Paul Westphal: NBA playing styles are too generic thanks to 3 point shot

[Bobshot]

Totally agree.

In my view, this overemphasis on the 3 is what could keep Stevens from winning a Championship.

There are just too many guys shooting the 3 who shouldn't be. Adjust your style to the skills of your players to get the most out of the team.

[Fierce1]

I think the Celts will have more balance with Kanter.

It's not fair to say Stevens relies too much on the 3s.

Celts have no big man who can score on a regular basis.
Horford was supposed to be that guy, but unfortunately Horford is not that tall and he doesn't have the lift like he used to.
If Horford was guarded by big similar to size, he would score inside.
But if Horford was up against the likes of Myles Turner, Horford couldn't score inside.

This season will be different as Kanter is one of the best bigs on offense.

But if Kanter ends up shooting a lot of 3s then that's on Brad.

[Fierce1]

One of the reasons why NBA teams are shooting more 3s is because teams are now allowed to play zone defense.

During Westphal's time, it was strictly man to man defense.
When it's pure man to man defense, there will be few open 3s.

Zone defense makes it harder to drive to the basket and score inside.

Man to man defense will allow very few open 3s, but drives to the basket and 1 on 1 play is much more easier.

Shaq keeps saying the NBA changed the rules because he was so dominant and he couldn't be stopped inside.

[Somebody]

One of the reasons why NBA teams are shooting more 3s is because teams are now allowed to play zone defense.

During Westphal's time, it was strictly man to man defense.
When it's pure man to man defense, there will be few open 3s.

Zone defense makes it harder to drive to the basket and score inside.

Man to man defense will allow very few open 3s, but drives to the basket and 1 on 1 play is much more easier.

Shaq keeps saying the NBA changed the rules because he was so dominant and he couldn't be stopped inside.

Zone defense really doesn't hurt guys like Shaq tbh, he can power through the swiping and score a bunch of and ones. It's really only the Hakeem types who take 10 seconds to catch the ball and methodically make their move who're really bothered by it, and even then they can adapt by utilising their shot more to space the floor and make quicker decisions with the ball, instead of sitting in the lane and taking a ton of time to slowly get into their "spin cycle".

[RockinRyA]

Totally agree.

In my view, this overemphasis on the 3 is what could keep Stevens from winning a Championship.

There are just too many guys shooting the 3 who shouldn't be. Adjust your style to the skills of your players to get the most out of the team.

Just like it kept the Warriors from winning 3 championship right 

[Somebody]

Totally agree.

In my view, this overemphasis on the 3 is what could keep Stevens from winning a Championship.

There are just too many guys shooting the 3 who shouldn't be. Adjust your style to the skills of your players to get the most out of the team.

Just like it kept the Warriors from winning 3 championship right 

Just like the Warriors having 2 perennial MVP candidates and 2 All-NBA level players who have skillsets tailor made for the modern NBA that we can only dream of having right