In the 1990s and early 2000s, the NBA suffered from slow-paced basketball, leading to declining ratings and fan interest, prompting the need for internal changes. The Sacramento Kings and later the Phoenix Suns, under coach Mike D’Antoni, revolutionized the game with a fast-paced, high-scoring offensive style influenced by Shaquille O’Neal’s dominance. By the 2018-19 season, D’Antoni’s “Seven Seconds or Less” philosophy led to teams averaging over 110 points per game, rejuvenating the league’s appeal and establishing “pace and space” as the new standard in basketball.
