The Evolution Of The NBA

If you haven't noticed, the NBA is evolving into a more offensive league. No, it's not more vulgar. However, it's a league that is evolving with more scoring finesse than ever before.

Consider this. Fifteen years ago, only four NBA teams averaged more than 100 points a game in the regular season (Golden State was one of those teams, bizarrely enough, while none of the Eastern Conference teams averaged 100 points a game). As of this season, only two aren't averaging more than 100 points a game (All Eastern Conference teams are averaging over 100 points a game).

The obvious part for why the NBA is becoming a more offensive league is because more three-pointers are made. 18 teams are averaging more than ten three-pointers a game (Houston leads the league at 15.8), whereas in 1999-2000, no one was even over eight three-pointers a game. Teams like Golden State and Houston are taking more opportunities from beyond the arc, averaging as much as 30 three-point shots a game.

Players are also becoming faster, stronger, and longer. Teams like Philadelphia and Milwaukee are starting bigger players, hoping that their length and size will beat opposing teams into submission. A few years back, the Lakers tried pairing up Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard together to start alongside Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant. It turned out to be a dud. The Pelicans are trying the same thing, only with more athletic players. They're in the final playoff spot because of Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins, the two big players. The Pelicans would be better off if they had more of a team around them, mainly another superstar to help Cousins and Davis.

Will we see the days of players like Gary Payton, Kevin Garnett, and Ron Artest return? Who knows? As of now, today's an exciting period for offense and pizzazz.