There has been a lot of dialogue in recent years over the decline of the NBA.

Ratings fluctuate, and they weren’t good for the Association this fall when the pro season battled with football and the coverage of a presidential election.

Then came the all-star break, in which the NBA’s lackluster exhibition squared off with an international, NHL-sponsored hockey competition the likes of which we haven’t seen in a decade.

Those moments were perfect opportunities to open the closet and pull out the trusty bag of complaints centered on the state of today’s professional basketball: They don’t play defense. You can’t touch someone without it being a foul. Too many 3-pointers, not enough dunks.

There are plenty of valid complaints about the way the NBA operates as a league. Players have missed too many games in recent years, though that issue has largely been curtailed. Still, 82 games is too many, and the travel schedule is often nonsensical, so any night you show up to the arena, there’s a chance your favorite player may not be in uniform.

That stinks.

The roster movement, while exciting to track, can be unflattering. It’s nauseating to hear how often a star player is distraught with an organization, and vice versa. You’re not unreasonable for wishing that more players would remain with their teams throughout the length of their mutually agreed upon contracts.

But the actual quality of play has not dwindled — quite the opposite. It seems every attack on the state of play can be debunked through data dating back to when play-by-play  arrived in time for the 1996-97 season. For many, that’s smack dab in the middle of the Glory Days.

No defense?

Twenty-eight years ago, even with less shooting on the floor and pre-rules changes that aided offensive success, Utah shot 50.4% from the floor. That would rank second in today’s NBA. The New Jersey Nets were the worst shooting team in 1996-97 at 42.2%. Charlotte is 30th this season at 42.5%.

Teams are getting stops at the same rate.

Overall point totals are skyrocketing because teams are taking more efficient shots, such as the 3-pointer, and the overall number of possessions is soaring as pace increases. Memphis averages 104 possessions per game this season, compared to the 84 that Cleveland averaged in 1996-97.

No-touch league?

The Toronto Raptors this season lead the NBA with an average of 21.4 fouls committed per game. That same number would have put them in the top 10 for least fouls committed during the ’96-’97 campaign.  Atlanta committed the fewest fouls per game that season, with an average of 19.4. Miami is averaging 15.9 fouls this season.

Memphis leads the NBA with 24.6 free throws attempted per game. That would have ranked 17th in the league 28 years ago, when the 76ers led the NBA with a jaw-dropping 29.9 free throws a game.

It’s all 3-pointers?

Surely, that last number is because teams attacked the basket more back then, while NBA offenses are set up to get players 3-point looks now.

The reality is the percentage of points teams score in the paint versus 28 years ago is nearly identical. The Washington Bullets scored 49% of their points in the paint in the 96-97 season, the highest mark in the NBA. Denver currently leads the NBA in the same stat at … 49%.

The Chicago Bulls were in the basement in the category 28 years ago at 35.6%. The team currently ranked No. 30 overall in the NBA in percentage of points in the paint is Boston, at 35.7%.

Drive, they said

At a more granular level, Second Spectrum tracking data became available starting with the 2013-14 season. Included in that is the number of times a player “drives” the ball and the result of those attempts.

Of players with more than 300 drives in a season, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony were both fouled on more than 15% of their drives in the 2013-14 campaign. This year, Karl-Anthony Towns has the highest number at 14.9%

In total, 21 high-volume drivers drew fouls on more than 10% of their drives a decade ago. That number is down to just 12 this season, and doesn’t include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has been criticized for his high volume of free-throw attempts this season. But he only draws fouls on 9.7% of his driving attempts, and goes to the stripe so frequently because his number of driving attempts (1,141) far exceeds his contemporaries.

The middle

The general consensus is correct about 3-point attempts being way up. The Heat led the NBA in tries 28 years ago at 22.7 per game. That is nine attempts fewer than Denver, dead last in 3-point attempts this season at 31.4. Last place in 3-point attempts in the 96-97 season? Utah … with 11.

Boston currently leads the NBA at 48.4 3-point looks per game.

If NBA teams nearly three decades ago weren’t taking even half as many 3s, and weren’t scoring more in the paint, where were the other attempts coming from aside from the free-throw line? The mid-range.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks the ball while under pressure from Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Los Angeles. Dunks are far more frequent today than they were 20 years ago. (AP Photo/William Liang)

The Kings lead the NBA this season with 14.7 mid-range shots per game. That would have been last in the NBA in 1997 by nine attempts. The Bulls fired off an astounding 41.5 mid-range shots to lead the league that season. The Hawks are taking 5.6 such attempts this year.

Teams had to shoot from closer to the bucket because the 3-point shooting ability simply didn’t often exist. And even on the rosters where it did, the math problem had not yet been solved to reveal the advantage in efficiency.

So, defenses were able to condense and pack the paint to the degree where the NBA had to add a defensive 3 seconds violation prior to the 2001-02 season to prevent teams from parking a defender in the paint.

Even with that rule in place, it wasn’t until the game was truly spaced out by shooters that the sheer volume of dunks took off. An over-extended defense simply can’t defend the rim at the same rate.

Twenty years ago, Shaquille O’Neal led the NBA in dunks with 213. No. 2 was Kenyon Martin with 134. Those are microscopic numbers compared to last season, when Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 251, closely followed by 248 from Rudy Gobert. Martin’s 134 slams from 20 seasons prior would have finished in a tie for 14th a year ago.

So …

While nostalgia reigns supreme when creating the perceptions of pro basketball of yesteryear and that of today’s game, the stats show the case. Yes, there are more 3-pointers, but there are also far more dunks and significantly fewer free throws amid what’s become a much faster-paced game.

By most accounts, that would equal a better brand of basketball.

But if you’re someone who craves walking the ball up the floor, mid-range jumpers, post ups and endless free throws, yes, sorry, your version of the NBA is likely not returning anytime soon.

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By Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com

If you sell goods or services or rent property, and get paid through Venmo, PayPal, Cash App or another payment app, you may have been surprised by a Form 1099-K this year.

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Here’s why you might be among the millions of taxpayers who got this form for the first time: If you received a total of $5,000 or more through a payment app in 2024, that company is now required to report that amount to you — and to the IRS.

The standard before 2024 was that a 1099-K had to be issued only if you received $20,000 or more and had more than 200 transactions. Now the threshold dollar amount is much lower, and there’s no minimum transaction requirement.

And that threshold amount is slated to drop even more, with even more people likely to receive 1099-Ks next year: The $5,000 reporting threshold for tax year 2024 drops to $2,500 for 2025 and then plummets to $600 for 2026 and beyond.

While the new reporting rules might be a shock to some freelancers or people with side hustles, technically the tax rules didn’t change: You were always supposed to report that income to the IRS.

What is the 1099-K?

The 1099-K form reports payments for goods and services received from credit cards, mobile payment apps, online marketplaces, auction sites, ride-hailing apps, crowdfunding sites and more. Form 1099-K must be sent to taxpayers by Jan. 31 of the following year. That is, you should have received your 1099-K for 2024 by the end of January 2025. (See the 2025 tax deadlines.)

If you sell goods or services, or rent out property, the money you earn is generally taxable income (which, don’t forget, you can reduce by your costs, including qualified business deductions). Even selling your own clothes or furniture could count as taxable income, the IRS says, if you earned a profit.

If, however, you’re using Venmo or another payment app to pay your friend back for dinner, or to send a birthday present to your sister, this money shouldn’t be reported on a 1099-K. If you do receive a 1099-K, you’ll want to check to make sure that only taxable income is included on the form. (See below for how to deal with incorrect 1099-Ks.)

The income threshold for Form 1099-K was lowered to $600 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. Prior to ARPA’s passage, only total payments of $20,000 or more, and more than 200 transactions, required a Form 1099-K.

During the debate over ARPA, tax pros and others expressed opposition to the lowered payment thresholds, with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants among those warning Congress that the lower threshold would lead to confusion and errors. Ultimately, the IRS postponed the new reporting requirements in 2022 and 2023, allowing more time for the payment apps, officially known as third-party settlement organizations, to conform.

New 1099-K reporting requirements

To give third-party settlement organizations more time to comply with 1099-K reporting requirements, in 2024 the IRS announced a phased-in approach to the reporting thresholds:

2023 and earlier: $20,000+ and 200+ transactions

2024: $5,000+

2025: $5,000+

2025: $2,500+

2026: $600+

Not all payment apps are alike

While taxpayers can expect Form 1099-Ks from PayPal, Venmo, or Cash App, Zelle won’t be included in that list.

“The Zelle platform directly transfers funds from one bank account to another, similar to a wire transfer. Thus, it never has custody of the funds, it simply moves money,” says Monica Houston, a certified public accountant in Brentwood, Calif.

Therefore, Zelle transactions are not subject to reporting requirements.

Who is likely to receive a 1099-K?

The Form 1099-K is issued to taxpayers who receive direct payments for selling goods or providing services. While the reporting income threshold is $5,000 for 2024, in some cases you may receive a Form 1099-K even if the dollar amount is below the reporting threshold.

Whether you receive a Form 1099-K or not, if you received taxable income from the sales of goods or services, you’ll need to report it on your tax return.

What if you get an incorrect 1099-K?

If you used a payment app to exchange money with friends and family, that exchange isn’t taxable, and you shouldn’t receive a Form 1099-K for those transactions.

If you do receive a 1099-K with these types of transactions reported, then you shouldn’t report these as taxable income. Instead, contact the issuer of the Form 1099-K, request that they remove these items from the form and reissue a corrected Form 1099-K. The IRS has instructions on how to handle this situation.

If you use payment apps for personal and business use, then it makes sense to have a solid accounting system to clearly distinguish between business and personal payments.

“I recommend using an Excel spreadsheet or consider using QuickBooks online to adopt a computerized accounting system,” Houston says. Taking these steps can ensure you report your income correctly on your income tax return.

How to report income reported on Form 1099-K

Form 1099-K reports various types of payments, which affect how you report your income on your Form 1040 and related forms and schedules. If you sold personal items, you will need to report them on your tax return. If the item was sold for a loss, you cannot deduct the loss from your taxes, but you can zero out the reported income. However, if you sold an item for a profit, you must report the profit, which is the amount received less your cost, as taxable income.

Whether you receive payments for goods sold, services provided or rental property, these must be reported on your tax return. Freelancers, gig workers and self-employed people generally report income on Schedule C of their income tax returns. Rent payments are reported on Schedule E.

Houston stresses the importance of staying abreast of the new tax law changes and encourages taxpayers to take an active part in the tax process. “I highly recommend that they enlist assistance from a qualified tax professional in the final preparation of their return especially if they are receiving a Form 1099-K. The return on investment is usually worth it in many ways,” Houston says.

©2025 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet

A financially-stressed Reddit user recently asked for advice: As the primary earner in their family, which includes two children, how could they keep up with a mortgage and other expenses once severance ran out?

Reddit users offered many helpful ideas. Filing for unemployment, looking for other forms of state assistance and finding a new job — even if it’s not perfect — were among the most popular suggestions.

When we asked financial experts how someone can best survive a period of unemployment, they echoed many of those same tips. They also emphasized the importance of budgeting, even before a job loss occurs.

Here are their strategies:

Cut back on all but the essential expenses

“Focus on your essentials, and cut that budget to as bare bones as possible,” says Danielle Byrd Thompson, a financial advisor with TPS Financial in Washington, D.C.

Thompson says using an online budgeting tool or budget app, which can help you stay on top of necessary expenses and uncover where you can freeze spending for the time being.

“What can be pared back without completely blowing up your lifestyle?” asks Lori Gross, a financial advisor at Outlook Financial Center in Troy, Ohio.

If you have multiple premium streaming subscriptions, for example, she suggests cutting them all except one basic subscription.

Lean on community resources

Local communities typically offer resources to people in need, Gross says, including food banks, crisis relief services and low-income assistance programs.

She encourages people struggling to pay for essentials to look up these kinds of local resources. The website 211.org can be a valuable resource to find nearby support.

Take advantage of hardship programs

In some cases, Thompson says, mortgage, phone and utility companies offer hardship programs that allow customers to temporarily pause payments when they are experiencing a short-term financial challenge, such as unemployment.

“Typically every provider has a plan,” Thompson says. She suggests calling, explaining your situation and asking about options.

While loan providers may also offer hardship programs, Thompson suggests first waiting a month to see if you really need to use it. After all, the debt continues to grow even if payments are temporarily paused.

“If you can afford to stick to the plan, then you should continue to pay, but if you can’t, pull back immediately,” she suggests.

Essentials like food and housing have to take priority if you are forced to make that difficult choice.

Earn income where you can

“No one is too good to bus tables, be a hostess or do food delivery,” Thompson says.

She suggests taking on these kinds of part-time roles to make money and fill the gaps before your next full-time position.

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“It puts cash in your pocket so you’re not totally depleting your savings,” she adds.

If you do earn extra income, Gross says, be sure to keep careful records of both your earnings and expenses. When you file your taxes, it will be easier to make sure you’re paying the correct amount.

At the same time, indicate on LinkedIn and other job-search websites that you are available for work, Gross suggests. That way, recruiters can find you and reach out if they have an opening.

“Be open to your options, even if they’re outside your normal parameters,” she suggests.

For example, perhaps you’ll find a job opening in an industry you worked in many years ago, even if it doesn’t match up with your most recent job experience.

When possible, prioritize emergency savings

Once you find a new job, Thompson says it’s time to begin rebuilding emergency savings. In fact, the period of unemployment might inspire you to shore up savings for next time.

Ideally, she says, everyone should aim to set aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses in a high-yield savings account. If that figure is too daunting, then saving a smaller amount can also help.

“Savings are the first line of defense when it comes to unexpected unemployment,” Thompson says. “Even if you start saving only $20 a month, make it a habit, then build from there.”

Reddit is an online forum where users share their thoughts in “threads” on various topics. The popular site includes plenty of discussion on financial subjects like budgeting and financial hardship, so we sifted through Reddit forums to get a pulse check on how users feel about surviving periods of unemployment. People post anonymously, so we cannot confirm their individual experiences or circumstances.

Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer.

INDIANAPOLIS — For the second straight year, the Vikings ranked No. 2 in workplace conditions, according to the annual report cards released by the NFLPA. The only team that outperformed the Vikings was the Miami Dolphins.

This process of players anonymously grading their respective teams was put in place by the NFLPA three years ago. The main goal was to hold each franchise accountable for how they treat their players.

The categories include ownership, head coach, team travel, locker room, weight room and training staff among a handful of other categories. A total of 1,695 players participated in this year’s survey, which, according to the NFLPA, equates to roughly 77 percent of membership

Some notable highlights for the Vikings were owner Zygi Wilf and head coach Kevin O’Connell each receiving an A+ grade. The praise for Wilf included his willingness to invest in team facilities and build a competitive team, while O’Connell was lauded for being highly receptive to player feedback.

Additionally, the Vikings also received an A+ grade for both their locker room and their treatment of families. They have long been viewed as the NFL’s gold standard when it comes to treatment of families.

The biggest jump for the Vikings came with their training staff. They finished with a B grade last year in that category and it was raised it to an A this year. The improvement showcases the point of the NFLPA releasing its annual report cards.

The only place where the Vikings regressed was with their/dietician. They received an A grade last year and a B+ grade this year. It’s a good bet the Vikings will make that a point of emphasis moving forward.

Here’s a breakdown of where the Vikings ranked in each category this year compared to last year:

Treatment of Families

This year: A + (first)

Last year: A (first)

Food/Cafeteria

This year: A- (ninth)

Last year: B+ (seventh)

Nutritionist/Dietician

This year: B+ (fifteenth)

Last year: A (first)

Locker Room

This year: A+ (first)

Last year: A (first)

Training Room

This year: A- (fourth)

Last year: A- (second)

Training Staff

This year: A (second)

Last year: B (ninth)

Weight Room

This year: A- (tenth)

Last year: A (eighth)

Strength Coaches

This year: A (second)

Last year: A (first)

Team Travel

This year: A (third)

Last year: A- (second)

Head Coach

This year: A+ (third)

Last year: A+ (second)

Ownership

This year: A+ (third)

Last year: A+ (second)

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