It’s safe to say that broadcast legend Bob Costas isn’t a big fan of the current state of the NBA in one particular aspect.
Appearing on the Michael Kay Show, Costas said that he’s not a fan of the vast increase in the number of three-point attempts per game and the use of analytics. He said that it’s reduced the number of fast breaks and he doesn’t feel “as close to the NBA” in recent years.
“What worked for a competitive edge, or at least arguably that’s what the analytics showed you to do, did not work well for baseball as an entertainment product,” Costas said. “And I think the same thing is true – I’m not as close to the NBA now as I am to baseball – but in what I’ve observed, it’s not so pleasing to see two teams combine for 80 3-point attempts in a game. Or to see a potential fast break, and the two guys on the wing run to the respective corners instead of finishing off a beautifully-executed fast break.”
There are a lot of people who agree with Costas but a number who feel that Costas is just being a stick in the mud:
I agree with him. Analytics is ruining the NBA like it did baseball. https://t.co/0VXZAKo5dW
— Frank A. Kalman (@FaKalman) May 20, 2023
100% spot on. https://t.co/ZxFHTiUHMY
— Chris Maathuis (@sports8) May 20, 2023
“Every sport should be exactly as it was in 1978,” Bob Costas said, just as he has said in every interview he’s ever given since 1979 https://t.co/JvJEkFUU08
— Bart Winkler (@WinksThinks) May 20, 2023
I can see both sides.
A. The game is evolving. The 3-point shot is as important as it’s ever been, and maybe Costas isn’t used to that.
B. The NBA is kinda lame in some ways because most teams just give the ball to their best player/shooter to take a step-back 3. No strategy. https://t.co/nynOqFUznN
— Timothy Lindsey (@TimoLindsey) May 20, 2023
There’s no denying that the NBA has changed a ton over the last decade due in no small part to the rise in three-point efficiency and the advent of analytics in basketball.
It’s hard to tell what kind of role these changes have had on viewership as well.
Perhaps the NBA will changes its rules in the near future to make three point shots harder.
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