June 30, 2016
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THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
Last week, I mentioned that I decided to research free throw attempts per game and three point attempts from the NBA Finals from 1980-2016. My thinking is that those games should provide a decent sample that my research department can handle. I chose free throw attempts and three point attempts to see how the game has changed. The results are pretty amazing. I chose 1980 because that was the first year the NBA adopted the three point shot.
From 1980-1986, on average (all of these stats will be an average of combined attempts from both teams in the series), there were less than 10 three pointers attempted per game! So to be clear, Magic Johnson, Michael Cooper, Larry Bird, Dennis Johnson, and the rest of the Lakers and Celtics did not attempt a total of 10 threes per game in the epic 1984 NBA Finals. Curry, Thompson, Kyrie, and those guys make more threes in most games than were attempted by a team in the early 80s. The players and coaches were clearly reluctant to accept the benefit of the shot, and develop that range.
That means it must have been extremely physical under the goal right? Maybe, but if it was, fouls were called. In 1984 and 1985, there were 72 and 60 combined free throw attempts per game respectively.
The first jump in three pointers attempted was the 1987 Celtics versus Lakers Finals. The teams combined to attempt 15 threes a game and there were 53 free throws attempted per game.
The Bad Boy era of the Finals is a clear outlier. The Pistons appeared in the Finals from 1988-1990, and there were 65, 67, and 65 free throws attempted per game. Clearly, the games were more physical, which is not a surprise. But, fouls were called. In addition, the game was still compact as teams had not embraced the three pointer.
The Bulls’ first three-peat was tame in regards to free throws and three pointers attempted. Though, there was an upward trend in three pointers attempted. Then the NBA moved the three point line closer. In 1994-96, there were 32, 51, and 40 attempts per game. Ewing, Shaq, Olajuwon, Robinson and others dominated the game offensive philosophy. The game became a matter of throwing the ball to the post and either waiting for the post to score or draw a double team which led to a three point attempt. In the same three seasons of the Finals, there were 44, 65, and 54 free throws attempted.
When Jordan came back and the three point line moved back, the three point attempts and free throws attempted decreased to the mid 20s and 40s respectively. Then Shaq and the Lakers ran off their own three-peat. The three pointers increased slightly, but the presence of the big man once again increased the free throws attempted to 60, 58, and 57 over those three Finals.
From 2006-2014 the three point attempts were consistently between 37 and 43 attempts. Free throws were consistently in the upper 40s and lower 50s except one year that involved Shaq and another series between LA and Boston.
Then in 2013, free throws attempted dropped significantly to 39 a game. That year there were 44 combined attempts per game in the Finals. In 2015, the three point attempts exploded to 59 and then 60 this year.
I know I have thrown out a bunch of data, so let me make some conclusions.
First, NBA coaches and players were very slow to buy in to the value of the three point shot. I would attribute the strong increase in attempts since the mid-1990s to the influence of the international game, and the improved ability of players to make the shot. Percentages have also increased with the number of attempts.
Second, there were more fouls and free throws back in the 80s and 90s. There were more big men and post play was the focus of the game. But the shooters have chased the big men out the game. We all can see that if a big man cannot guard the screen and roll then he is a liability to his team when there are shooters all over the floor. Another way to put it, Bill Laimbeer could not play and use his Bad Boy tactics in this era because today you have to be able to defend the entire width of the floor to beyond the arc.
For those that are bothered by the offensive emphasis on the three pointer in basketball, I have good news. There is always a point where if a team gets out of balance they become vulnerable and the Warriors were stung this year. The Cavs offense in the end was more efficient because they could hit the three and were able to score around the goal. Therefore, showing that you still have to be efficient as an offense.
In my opinion, the NBA is better than it has been in the past. Skill is rewarded more than size and force.
HEY REF
After searching for almost two weeks I finally found the column a close friend had questions about and wondered if I’d run it again as a “Best of Hey Ref”. As someone that wants to not only keep his readers educated but also entertained I feel obligated to keep those that read my words of wisdom happy. So it is with no further delay I offer once again for all my friends and readers one of those that they’ve selected as a “Best” to enjoy once again. And many “THANKS” to those asking for a repeat because it lets me know that there are some columns people have enjoyed and want to enjoy it once again and to share with those that missed it the first time, so enjoy… …
One great benefit of having your own sport’s column is the ability to pick out exactly what you feel is the top story of the week. But as I struggle to figure out which to write about I’ve got to admit sometimes it becomes very difficult in choosing just one because there are so many things going on each and every week. Many times I just have to pick “CO-STORIES”. Might sound as a copout and I have to agree; it is.
If you’ve been paying attention and you should’ve been, this writer attempts to challenge your brain and see just where all this fits in the greater scheme of our lives. And again this week two things have put a special feeling where the sun don’t shine! First off I’d like to revisit one such case from a few weeks back.
When I read the list of former NFL players getting into an ever expanding group suing the NFL over so called negligence for not informing players of the danger of concussions, etc. I about threw up. Why, you may ask. The answer is a simple one; these aren’t just of bunch of weak minded individuals, rather they all are college educated men. This group of educated individuals should’ve also been able to use a God given talent called “COMMON SENSE” and come to the conclusion that ramming your head into another person or the ground more than once would put you in a situation that this is not smart behavior.
Presently there are more than 1,000 former entertainers claiming the “League failed to protect NFL players from brain injuries linked to football-related concussions”. The suit continues; “the NFL didn’t do enough to inform players about the dangers of concussions in the past and not enough is being done now to take care of them”.
Would someone please sit me down and explain why this just doesn’t compute in the REAL WORLD? In today’s “we’ll sue, we’ll sue, we’ll sue… ” for just about anything I shouldn’t be surprised and I’m not. Really, I’m not surprised some greedy, money hungry sorry excuse for a human being is trying to cash in because they see an easy target that can afford to lose a few million.
But for the life of me why would a supposedly intelligent individual want to add their name onto this list? It brings back a few lines from the movie “The King’s Speech”. While the Duke of York was trying to tell his perspective new doctor what the Royal doctors said about cigarette smoking and how this new physician emphatically disagreed with their diagnosis he pointed out that these doctors have been knighted, the new doc replied that their ignorance was made “official”.
So, that’s how I felt when I read that my hero from many days gone by; Bob Lilly, signed on as a plaintiff. In my very short football career of Jr. High and some high school I figured out from the very beginning that ramming my head into either the ground or another player wasn’t good for my neck, spine and/or life. I do have a four year degree as a master electrician and attended LSU for four weeks but no real college education. And if I can figure out slamming my head repeatedly into ground as hard as concrete will cause brain damage then these highly educated individuals should also be able to come to the same conclusion.
But when I see this list and the names on it I wonder what these guys did for the three or four years they were attending classes. Just put this whole thing in a trash bag because that’s where this adventure belongs. As a nation and people our courts should be used to help those that have been wronged. If you were looking for an example of a frivolous lawsuit, this is your lucky day! I’ve wasted enough time, energy, ink and space so I’ll end this so you can contemplate why our legal system moves at a snail’s pace.
Congrats to former Tiger great; Charles Alexander. It was released today that he’ll be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In my opinion it’s come too many years late to be enshrined for such a great player and man. He played the game just before all the money tarnished the reputations of so many players, coaches and former volleyball players. Sorry HOGS, I do call ‘em as I see ‘em.
The way I want to end this week’s discussion is the way I’ll begin next week’s. Once again the Tiger baseball team is positioning itself for a run that I hope ends with an LSU victory in the last game in Omaha. Yes, it’s getting close to a title chase we’ve come to expect every year. And this could be a bad thing.
I hate over confidence. Never should a team go into any game without respecting its opposition. Also, baseball is a team sport like so many and each player must be able to do it all. I bring this up because I don’t condone the so-called “Ralph Rhymes Watch” boldly printed after each Tiger game.
His.476 average is absolutely unheard of in today’s game no matter the level. But the increased attention WILL NOT BODE WELL FOR THE TEAM! Put it off till the end of the season so that all of our attentions will be toward wining as a team and not like a traveling circus. OK, I’ll get all kinds of hate mail but I’m a big boy so bring it on. We win as a team but lose as 9 individuals on the diamond.
Till next week… …
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