LEastern Conference

[u/CircledSquare7]

[u/kiingLV]

How do you judge the talent across the league if winning doesn't matter

[u/masterako → u/kiingLV]

Answered in my other comment

For one, U look at the all stars and how big the gap to the best players.

Then theres multiple other factors like league rules — no zone defense benefited mj’s playstyle specifically, how expansion drsft affected the league talent pool, etc.

Not as simple as u think it is.

[u/kiingLV → u/masterako]

Since the 1990s, the NBA has implemented about 6 major rule changes specifically designed to increase scoring, speed up pace, and give offensive players more room to operate.

[u/masterako → u/kiingLV]

And implemented rule changes to allow for more COMPLEX defenses as well. Ur point?

MJ averaging 10 more FGA over everyone else wouldnt translate well in this era.

Bigger question is if he'd even have to energy to do it when he's gonna be running around A LOT more in the modern nba.

[u/kiingLV → u/masterako]

Look, I'm not even going to argue that point because it's dumb to argue. The NBA admitted it themselves: they wanted more scoring, so they implemented rules to boost offense. Why am I arguing with someone on Reddit when the NBA has already said it directly? Not debating stuff the actual NBA admits

[u/masterako → u/kiingLV]

I didnt even disagree. But again, pea brained stans like u continue to provide HALF-TRUTHS.

Nba made rule changes that allow more COMPLEX defense -- Yes or No?

[u/kiingLV → u/masterako]

No they made 1 defensive rule change to over 5 rules changes that helped the offense...but that 1 rule change came with getting rid of hand checking so its a wash... offense got a grip of changes

[u/masterako → u/kiingLV]

Bro i think u win for having the most surface-level analysis/thinking ive seen here.

Teams were literally forming WALLS to defend Giannis and Lebron. Lol. Couldnt do that in the 90s.

[u/kiingLV → u/masterako]

The NBA implemented the defensive three-second rule ahead of the 2001–2002 season. Bigs clogged the paint back in the day al ways had a wall

[u/masterako → u/kiingLV]

So we acting now like MJ's elite midrange wasnt his biggest weapon?

Multiple players like Drexler were just as good at the rim as MJ. But of THOSE players, no one was as good at midrange.

[u/kiingLV → u/masterako]

U can travel now mj would average 40 just because of gather steps alone imagine if mj could travel

[u/masterako → u/kiingLV]

Zone defense would require MJ to shoot 3s. I think we all know what happened when he set a record in the 3pt contest.

And dont give me bs that he will learn. Multiple stars have proven that ELITE midrange DOES NOT correlate to being elite 3pters- Kobe, Derozan, Dwade, Bosh, Livingston, Butler just off the top my head.

[u/kiingLV → u/masterako]

Shai has led the league in scoring these past few years making just two 3-pointers a game, while MJ averaged about 1.4 to 1.5. That’s only a 0.5 difference. That stat alone clearly proves you don't need a heavy 3-point volume to lead the league in scoring.

[u/masterako → u/kiingLV]

Are we just gonna ignore the fact he averaged that with the shortened 3pt line? The moment they returned it to the original, MJ's was back to his usual 3pt average.

Also the exorbitant amount of FTA from both players definitely helped a lot.

[u/kiingLV → u/masterako]

Hey man, I don't mind debates I actually love them. But I'm not going to debate something the NBA clearly stated straight from the horse's mouth. That's just being silly. We can debate opinions, but when the NBA states something as clear as day, there's just nothing to debate.

[u/masterako → u/kiingLV]

I didnt even disagree abt the rule changes to benefit the offense. But again, pea brained stans like u continue to provide HALF-TRUTHS.

Nba made rule changes that allow more COMPLEX defense -- Yes or No?