Joe Dumars, the NBA's executive vice president and head of basketball operations, recently attended a thrilling game that showcased the enduring power of defense in the league. The game in question pitted the Denver Nuggets against the Boston Celtics and concluded with a nail-biting final score of 102-100 in favor of Denver. Dumars considered it one of the best games of the season thus far, proving that defensive prowess is still highly valued in the NBA.
In the past couple of weeks, there has been an abundance of impressive individual performances that have captured the attention of basketball fans worldwide. Luka Doncic's staggering 73-point game, Joel Embiid's extraordinary 70-point game, and the exceptional displays from Devin Booker and Karl-Anthony Towns, who each scored 62 points, have been the talk of the basketball world. However, Dumars assured fans that the league's officials are not alarmed by these numbers as the overall scoring average has only experienced a slight increase compared to the previous season.
Dumars attributed the offensive outbursts to the exciting pace of the game and the prevalent trend of players taking more three-point shots. He acknowledged that such offensive eruptions are expected in today's NBA. It is important to recognize that since April 1978, there had not been a single day where two players scored at least 60 points. However, this rare event occurred twice in the span of just a few days, with Embiid and Towns accomplishing the feat on January 22, followed by Doncic and Booker on January 26. While undoubtedly a statistical oddity, the numbers indicate that this occurrence is not significantly unusual in the grand scheme of things.
Delving into the statistics, it becomes evident that scoring across the league has only increased by a modest 0.78% this season when compared to the previous one. Teams have tallied an average of 115.6 points per game as opposed to last season's 114.7 points per game. By contrast, the previous season witnessed a much more dramatic increase of 3.7% in scoring compared to the 2021-22 rate of 110.6 points per game.
Interestingly, there has been an uptick in high-scoring games this season, with teams notching at least 135 points in a game on 78 occasions. This figure already ranks as the second-highest for a full season in NBA history, and if the trend continues, it is on pace to surpass the previous record of 112 instances set last season. The previous mark of 74 games with 135 points or more was achieved during the 2019-20 season. These numbers suggest that while offensive explosions do occur frequently, the overall averages tend to balance out over time.
Dumars emphasized that there is no pressure from the league office to achieve a particular score. Instead, the primary goal is to provide fans with captivating and unforgettable games. The executive vice president expressed his satisfaction with the Denver-Boston game, where defense carried significant weight. According to Dumars, fans crave great games that leave a lasting impression, with the final score serving as a secondary consideration.
While offensive showcases have become more common in the NBA, the league's officials and Dumars himself understand the importance of a well-rounded and exciting contest. The combination of fast-paced play and an increased number of three-point attempts inevitably leads to higher scores. Nonetheless, the NBA remains committed to ensuring that fans witness competitive matchups that leave them in awe, regardless of the final tally.
In the ever-evolving landscape of professional basketball, the focus on offensive performance will continue to garner attention. However, as evidenced by the importance Joe Dumars places on defense and his desire to provide fans with incredible games, the NBA understands that a balanced and exciting product is key to satisfying its loyal fan base.
