| "The Loss of the Medium Range Jumper..." (June 19, 1998)
This article is from the vaults. It was written last year around this time and I thought it was applicable to the problems that still remain in the NBA. Enjoy.
I want to talk about the proposed rule changes and most important the lost art of the mid-range jump shots. I agree that the NBA has become to predictable in its offensive set. It seems to me that most teams try to dump it down low, wait for the double team and kick it out for the long range jumper (most likely a three point shot). If the double team does not come, the post man will try to take his man one-on-one. This is not to say all teams do that. Utah and Chicago are proof that there are some offensive schemes are not so predictable. But teams like Miami and New York are killing the offensive flow the game (ironically, it was Riley's Lakers who were considered offensive innovators with "Showtime" basketball in the 1980's). If the three point shot was moved out, back to its original position, it should increase offensive movement.
What I have noticed is that athletic 2's and 3's, who are the main double teamers, can move so quickly now, that they can run from the double teamed post man to the outside shooter. It's just the progression of the game. But the increased room, another foot and change, will not really do much. Most real shooters (Dennis Scott, Dale Ellis, Reggie Miller, etc). will move behind the arc, but those who don't really have that kind of range (Grant Hill, Larry Johnson, Robert Horry, etc.), will have to move in, basically to the position that they are now, so I don't think you'll see much of a change. Players are faster and stronger than ever before. Coaches preach defense more than ever. I think that is one reason why scores are down from years before. I think players are challenging more shots and defensive schemes are more complex. Not to mention the matriculation of slow- ball control offense. Teams are not running as much, like the Lakers of the 1980's. It's almost like football, where time of possession is a key statistic. True, shooting percentage is down, but I'd like to think it is because of defense rather than pathetic shooting. In the half court game, teams could do more than isolations, one-on-ones and post ups. I remember a few years ago, teams used to set 3 or 4 picks a possession, to get one open shot. There was much more movement, cutters to the basket, crisp passing and selfless players. There seems more dedication to the self, rather than the team, the spectacular attempted dunk rather than a pass to the open man for an easy layup.
Moving the three pointer back will reduce the amount of three point shots, but the offense than is prevalent in the NBA today will still call for many long distance shots. What I think will happen, is that the long distance shot will become relatively less uncontested if teams continually double team. If the shooters move back two feet (and can make it) then it will give players more room down low to maneuver. Hopefully this will be a good idea.
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