What is behind the NBA’s scoring explosion and other opening week questions
By Keith Parish
The NBA season has opened with a deluge of scoring that in many ways is unprecedented in league history. Scoring and pace is as high as it has been since the mid-1980s. Teams are average 101.8 possession per game, a massive jump from the 97.3 they averaged last season. Offensive rating league-wide is the highest it has ever been. It took six days into the season to have the first game where neither team scored 100 points.
Higher foul calls, teams embracing more 3-point attempts than ever, the new shot-clock reset rule are all contributors, but what is the main reason for the increased numbers? And is this a temporary statistical blip that will level off or is this just the way things are now?
Early season NBA overreactions. dark. Next
To answer that question and more, Sam Vecenie (@sam_vecenie) joins the latest episode of Fastbreak Breakfast. Sam covers the NBA and college basketball for The Athletic and hosts the Game Theory podcast. In addition to examining the reasons behind the increasing scoring, we cover the following topics:
- What was the NBA thinking with the #Spitgate suspensions? Is there any way to justify the punishments meted out?
- How will the Grizzlies and Nuggets adjust to losing starters to injury? Could both teams actually benefit in the longterm?
- What affect will the G-League offering select high school prospects $125k contracts have on the NCAA?
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Music provided courtesy of New Man and Codaphonic.
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