The typical NBA score in today’s game is much higher than it was a decade ago. Teams and individual players have been scoring at a tremendous rate that has never been seen before. In January, 4 different players scored 60 or more points in a single game, a scoring stretch that has many arguing for better defense.
Joel Embiid of the 76ers and Luka Doncic of the Mavericks dropped 70 and 73 respectively, while Karl-Anthony Towns of the T-Wolves and Devin Booker of the Suns both dropped 62 points. In addition, the total team averages have been steadily climbing over the past decade, with teams regularly reaching 120 points. In 2024, the average point total for one team for a single game is 115 points, while in 2014, the average was 100 points.
More than ever, players are shooting 3-pointers, following the model set by Stephen Curry of the Warriors who single-handedly changed the way the game is played. Now, in order to stay in the league, a player must be counted on to shoot the ball well, as even centers have been stretching the floor of late. Defense, meanwhile, is becoming a forgotten art, with players not putting in the work or the rules favoring the offense.
Looking back to the 2000s or early 2010s, that style of basketball is no more. Defensive slugfests and hard-nosed basketball have been absent of late. 10 years ago, teams partnered with fast food chains to award discounts if their squad reached 100 points. However, that promo has been changed to 115 and a win because of the scoring booms seen around the league.
Can the Scoring Problem Be Fixed?
Overall, the problem is here to stay as players have become too good at shooting and spacing the floor. However, there is one way to limit the offensive surge and give the defense a bit of help. That solution would be to eliminate the 3-second rule in the paint. Many players have spoken about the relative ease in which they can drive through the lane uncontested and score. With the 3-second rule eliminated, the defense would have a better presence in the paint.
A second alteration that could potentially help this problem is incentivize the players by reducing the number of games, providing more stakes to each individual contest. In this case, the players would try harder on defense. However, this change is something Adam Silver and the NBA will never do because having more games means they get more money.
Realistically, the scoring boom will continue in the coming years. Most games will be a race to 130+ points and defense will only matter when a team needs that one last stop to end the game.
