Why Did FG%'s Used To Be So Low?

[Redz]

nickagneta said this in another thread:

6. Bill Sharman - the forgotten great often. the best pure shooter of his time who averaged 43-45% FG% in a time when the average FG% was probably in the mid 30's. And those were mostly outside shots.

Having looked at the stats from way back when I've always wondered why the FG% were always so low.  I didn't want to start a tangent in that thread.  But Nick, anyone, why?

Were players just worse shooters?  Was the D better?  Fewer dunks? Some combo.  What?

[angryguy77]

nickagneta said this in another thread:

6. Bill Sharman - the forgotten great often. the best pure shooter of his time who averaged 43-45% FG% in a time when the average FG% was probably in the mid 30's. And those were mostly outside shots.

Having looked at the stats from way back when I've always wondered why the FG% were always so low.  I didn't want to start a tangent in that thread.  But Nick, anyone, why?

Were players just worse shooters?  Was the D better?  Fewer dunks? Some combo.  What?

Too many slow white guys

Don't know if this is correct or not, but I would guess that they called the game according to the rules more than today. I don't think you would have been able to plam the ball and studder step which makes it harder to defend your guy  back then. But I think the advent of the dunk has something to do with it and the fact that the athletes today are quicker and can jump higher.

[guava_wrench]

Players weren't as skilled back then. The level of commitment and training at a young age these days is ridiculous.

Watch old film. Players back then look incredibly awkward. Ray Allen would look like an alien playing in a game in the 50s or 60s due to both his beautiful jumper form and his smoothness going to the hoop.

[angryguy77]

Players weren't as skilled back then. The level of commitment and training at a young age these days is ridiculous.

Watch old film. Players back then look incredibly awkward. Ray Allen would look like an alien playing in a game in the 50s or 60s due to both his beautiful jumper form and his smoothness going to the hoop.

I'd give my left arm to see that. Just imagine 9 other guys watching in disbelief