The Scoring Inflation of Modern NBA

The NBA is unrecognisable when it is compared to the 80s and 90s. The sport went from a hyperphysical, interior-centric game dominated by big men to a fast-paced, perimeter-centric shoot-out.

According to basketball reference, in the 1992/93 NBA season, five players averaged 25 points per game or over. However, looking at the current season, 16 players are averaging 25 points per game or over.

The main reason for this scoring influx is the three-point shot. Back in the 80s, 90s, and even the 2000s, the best shooters were players like Larry Bird, Reggie Miller, and Ray Allen. Bird averaged two three-pointers a game in his career, with Miller averaging five and Allen averaging six.

Larry Bird during his time at the Boston Celtics (Image: Getty Images)

Nowadays, if a player averages around the same amount of three-point attempts, they are considered a role player. The best shooters in modern NBA such as Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and James Harden all average over seven attempts with Curry averaging almost ten a game.

The adage ‘three is more than two’ often gets echoed around modern NBA. This means shooting three pointers will result in more efficient scoring overall. This has always been the case, although back in the old NBA, players weren’t shooting the three ball nearly as efficiently as they are nowadays.

The ‘Splash Bros’ playing for the Golden State Warriors (Image: Getty Images)

Once again going back to the 92/93 season, the number of players that put up 100 three-point attempts while making 40% or more was four players. In the 22/23 season, 33 players fall under this criteria. This drastic increase speaks for itself.

The average number of points scored in a game in the 22/23 season is 110 points. Going back to the 92/93 season, the average amount of points scored in a game was 104. This may not sound like a massive difference but in the NBA it is.

Players have been closer than ever to breaking more records. With 60-70 point games becoming a regularity, only time will tell what the future holds for the NBA.