Evolution and change are natural in all walks of life. Most of the time, it's good, desirable, and people view it as something positive. However, when these changes happen, those who lived through the earlier days often look at the present through a more critical lens, pointing out what was lost. And, in a way, the same thing can be said about the game of basketball.
Norm Nixon , who ran the show for the Los Angeles Lakers and later the San Diego Clippers between 1977 and 1989, has echoed a familiar narrative many of his peers share about the way the game has developed. Sure, he might not be as harsh as some others, but Nixon acknowledged that today's evolution gives modern stars certain advantages — while, in a way, diminishing the legacy of some of the icons from the past.
"No question…" Nixon said about the difference in pace between his era and modern times in his recent appearance on Byron Scott's Fast Break podcast. "One of the biggest differences is, when we were out on a 3-on-2 fastbreak, we were going to score. But, we were going to score two points, we didn't have guys that were gonna fan out and shoot threes."
However, it didn't stop there. As it has become a recurring theme with these old-school icons, Nixon also talked about the lack of physicality from the time he played to what we get to see nowadays.
"They can't touch each other! Can you imagine if you couldn't touch Kareem or Doc? And guys like David Thompson. These guys, if you couldn't touch them… The game today, I think they done a whole lot to make it more European in the way we play," the retired point guard added.
It's not as if teams running fast in transition is some kind of new phenomenon. That has always been the case. Getting easy buckets before the defense can set has been, and still is, the best way to swing momentum and pile up points. The Showtime Lakers Nixon orchestrated were masters of that art.
The key difference now, as Nixon noted, isn't about speed, but about location. Back in the day, it was all about attacking the rim and finishing at the cup. Today, it's about spacing out and letting it fly from beyond the arc — even on a fast break where there's a numbers advantage. That shift comes directly from the analytics-driven mindset that now dominates the Association. Numbers say three points are more valuable than two, so why "settle" for a midrange jumper or a layup when you can create a deep look?
From the star players to the last man on the bench, it seems everyone is encouraged to let it fly from deep when they get a shiver of space. That's a massive philosophical shift from Nixon's playing days, when the three-point shot wasn't nearly as emphasized and it is often the main point the critics attack.
Apart from the number of deep-range shots being chucked every game, Nixon also touched on another recurring theme among the old heads: the lack of physicality. He's not the first, and he certainly won't be the last, to point out that the NBA has tilted the scales toward offense. Hand-checking is gone, defensive pressure is limited, and superstars have more freedom than ever to operate. For players of Nixon's generation, that's hard not to notice. As he put it, if these rules had been in place during his time, legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, and even high-flyers like David Thompson would've put up video-game numbers.
Sure, one might say Nixon's perspective is subjective because he lived it. But that doesn't take away from the fact that his words carry weight. He was there to witness it, so we'd better listen to what he has to say.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Oct 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
