re: How is Lebron at 38 still able to outperform MJ at 34.

quote:

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And for the defense was better in the 80s argument, the stats dont back it up.

1989 teams made 42.5 shots on 89 attempts per game

2022 teams made 40.6 shots on 88 attempts per game.

That is despite

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Your entire argument is invalid due to volume of long range shots per game. 2022 the average number of 3s taken a game was 34. In 1989, it was 6. The longer the shoot the less percent it goes in. The NBA of old was a paint game which translates into better fg %.

2022-23
47.4% total fgs - 35% from 3 - 55% from 2.

1989-1990
45.1% total fgs - 33% from 3 - 48% from 2.

To me this shows no interior defense is being played in todays NBA. Are are todays players much better shooters? The 3 point % doesnt correlate your narrative. 2% isnt much a difference. It just wasnt emphasized as it is now.


LeBrons longevity is incredible. Akin to Tom Brady's. But there are a few big reasons why both have had such long careers, and only 1 is their own doing. Both take extreme care of their bodies, but both have benefitted greatly from advanced science for their bodies and both games are very much less physical from previous decades.


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