re: Are NBA players more skilled today or is it just a function of defensive rules changes?

Not more skilled, just different skills. I don’t think players of the 80s and 90s spent a whole lot of time practicing 3 point shots like they do now. Obviously guys like Reggie Miller, Chuck Person, Bird probably did. Now it’s a 3 fest and it’s exciting to watch- for a little while. I miss the days of the 2 person back and forth between Bird and Michale or Magic and Kareem. If you double McHale he kicks it to Bird for the jumper. If you attack Bird, McHale does a double pump spinning fadeaway. Most of all, I miss the midrange jump shot, almost a lost art in todays game