Why Don't NBA rookies score like they used to?

[PortCityProphet]

Wilt came in dropped 30+ , Kareem and MJ 28, Oscar 30, A.I. 23, David Robinson 24.
Basically some all time greats I know that but none of those dudes had 3 point shots. Of the top 20 rookie ppg leaders only 2 have been after 1990 (Shaq and AI).
Has the league gotten that much harder to score in? Rookies less prepared? Less one on one? What's the deal?
(Ain't shyt else to talk about in the middle of July )

 

[Brozay]

Of the top 20 rookie ppg leaders only 2 have been after 1990 (Shaq and AI).

I dont think thats accurate. Blake Griffin & Duncan comes to mind

(EDIT: I read that stat wrong, thought it said 20 ppg > scorers as rookies - but Blake is still top 20 and Duncan is 21 )

and I think the answer is somewhat obvious, players are generally turning pro sooner, right?

 

[ReggieFlare]

I'd wager that average level of talent in the NBA has risen over the past 15 years, so its harder for guys who have never been in the league to start dropping buckets. Old heads probably got a different answer though

 

[MustafaSTL]

Are you looking for something other than the obvious answer? You know, the obvious answer that players come in the league now with one season in college? As opposed to 4 year players ready to play right away?

 

[360Waves]

Are you looking for something other than the obvious answer? You know, the obvious answer that players come in the league now with one season in college? As opposed to 4 year players ready to play right away?

It really has nothing to do with that.

The average player in today's NBA is just flat out better than the average player back in the 70's or 80's. Scoring as a WHOLE is down in comparison to that era and it's because it's harder to score now and the pace of the game is played far slower.

You transfer some of the modern-day rookie standouts like Damian Lillard, Blake Griffin, hell even Andrew Wiggins, back to that time period, playing in that retardedly fast up and down 130ppg pace and you think they don't average 20+ppg?

MJ averaged 28ppg his rookie year. I got all the respect in the world for that dude but, despite everything the 80's/90's stan will want to tell you, he could NOT do that in today's NBA. Pace of the game is far slower, players are much better. Tell me about all the amazing perimeter players (especially at the 2) of the 80's that were checking MJ.

 

[WuDatWuDat]

Top players are just younger (going to college for a year) and thus less developed, both physically and mentally.

Looking at the list of top rookie scorers of all time, 15 of 20 were before the 80's, so the game has taken a major leap since then. Other than that, Jordan was 21 when he was a rookie, Robinson was 22, Iverson 21, Cummings 21. Shaq was the youngest out of the group at 20.

Looking at the past draft, the top two picks in Wiggins and Parker were both 19 when drafted.

 

[Malta]

Wilt came in dropped 30+ , Kareem and MJ 28, Oscar 30, A.I. 23, David Robinson 24.
Basically some all time greats I know that but none of those dudes had 3 point shots. Of the top 20 rookie ppg leaders only 2 have been after 1990 (Shaq and AI).
Has the league gotten that much harder to score in? Rookies less prepared? Less one on one? What's the deal?
(Ain't shyt else to talk about in the middle of July )

Guys hit the league at 18-19, look at when they typically have their true break out seasons, right around 21-22 when they're in their 3rd year, 21-22 is when guys used to come into the league.

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

Shaq played 37.9 mpg his rookie season. Top tier rookies nowadays hardly play 20-25 mpg

 

[Draje]

Less time, slower place, defenses are more complicated and your average NBA player is much better and more athletic than they used to be, etc

 

[FunkDoc1112]

They come out of college too soon. Most of these guys don't really emerge until their third seasons or so now.

 

[FAH1223]

I dont think thats accurate. Blake Griffin & Duncan comes to mind

(EDIT: I read that stat wrong, thought it said 20 ppg > scorers as rookies - but Blake is still top 20 and Duncan is 21 )

and I think the answer is somewhat obvious, players are generally turning pro sooner, right?

Griffin was drafted at 20 and didn't play his first year.

He and Duncan were 21 when they put up those numbers

You won't see any of these 18-19 year olds doing that unless they're LeBron, Melo, KD talents..

 

[FTBS]

They aren't physically and/or mentally ready, period. Pace and defenses or any other plea got nothing to do with it. Like @Malta said, guys are doing the same stuff at the same ages now, it's just that a 21/22 year old is a 3 or 4 year vet now as opposed to a rookie.

 

[Brozay]

Griffin was drafted at 20 and didn't play his first year.

He and Duncan were 21 when they put up those numbers

You won't see any of these 18-19 year olds doing that unless they're LeBron, Melo, KD talents..

Ok?

 

[FAH1223]

Ok?

All you got are 18-19 year olds getting drafted now

They don't breakout till 21-22.

Maybe even later.

Those two mentioned were putting up #s at that age...

 

[PortCityProphet]

So playing in the nba earlier doesn't actually help players?