Last time, I discussed the importance of officiating in comparing NBA Generations. How rules change the aspect of the game and make it impossible to intertwine the skills of Michael Jordan and Jerry West. A long line of red-tape disguise each time period’s greatness, and today, I will delve into it further.

The 3 point field goal is a huge part of the NBA, actually all of basketball since the rule was instated back in 1979 by the late Larry O’Brien. It changed the game, creating new opportunities and strategies by both offenders and opponents. Teams started to add this new region of the court to alter the opponents’ method of victory, and shaped a new generation of players in the process.

It should be evident how this alters the history of the game as well. Can you imagine how much better Jerry West would be? I mentioned him in the prelude, comparing him to the greatest man to ever play the game. Well, at least most think. Some NBA analysts and players actually think West is the best player of all time. Myself included. The man had unlimited range, a pull up J better than any other, even to this date, and a great finisher around the basket. Did I mention his nickname was Mr. Clutch (cue 60’ buzzer beater against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the NBA Finals)? Now let’s look at his numbers: A career average of 27-7-6 guy during the regular season and 29-6-6 during the playoffs including a NBA record 46.3 ppg against the Knicks in the Western Division Finals.

Now, with all that information, one can conjure a case that he is the best basketball player of all time despite being on the losing side of the NBA Finals every year but one.

Well let’s look at that for a minute. Let’s say the three point arch was established in 1960, when West was drafted, and look at it in this vantage point. A game dictated by the dominance of center greats Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, and Bill Russell will be isolated due to West knocking down trey’s left and right, and causing Red Auerbach to change his defensive strategy all together. Bill Russell is not as effective as he usually is, opening the door to Elgin and Wilt to exploit new found creases in the defense and changing NBA history in the process. Russell’s eleven championships now diminish to 6. Red Auerbach’s 10 is reduced, giving the title to Phil Jackson by a landslide for the most championships won by a coach. The Celtics become the second place team next to the Lakers greatness. An NBA history altered by a line that is 2 inches thick, and 23 feet away from the basket. A hilarious irony, if you will, is bestowed on the league’s past, present and future, but I digress.

Let’s go back to the MJ comparison. Michael Jordan was never a great 3 point shooter; the only famish to his game, and never looked for it either. But he had that option, it was always there for him, and he never took advantage of it. He really didn’t need it though, but when comparing to Jerry West in this hypothetical world… it’s all that matters. If you ever watch tape of Jerry West, you will know what I am talking about. He made jumpers from no man’s land, and at all different angles. He’d pull down a rebound, come up the court, stop on a dime, pull up and drain a thirty footer, as if it was nothing. That’s what his game was. His range was scary. You know J.J. Redicks range in college… multiply that by 2 and that equates to Jerry West’s comfort zone. Yeah, his Comfort Zone. It’s not until the 40 foot range, he looked a little uncomfortable. He was that good, and I am going to correct myself; you need to watch this man, so smooth, relaxed, and in total control. With all that, imagine if he was rewarded an extra point on all of those shots.

A Generation defined by a painting on wooden planks.

The three point field goal affects many other players as well, even in a negative way. Take … (to be continued)

This is The Ref signaling I’m out until next time and remember We miss calls, you miss layups.