Jalen Rose explains the reason behind sudden scoring outburst in the NBA
Jalen Rose was the 13th overall pick of the 1994 NBA Draft, playing in an era when physicality and defense were at the forefront. Speaking on "NBA Countdown," the ESPN analyst (who played in the lowest scoring era since the mid-1950s) discussed the scoring outburst in the modern era, stating:
"The main difference is the level of physicality doesn't exist anymore, and what I mean is hand checking, hard fouls. When you make a shot now, you can celebrate to the high heaven. Before, if you made a great shot, the first guy would foul you and then the second guy would knock you to the floor.
"That's the number one difference. The element of physicality, and intimidation in rivalries do not exist in any way, shape, or form."
Rose went on to discuss one reason for the lack of physicality, adding:
"The game is smaller. There's a position called power forward. That guy used to be somebody that gave you fouls, that gave you physicality, then gave you points and rebounds. Now, that position is somebody that played shooting guard or small forward in high school. It's a stretch four."
The 2022-2023 season is currently in line to be the highest-scoring season since 1969-1970. There have also been more 40-point games at this point in the season than any other campaign in NBA history.
Watch Jalen Rose discuss how the lack of physicality has led to a scoring outburst in the NBA below (starting at the 2:13 mark):
Jalen Rose claims that injuries did not affect Bucks and Nets 2020-2021 series
In their title-winning 2020-2021 season, the Milwaukee Bucks needed overtime in the seventh game of a hard fought series to knock off the Brooklyn Nets. "NBA Countdown" host Mike Greenberg pointed out that injuries to Kyrie Irving and former-Net James Harden had derailed the series, leading co-host Jalen Rose to claim:
"Soon as I hear people bring up the Kyrie Irving injury, it reminds me that people still disrespect Giannis. That's all this becomes. Giannis found a way to be the best player in the game, win the championship, win the MVP, win the Defensive Player of the Year. They were going to beat the Nets."
Stephen A. Smith could not believe what Jalen Rose had just claimed, responding:
"What? You did not just say that. What? What? That is nonsense. I will remind you. The Brooklyn Nets was up by 50. 50! And then by the way, even when Kyrie went down, if KD had wore size 12.5 instead of a size 13, they'd have been home. What're you talking about?"
Kevin Durant infamously wore a shoe that was one size too big, which allowed the Bucks to make it to overtime in the decisive Game 7. Milwaukee would go on to win the title while Brooklyn would eventually trade Harden to the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Watch the NBA Countdown crew discuss Game 7 of the 2020-2021 series between the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets below (starting at the 5:20 mark):