Image Source: Fox News
[Saba Sports News] NBA scoring has surged remarkably in recent years, leading the league into a new era that hasn’t been overlooked. The NBA’s competition committee has started to evaluate if the current game overly favors offense. They are considering adjustments to the rules to ensure a more balanced competition.
NBA Executive Vice President Joe Dumars discussed the potential changes with ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Kevin Pelton, emphasizing the league’s commitment to assessing the situation thoroughly.
The league’s move to eliminate hand-checking in 2004 aimed to counteract low scoring rates, a decision that significantly increased scoring averages. For instance, during the 2003-2004 season, only the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings scored 99 points per game on average. This figure dramatically rose in the subsequent seasons. The Phoenix Suns of the 2005-2006 season, known for their quick-scoring strategy, led this shift, averaging 110.4 points per game—a score that would rank low in today’s high-scoring NBA environment.
Dumars clarified that the potential rule changes are not intended merely to reduce scoring, but to foster “incredible competition.” However, comments from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver regarding the 2024 NBA All-Star Game’s defensive performance hint that the league might be seeking a balance, possibly indicating a saturation point with the current high-scoring trend.