| "What to do about scoring..." (April 9, 1998)
I was watching the Heat versus the Knicks tonight on TBS. It was a good game, the Knicks won by three by stopping the Heat from getting a shot off during their last possession. After the game, Kenny Smith, the TBS in studio analyst, mentioned that this year the average scoring per team will be the lowest since 1955, when the shot clock was instituted. I couldn't believe it. I knew the game was slowing down, defense was getting better and every shot was being contested, but this is ridiculous. I've seen footage of those games in the 50s and it's slow. I mean, it's really slow and not nearly as exciting as today's games can be.
I know the NBA isn't into the quick fix. They did change the three point line back to the original position with the hope of increasing movement inside the arc, but in fact, since teams have set their offense around the three in the two-man inside outside game, the fact that teams aren't able to hit it so readily, means scoring is down. The game in the same as last year, except you don't have as many three point shots.
After watching the two teams Pat Riley has created, the Knicks and Heat, it's obvious that we, as fans, must kill Pat Riley. Or at the very least, give him one Earvin Johnson. Let's face it people, if there was no Magic, you know you'd see A.C. Green giving shots to Karl Malone or thuggery from Byron Scott or even Kareem submarining Hakeem Olajuwon. Magic made is fun and besides, when he was in the open court, he almost guaranteed a score. That's why Riles let him go. Defensively, the old Lakers were tough, but I think Riles took the Bad Boys to the next level. The Knicks and Heat are what happens when you know you need defense to win and you don't have the offensive talent to do so. This is caused by expansion dilution or lack of a lot of quality talent from the college ranks. Either way, scoring is down and there is something wrong. Look at the numbers, Kenny Smith did.
So what should the NBA do? Hire Kenny Smith to be their numbers man. Second, shoot anyone who can't hit at least 65% of their free throws. Third, make the intentional foul rule more stringent. I think the idea of a hard foul is fine, but when the "hard foul" is common place when a player cuts down the lane, you've got to lay down some ground rules which will make a player think twice about hacking a player who is going to score and also makes it more important to have skilled players out there, not a warm body who will give up six fouls (like Joe Kleine). I know there is an answer out there, I just can't think of it right now.
All of you out there, I am asking you to write to me at Hoop-LA@stones.com. Tell me what you think should be done about the slowing down of a game based on speed and agility.
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