#StatsDontLie: The Evolution of NBA (with stat line graphs)
Any NBA fan can see that the game had evolved in recent years, to wit:
1. Teams adapted a faster tempo style rather than a physical game.
2. Remarkable 3-point shooting rather than rely on the inside-at-the-post game.
3. It resulted on high scoring of NBA teams.
And I had confirmed these by collecting data of every NBA seasons since year 2000. That is a total of 18 seasons to date.
And thankfully, stats don't lie:
source: https://www.basketball-reference.com
Phasing per game, or number of possessions per game.
More possessions means more "tempo" to the game.
This season have the highest number of possessions per game, which is 97.3.
Last year: 96.4. . . Last last year: 95.8
Remarkable 3-point shooting
Again, 3-points made and attempted have their peak this season: with an average of 10.5 three-pointers made (out of 29 attempts) per team in 82 games.
The second season with the highest 3-points made? Last year with 9.7 out of 27.0.
How about 3-point percentage shooting?
36.2% this season (2nd highest). 1st: 36.7% in 2008-2009, but with 11 less 3-pointers attempted compared to this year.
Points per game.
You guess it. This season, again, has the highest points per game. 30 teams each with 82 games: 106.3 PPG
Second to the highest: last year. 105.6 PPG
Wow!
Teams averaging a 100+ points per game.
Year 2000 to 2004, there are only 3 to 4 teams who could score a 100+ points per game. But now? Only 1 or 2 can't score.
That's what you called an evolution.
(Note: 2011-2012 is a lockout season, instead of having 82 games they only play 66 games.)
Please upvote!