As if we needed more proof that (to paraphrase Churchill’s fake quote) God loves babies, drunks, the U.S.A. and football, we don’t need to focus on football’s lack of RSNs or its Covid timing or its handling of red/blue America or even its immunity to the player empowerment era - we can just look at how advanced analytics have crippled the watchability of the NBA and MLB while turbocharging the NFL.
NBA advance stats led teams to generally forsake everything but three pointers and free throws.
MLB advance stats led pitchers and batters to focus on the three true outcomes of home runs, strikeouts, and walks.
NFL advance stats led teams to minimize running plays in exchange for more passing plays.
The reason the NFL won with these changes is the same reason the NBA and MLB lost. The fun in these games is directly proportional to how much of the field/court is in play.
The NFL passing game revolution was both vertical and horizontal and made almost every inch of the field usable. The NBA and MLB’s revolutions took away giant swaths of the court/field and thus minimized motion and action.
I feel like some of the discussion on changing foul calling habits is missing what really irks me as a fan, and therefore, must be the primary source of “irk” for all fans. I don’t mind high scoring games, or free throws, or players scoring very high amounts of points. You mentioned the idyllic of scoring around 100, but I think the actual idyllic fans are looking for is the players looking like they’re playing basketball and not playing fool the ref on a basketball court. If the scores of the game don’t change one bit but calling less fouls discourages all the explicit antics players use to draw fouls it will be so worth it. That’s the clear delineator between superstars that are popular and those who aren’t. Harden, young and even embiid to an extent are not nearly as lauded as other contemporaries because they don’t look like they’re playing the same game everyone else is. That’s the essence that the current game is missing in my opinion and thought it was worth mentioning.
Of course the NBA is lying but isn't this what the anti-Silver guys have been pining for when they wax poetic about the cloak-and-dagger David Stern era where he would lie to the media's face with a wry smile and knowing twinkle in the eye?
Listening to that Zack Lowe podcast, I was tearing my hair out. Just don't lie to the viewers, guys! We aren't stupid in 2024. It's clear Adam reached a boiling point at the all-star game, he told the refs to issue a Points of Emphasis on foul hunting drives, and the young refs took it a bit too literally. So, the question remains - why is the league refusing to admit this? Follow-up, why was Haberstroh playing so coy?
I feel like this podcast was tailor-made for me, very enjoyable listen and it's nice to see the topic of officiating adjustments is getting a larger audience. Present company excluded, it's a largely under-reported issue that has potentially huge implications across the sport/business/betting.
Any possibility Tom cannot confirm due to the role with the Blazers broadcast, pseudo-partner of the NBA? If it is the case or something like it — then as a conflict of interest the reluctance to sign off fully with Ethan’s conclusion would make sense.
Inference to the best explanation given the evidence would support Ethan’s firmer conclusion.
As if we needed more proof that (to paraphrase Churchill’s fake quote) God loves babies, drunks, the U.S.A. and football, we don’t need to focus on football’s lack of RSNs or its Covid timing or its handling of red/blue America or even its immunity to the player empowerment era - we can just look at how advanced analytics have crippled the watchability of the NBA and MLB while turbocharging the NFL.
NBA advance stats led teams to generally forsake everything but three pointers and free throws.
MLB advance stats led pitchers and batters to focus on the three true outcomes of home runs, strikeouts, and walks.
NFL advance stats led teams to minimize running plays in exchange for more passing plays.
The reason the NFL won with these changes is the same reason the NBA and MLB lost. The fun in these games is directly proportional to how much of the field/court is in play.
The NFL passing game revolution was both vertical and horizontal and made almost every inch of the field usable. The NBA and MLB’s revolutions took away giant swaths of the court/field and thus minimized motion and action.
I feel like some of the discussion on changing foul calling habits is missing what really irks me as a fan, and therefore, must be the primary source of “irk” for all fans. I don’t mind high scoring games, or free throws, or players scoring very high amounts of points. You mentioned the idyllic of scoring around 100, but I think the actual idyllic fans are looking for is the players looking like they’re playing basketball and not playing fool the ref on a basketball court. If the scores of the game don’t change one bit but calling less fouls discourages all the explicit antics players use to draw fouls it will be so worth it. That’s the clear delineator between superstars that are popular and those who aren’t. Harden, young and even embiid to an extent are not nearly as lauded as other contemporaries because they don’t look like they’re playing the same game everyone else is. That’s the essence that the current game is missing in my opinion and thought it was worth mentioning.
Of course the NBA is lying but isn't this what the anti-Silver guys have been pining for when they wax poetic about the cloak-and-dagger David Stern era where he would lie to the media's face with a wry smile and knowing twinkle in the eye?
On kickers, former 9ers Offensive tackle Harris Barton put it this way:
"You have 100 guys out there running into each other for three hours, then
some guy who wears Birkenstocks runs out and tries to win it."
Kinda feel like the excellent question that went something like:
Is the narrative of the players being so much better than the past shattered by the officiating changes?
was ducked.
I love you, Harry Barton.
Listening to that Zack Lowe podcast, I was tearing my hair out. Just don't lie to the viewers, guys! We aren't stupid in 2024. It's clear Adam reached a boiling point at the all-star game, he told the refs to issue a Points of Emphasis on foul hunting drives, and the young refs took it a bit too literally. So, the question remains - why is the league refusing to admit this? Follow-up, why was Haberstroh playing so coy?
I feel like this podcast was tailor-made for me, very enjoyable listen and it's nice to see the topic of officiating adjustments is getting a larger audience. Present company excluded, it's a largely under-reported issue that has potentially huge implications across the sport/business/betting.
Enjoyable listen. Like the combo.
Any possibility Tom cannot confirm due to the role with the Blazers broadcast, pseudo-partner of the NBA? If it is the case or something like it — then as a conflict of interest the reluctance to sign off fully with Ethan’s conclusion would make sense.
Inference to the best explanation given the evidence would support Ethan’s firmer conclusion.