Prior to 1973, there were far more foul shot attempts, even adjusted by pace, than the league today does. In 1973, the number of field goal attempts decreased over 20 per cent. There it stayed for over 30 years until, a couple of years ago, the foul shot attempts went back up to almost their exact same former place.

Was it a conscious decision made by the league? Wilt's retirement?

I had read some 7 or 8 years ago that the nba themselves cam to a decision to vut out so many freethrows because it was slowing down the game and making it very unatteactive. Like the introduction of the shot clock, it was a move to make the game more pleasant to see thus leading to more fan interest. I could be wrong so check up on it but that could be what happened

Oh silly me, how could I forget, it was the elimination of the 3 for 2 and 2 for 1, IE back then teams had 3 shots to make 2 free throws and 2 shots to make 1. Also, teams got one free throw every foul even if it was a non-shooting foul and they weren't in the penalty

Don't know where you read that but I'll take your word for it since I haven't researched it yet. Maybe it was just the standard of play getting better

History is a b*tch. It proves you wrong when you aren't.

- Me after being proven wrong again.