Preseason trends to watch for Regular season 1987

[Cellar-door]

Now we all know that Preseason can be misleading, many teams try unusual lineups, or IR stars to figure out who wins bench roles.

However, there are often things we can learn, so lets take a look at some trends.

1. The 3 point revolution.... is it here?

Anyone who was in DASL 1.0 knows that at a certain point 3s started to become a bigger part of the game, and a few teams are testing the waters on if that time is now.

Most notable... Utah averaged 17.6 3PA in the preseason. Not only is this the most in the league, but their .213 3PAr is pushing the limits of the engine (from my articles in DASL 1.0, we discovered that something around .220-.230 is the max the game will allow, a tiny number compared to basically all real life NBA teams in recent years, but it seems hard capped in the software).

Hawks are also over 15 3PA a game, and Blazers are the only other team to break 10, so if the revolution is here they are on the ground floor.

However.... only the Blazers had a strong record in pre-season. So it may be they are a bit too early and the punishing inside game of the 80s is offsetting their free shooting ways.

2. Living at the Line?

A few teams are experiencing extraordinary success at getting to the line through Preseason. Led by the GOAT Moses Malone, the 76ers are drawing FTs at a rate of 1 FTA for every 2.3 FGA. An astounding number that suggests that close to one in every 5 non-turnover possessions for the 76ers is ending with someone (Mostly Moses who averages a FTA for every 1.6 FGA) at the line.

Close behind are the Heat who have a FTA every 2.47 FGA, an impressive number given that while their stars go to the line often, neither goes at anything like the rate Moses does, with Bird and Carroll both averaging more than 2.0 FGA per FTA.

3. That has to be Luck Right?

Some weird aberrations to keep an eye on when predicting the season:

Opponent 3pt%..... Despite facing an above average amount of 3PA, the Celtics somehow surrendered a paltry .244 Opponent 3pt%, now looking at the roster BOS does have good defenders, but it seems likely a regression is due in the regular season.

On the flip side.. the Bucks allowed opponents to shoot a SCORCHING .443 from 3pt land. Now they aren't loaded with perimeter defenders, but this is a number to keep an eye on for regression as almost half the league didn't give up .443 overall on all FGA.

4. First Sim Matchups to keep an eye on
Day 5- The bombs away Hawks face the hapless Bucks' 3pt defense, in our first test of whether the preseason was an aberration or they are really going to struggle with outside opponents.
Day 9- The Bully Ball 76ers face the Hawks, who allowed the 2nd highest FTA per game in the pre-season.... Moses could feast.

[UOducksTK1]

Yeah our 3point defense was on drugs.

[lukeyrid13]

I didn’t realize we attempted that many 3s. That’s with Jordan only playing 12 minutes a game in the pre season too

[DrBradBuss]

This article has great potential.
I wish it covered a few more trends and maybe in a little more depth.
Good job though.

[Cellar-door]

Whenever you decide this has enough votes:

Hopson:
Jump Shot
3 pt Shot

[Oregon Ownage]

Hopson:
3 pt Shot

Done