Why NBA Offenses Are More Unstoppable Than Ever

[@rajkonedic7841]

way to go, detailed breakdown, not focusing on stats but on the game itself, and great conclusion at the end. you're a true advocate of today's game and it's complexity

[@jmgonzales7701]

its alot better than before game, and lebron goat

[@nathanjames4921]

I love how this video takes a detailed approach on the offensive explosion in the league, not just another video whining about the refs and foul-baiting. Yes, those are part of it, but at the same time offenses have gotten smarter and more tactical than ever. Great video.

[@speedwagon6-e1b]

Here before the non game watchers attribute this entirely to ‘no defense’ and ‘no handchecking’

[@beckembrown7002]

Literally watch the 80s/90s, defense was so trash back then 😂

[@davidmartinez52420]

And before the smooth brains say it's only player evolution and nothing else, as if 1000 years of human evolution elapsed in 30 years an only for pro athletes

[@leonhardable]

honestly i've only ever seen that stance from people whose last full game watched where the LeBron 2016 finals, or JJ reddick. I'm only 30 seconds into the video and am looking forward, but so far: 3 second rule favors offense, handchecking favors offense, the new gather step favors offense, the "oh yeah you touched him during a shooting motion here's 3 FT for him" favors offense. and only then we can start talking about defensive EFFORT, and comparing it. yes, the game was much rawer in the 80s/90s, and that definitely applies to defense. a capable defender today is at least as good as back then, if not better. BUT we have 5 capable defenders in the entire league today, while in the 80s they were on every second team, and the average defender back then was MUCH better because of effort. Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Miller, Cam Whitmore, Norm Powell, J Grant, Cam Thomas, Anfernee Simons, right, the players behind the superstars - they stopped playing defense, and thats what hadnt happened in the 80s yet. and i'm not even starting on the different defensive efforts between guys like kobe and mike compared to guys like devin booker or luka. simons has a 7ft wingspan on a 6"3 frame with hyper athleticism but hasnt contested a shot in ever.

[@MasterBepis]

@@davidmartinez52420 don't forget the spacing. Watching old games again post-3pt revolution was mindblowing how the court opened up.

[@davidmartinez52420]

@@MasterBepis As this video showed, there's lots of reasons why scoring is what it is, but those with the smoothest of brains will say it's 100% because of the players themselves just being infinitely better than even 30 years ago. The whole "bigger, faster, stronger" thing that gets grossly over-exaggerated nowadays.

[@pranavmanie1479]

excellent video! this just goes to show how hard good defense really is, even when you're countering in anticipation of a move. your breakdown of DHOs was super neat.

[@ezmnysnpr]

i did not expect a james ennis clip HAHAHAH 3:24

[@2122届-罗睿喆]

Brotherrrrr THIS VIDEO BASICALLY SUMMARISED EVERY POPULAR OFFENSIVE SCHEMES THAT I NEEDED TO KNOW!!!! I LOVED IT!!!!!

[@jameshoops10]

i find this amazing i see ppl on ig who have covered the game for decades blame the level of intensity on defense and no one willing to play defense yet they go to these games see the complexity of it and boil it down to that

[@TheMissinLink]

The level of intensity throughout the regular season is definitely higher. If i could make it simple, back in the day you would guard one guy and you might have to close out to 18 feet. rarely would you make more than a couple rotations, if any at all in a possession. Nowadays? On one single possession you might have to close to a guy pulling from 35, then make your rotation across the floor, then as the ball swings around you might make 6 rotations in a single possession. That is extremely taxing on the body for an 82 game regular season. I do not think it’s a “mental” thing like most of these talking heads say.

[@maartenvz]

​@@TheMissinLinkgreat reply! I'm an old head and i agree that the game was more static back in the 90s. A lot of iso and standing still on the weak side. I think illegal defence was a big part of this besides the lack of spacing

[@poly_g6068]

@@TheMissinLink Everyone today is playing 73-9 record breaking basketball. That entire scheme is designed to tire defenses out and make them look stupid. Casuals dont see it

[@TheMissinLink]

@@poly_g6068 very well put.

[@TheMissinLink]

@@maartenvz It definitely was more stagnant, in very large part to that rule. Just watching the game it’s jarring going from today to times of illegal defense, especially late 90s when teams really had the rules figured out.

[@jesser6423]

Great video! This is the type of nuance fans need - I'm so tired of people saying simplistic statements ("players are soft and don't try on defense"). Both offense AND defense have evolved - although the increased spacing has put defense at a disadvantage. I'm really interested in seeing the defensive 3 second rule being expanded to 6 seconds or more; I'd also love to see the impact of hand checking being reinstated; but the biggest potential change could be pushing the three point line back and changing the math of 3pt shooting

[@jmgonzales7701]

its a combination of rules and players exploiting said rules

[@jmgonzales7701]

i personally disagree on pushing the line back, shorten the dimensions of the court instead

[@jesser6423]

@@jmgonzales7701 what do you mean? Like shorten the 3 pt line? My bad if don’t understand

[@jmgonzales7701]

@@jesser6423 kinda. But make the over all dimmensions like fiba. Less space means defense can recover quicker.

[@jesser6423]

@@jmgonzales7701 Huh. My initial reaction is that it would mean more three pointers shot but that is such a great point about defensive recovery.

[@maartenvz]

There's 2 important factors you missed: when illegal defence was eliminated defence became more dominant and offense had to come up with new ideas (which eventually was more spacing). Therefore the early 2000s had the lowest scoring. This in combination with the retirement of jordan led to really bad financial years for the nba. That was the main push to start favoring offense more

[@cwj_721]

Yeah no illegal defense + no spacing really killed offense. 2000s pretty objectively the worst era imo, terrible offense is terrible basketball

[@OGSauceDaddy]

That Bron lowlight at @5:21 was nasty af. Ref betting on the under I see

[@hawkname1234]

This is great. It's also weirdly almost all Warriors actions, from the ghost screen, the flipped screen, the DHO to the hoop, and the Draymond Free Safety defender. (We didn't invent Spain PnR, so can't take credit for that.)

[@ball1slife107]

not weirdly tbf, they were the last dominant dynasty

[@cwj_721]

Basketball revolutionaries at work

[@mxnoob983]

You're the first big analyst to talk the blocking foul problem. Kudos. Defenders aren't being given a fair shot at the moment.

[@tetshua_2127]

i like the discussion of the earlier trends of the pace and space era as compared to now. gives you a clearer view of how the game evolved from 2015 to today

[@DingMaX]

Great channel hopefully this video will push you over. I'm commenting specifically for the CP3 shimmy on steph clip, made my day. You a real one Daniel

very nice video, but I would add one more thing. Those old school defensive specialists like Tony Allen or Andre Roberson (without going to far back) are now unplayable and rarely teams play a second center as a power forward. Because of that there's defenses are getting weaker, in terms of personnel, while offenses are improving. I think this is another factor to consider

[@joshuat6124]

Great stuff, I learnt a lot! Will try doing ghost screens now in my pick ups.

[@Quince477]

Great video man. You really broke everything down in great detail. Like you said, officiating and hand checking definitely helped with the boom, but offenses were always evolving and still are as well as the defense. The problem is that the offense is so good now, that the defense is constantly strained again and again. If the offense makes a slight mishap , they can reset the situation if they have enough time (most of the time they do since they initate the play as soon as the player gets to the 3 pt line), but if the defense makes the smallest mistake, that can lead to an easy bucket. Great video!

[@dvdv8197]

Excellent analysis. 👍👏 To sum up: defense has gotten MUCH harder AND is being penalized much more, while offense has been rewarded and is being facilitated relentlessly. 😅😂

[@ansnwang1134]

best basketball youtuber ever

[@Aiamnobody]

Great video. I just think btw that the most impactful rule change is the defensive 3 seconds. Not being allowed to stay in the most important part of the field is a huge limit for defenses.

[@ema2kolfiz828]

Love this breakdown, thanks Daniel! It would be great if you compared NBA evolution with other basketballs like NCAA and FIBA (especially since we can't see this offensive explosion with FIBA rules, either in Euroleague or in Olympics and so) chatGPT answering on how to reduce average scoring in NBA: 1. lower shot clock (ouch!) 2. more physicality allowed 3. no defensive 3 seconds (good one) jokes apart, the NBA must consider some rules/interpretation tweaks to help the defense, some NBA games are barely watchable and any basket seems not very rewarded but just a given, leaving a sensation of futility. Players are better than ever, true, but so the defenders. If we are loose with ball handling, the natural offset is to be loose on physicality and contacts. NBA spacing is also an issue, so many times the defense forgets to cover the lane for shooters, so probably removing 3 sec could help the new roaming technique or zones. Another change I would do, that is unheard by me so far, is the restricted area: instead of protecting the show of highflying dunks, it turned to be a showcase of defenders rapidly looking for charging instead of doing insane blocks. With today's athleticism it's a shame we see so few above the rim battles, just recall some insane moves by MJ. The rule can change as follows: it is not charging if you position yourself AFTER the shooter jumps, otherwise the offensive player cannot anymore change trajectory leading to a charge, or just a 2 ft foul.

[@LeGoat-23]

Lower shot clock will lead to faster pace and more possesions which doesn't help in reducing the scoring. Also They always call a blocking foul if your feet wasn't set before the Offensive player jumped.

[@Thunderlord00]

great breakdown and presentation!

[@mettataurr]

such good content man

[@ryanlopata3886]

This is exactly correct

[@phipsdeus2]

I’m just glad you didn’t say that today’s players are lazy and don’t play defense.

[@vinciiiii5484]

Daniel is really popping off rn

[@ramtasitic2276]

Great analysis and presentation of your ideas as usual. Love your videos!

[@dimelo58]

Thank you man.

[@full6330name]

Such a well done video

[@GOlone9597]

I saw a video breaking down Wilt Chamberlain's ofc it has video clips. Comparing it to modern day NBA it's safe to say that today's player is MORE skilled than ever. Not to discount Chamberlain's greatness but he has few tricks on his bag compared to an average NBA player today. But he's definitely a freak of nature.

[@m7atthew]

i say abolish the 3 second lane violation to give defenses a chance to stop the face pace moving offences, there's no reason for it to still be a rule in todays game.

[@ScottySkilz1]

i think the real reason scoring has gone up is the over all skill level of the players has risen exponentially. giving the offense more space and deep threats then normally back in the day. like in the early 2000's we had 1 true sharp shooter from deep who was Peja and then a decent all around shooter in Bibby (with another shooter in John Barry off the bench). Now adays everyone can shoot from 3.

[@TheBuffaloFlats]

Fantastic video! I genuinely learned a lot. I had no idea so much influenced the game beyond rule changes. I just got back into basketball since I was a kid and never really knew much about schemes and playes. Glad to learn more! I still don't like the gather step though

[@youngmelo1841]

Beautiful video

[@poly_g6068]

The 4-out/5-out offense is THE biggest reason. Period. Before that, you were just watching 2000's/90's basketball

[@liekegerritsen1620]

that and pace.

[@liekegerritsen1620]

Poetic justice: Last night 8 teams failed to reach 100 points.

[@Eye_Know]

I need the ENTIRETY of Gil’s Arena to watch and react to this video…

[@brooklunwalter2482]

14:48 is a box in 1 coverage

[@Jimbona3]

11:24 baby Shai 😭😭

[@waff6ix]

EVOLUTION OF NBA DEFENSES NEXT👀🤔

[@cbbuniversity]

do you have a twitter Daniel?

[@glovs4188]

Rules aren't followed and favored the offense. Carrying, palming, travelling, charging through defenders.

[@Foggycallabasashillshelicopter]

The gather step in my opinion is the dumbest rule ever. I mean it’s just stupid how players are able to take 5-6 steps without even dribbling the ball…..

[@djdrake111]

Yes thank you cuz Rashad Mcants and Sheryl Cooper was pissin me saying No Defense 😐

[@Eddieisdaman5]

Isaiah Thomas running Spain with the Suns lineup🔒🔥🔥🔥

[@nevilleachero8054]

There is definitely going to be a defensive resurgence if the NBA brings back the hand-checking rule. What's the point of scoring 70 points a game if you also give up that same amount on defense?

[@Toothspace]

100K subs soon!

[@rafaelrivera1865]

How many videos do we really need on this topic?

[@rafikz77]

3:00 Reggie Miller was doing that

[@Toothspace]

Wish we had more rules favoring defence

[@ramtasitic2276]

honestly should remove 3 in the key rule

[@maartenvz]

The rules are ok, the refs just need to call them

[@ricardojrbatalla5368]

How about hand Check Foul, Illegal defense, D-wade Rule, 5 sec back to the basket rule, KD Rule, Reggie Miller Rule,James Rule ?

[@MuttonErase]

from what i understand, cupping the ball isn't a violation if it doesn't give the offensive player and advantage. So turning your hand over as you dribble up the court (if theres no defender)? fine. using it to misdirect your defender should be a carry violation tho

[@bobmortock]

The way the NBA is reffed it's like playing 2K and turning off all the rules. Sure it looks fun one or two times, but after awhile the lack of constraints on the offense gets really old. When there are no obstacles to overcome, nothing looks spectacular or meaningful

[@neilfordan]

The gather step is really infuriating they should outright ban it.

[@beckembrown7002]

👴🏻- Actually it’s because theirs no defense!

[@BandaidYT]

👶🏿 i don’t know my daddy

[@beckembrown7002]

@@BandaidYT u think I’m blk cus I got brown in my name? 😂

[@1vaultdweller]

How to say you are a casual. 30 years ago NBA players couldnt shoot for shit

[@BandaidYT]

@@beckembrown7002 god id feel so bad for you if you did thats a hilarious coincidence that you pointed out, what i was referring to was the common stereotype that black fathers are absent in their childrens lives.

[@Axzide]

@@BandaidYTracist weirdo lol

[@Caleb-zz8sg]

Can everyone please google what a hand check is? And that it was injitially banned in the 90s for mj.

[@caml1720]

I don’t think “than before “is what you meant to say in the intro

[@Ghgh335owns]

The historical part is wrong. Scoring went down in the 90s and early 2000s from rule changes including longer 3pt line and unbanning zone defense. Iso scoring ppp went down a ton as teams adapted in the early 2000s. Handchecking & physicality is not as big of a deal as changes to illegal defense and the impact of pace

[@howsittastes]

Zone was instituted in 2002.

[@Ghgh335owns]

@@howsittastes 97-98 season changed the illegal defense rule. Instead of being above ft line extended, help defenders could be anywhere on weak side (and could not be in the lane). It was very close to zone but not quite zone.

[@jofieji5312]

Not to hate but the really do let guys travel and carry on every play. It’s not the players fault it’s just so fast paced even in slow motion it’s hard to spot the travels sometimes. The rules are ambiguous and hard to enforce.

[@Joeman_Joeman]

Zaza puchila rule

[@mattw8813]

5:28 don’t do my glorious king 👑like that

[@hopoff9968]

It's practically illegal to play defense. The rules might not say it outright, but the officiating is CLEARLY lenient towards the offense, it's unbearable to watch at times.

[@thebestteacher7466]

Warriors > bulls

[@Book.of.Treason]

the only people who say there's no defense in today's game, only watch highlights

[@joytombe4017]

baby shai💀

[@King-ul1nn]

I’m sorry man. I cannot tolerate those damn gather steps

[@TheMissinLink]

i’m fine with the single gather step, that one simple rule has opened up so many cool moves whether it’s in the paint or the perimeter. but those instances of “faking” the gather or whatever are some bullshit.

[@connorsshizvidz1907]

Just got in bed now I get a banger 🔥

[@AlAl-nt3kl]

Goes to show that most of the old heads would be in G league or out of the league if they were to play today.

[@Toothspace]

What are some rule changes you'd like to see in the NBA, Daniel?

[@i_fuze_hostages6]

No def 3 sec and let some hand checking go uncalled

[@davidmartinez52420]

No more cupping the ball. If you do that's considered a gather Speaking of gather, if you take two steps between dribbles that will be considered a gather after the first step and you only have one more Call an offensive foul on ball handlers that initiate contact. Make some technical fouls if need be. Automatic one game suspension without pay for flopping and rip throughs, and they cannot be appealed. Add a game for each infraction(2 games for 2nd infraction, 3 for 3rd, and 4 for 4th, etc)

[@i_fuze_hostages6]

@@davidmartinez52420 nah rip through a and contact are fine but flopping all around is not good

[@Axzide]

⁠@@davidmartinez52420u have always been able to take as many steps as u want between dribbles lol. that’s stupid

[@Jeff_2x]

Here come the bum casuals and old heads who don’t watch a single lick on nba ball today saying “no defense.”

[@lalremruatpuiarenthlei4665]

Most frustrating thing is that offensive player are being rewarded for flopping and their so obvious foul drawing tactics. And the refs are the most disappointing thing ever, they have ruined the game.

[@dontlookback3549]

NBA is virtually unwatchable....just score and wait 'til you get the ball back.

[@kidalienistic]

2004 Detroit Pistons would have fun with todays "unstoppable" offense just like they had fun with Lakers unstoppable offense in 2004 finals. Due to very heavily offense favoring todays rules, the results wouldn't be 80-70 but rather 100-85. Defense still wins, you just have to look at who wins NBA championships - best defensive teams. GSW without Durant was the best defense team in the league, but offense sells and everybody went on a myth that GSW until Durant were unstoppable because they just shot 3s efficiently. Good offense isn't as reliable as good defense when it counts.

[@rafikz77]

2004 Pistons would get torched Stop it

[@kidalienistic]

@@rafikz77 2004 Pistons starting lineup is taller, more athletic, more physical than 99% of teams in history. 4 players out of 5 could shoot 3s, intelligent, defensive minded. That team was one of the best ever.

[@rafikz77]

@@kidalienistic Hamilton was mid range shooter; Prince wasn't a great 3 pt shooter; they don't have the mobility to switch in today's game They were athletic for their time but the league is more athletic today And Ben Wallace would be totally obsolete today

[@kidalienistic]

@@rafikz77 you have no clue about basketball

[@rafikz77]

More than you@@kidalienistic

[@thewhitejackharlow]

how the hell you always got a stuffy nose

[@Daniellihater]

The rise in youtubers that don’t know ball is even worse

[@arantxaurrutia0]

Thank you. They're the worst.

[@snipaaa_17]

Can’t even put your hands up on defense when someone drives anymore 😂 weak ass league let’s not act like they don’t favor tf out of offense…

[@rafikz77]

Clearly you aren’t watching the games

[@howsittastes]

Players are still allowed to hand check homie..

[@pz9mo1221]

0 defense btw

[@professionalcurrysexual]

Box score watcher comment

[@rafikz77]

0 basketball IQ btw

[@MaRinmaa]

Sport evolve,everything is better. Away games dont look like away anymore. Defence in first half is non existant,players can travel and do what ever they want on offence and defence cant do anything about that. Hell Harden have more ft's then feald goals made.

[@professionalcurrysexual]

Box score watcher comment

[@MaRinmaa]

@@professionalcurrysexual hmm i follow bb and watch every game,before you were even born,casual.