[Cap]

The powers that be wanted to increase scoring in the league. Instead of just waiting for it to happen, they implemented some rule changes and dropped some whispers into the ears of the refs and, BAM, you get 4 players averaging ~30ppg and 30+, 40+, and 50+ point games just about every week.

It's not really as simple as that. LeBron was barely an NBA rookie just a couple seasons, and Arenas didn't break out until recently. We already knew AI and Kobe could score 30+ ppg, that's no surprise. The league has much better perimeter players than a few years ago. Arenas, Wade, etc. would have seasons just like this 2-3 years ago.