, pounding the ball into the court with his back to the hoop for :20, while everyone else spotted up 20ft from the basket, most on the other side of the floor. Their defender couldn't stray more than 6 ft away without being called for illegal defense, leading to that most exciting of offensive plays, the free throw. Ah, the graceful fluidity with which Mendy Rudolph handed the ball to the Mailman at the line. I still get chills. The new defensive rules allowed a player to help on defense, forcing the ball out of one guy's hands and actually making players and ball move on offense.

 

The popularity of the 3 has increased for a number of reasons. High school and college teams aren't stocked with great talent, and the 3 has allowed David to stay competitive with Goliath. Those that laud the college game over the NBA should consider what would happen if 5'11" guards no longer had a role. You could reduce the tournament to about 8 teams, because those are the only ones that would have any shot to win. Wouldn't that be fun? Also, as others have pointed out, the math is simple. When there are virtually no players other than centers shooting 50% from the floor, why not shoot 35% from 3 and get more points per possession? Add in that the speed and quickness of players on defense has improved such that it's nearly impossible to fast break regularly, making the secondary break (and the open 3) a great option.

 

I've watched the NBA closely for 40 years. I laugh at those who cry about the lack of defense, remembering the good ol' days of the late 70's with teams scoring 125 pts per game. Go to the gym and watch layup drills only for a few nights. It's really enjoyable. Or those who long for the flowing offense of the above described isolation days. Nothing beats a night of FT and one-on-one low post moves.

 

The game has changed, just as situational players have changed baseball and football. If you enjoy the emotion and excitement of college hoops (as I do), great. But the quality of play in the NCAA is a joke compared to that of the pros. Each year during football season, some fool opines that the best college football team could compete with the NFL's worst. The gap is even bigger in basketball. And the good old days? The best, cream of the crop players from NBA days gone by would be stars today, just as they were then. The average, run of the mill guy who occupied 3-5 of the rotation spots? Would have lots of trouble competing in today's NBA.

[edjr 6,711]

On 2/23/2007 at 9:05 AM, edjr said:

Dennis Johnson in his ENTIRE career sank 80, 3 point shots out of 464 attempts.

 

Last year, 13 players in the NBA attempted 400 or more 3 pointers.

 

Last year, 70 players hit 80 or more 3 pointers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

R.I.P. D.J.

This was in 2007