Post by daglazer on Sept 8, 2009 13:20:31 GMT -5
There are a few basketball thoughts about players that I think holds up over time. If I were GM, these are some things that would guide me.
1. Don't draft fat guys. The average player does not suddenly get in shape in the NBA. He might get leaner, but a fat guy is most likely going to stay a fat guy. See, Eddie Curry, Oliver Miller, Mike Sweetney, et al. Fat guys don't win games because they get tired faster and are more prone to fouling.
2. You can't teach speed. Basketball is a game where speed and quickness matter a lot. A really fast player creates mismatches.
3. You can't teach height. A quality big is more important than a quality wing. The key here is quality. The Lakers won because they had Bynum, Gasol and Odom on their front line. That is three quality bigs who were all 6'11". It is tough to beat a big and talented front line.
4. Height is overrated in the backcourt. With the new rules permitting zones and double teams, a tall guard is not a big advantage unless he is also very fast (see, Kobe). Quickness matter more because the quick guards are better able to keep their opponents in front of them on defense.
5. Blocking shots is underrated. The Knicks have a horrible defense because there is no shot blocker. Anybody who plays ball knows that you feel more relaxed when shooting if you are not worried that someone is going to block your shot. Conversely, a shot blocker changes your approach on offense. I can have a team of mediocre perimeter defenders and one shot blocker and do better defensively than a team of quality perimeter defenders, but no shot blocker.
6. Back to the basket post players take longer to develop. Being able to make a quality move, create separation and finish with two or more players harassing you is a lot harder than shooting a jump shot. Having even one good move takes a lot of time and practice. A decent post player needs two and a quality post player has at least 4 to 5 moves. A great one has at least two go-to moves and about 10 moves. However, these skills do not develop if the player has lousy footwork. Either way, patience is required.
7. If a player has lousy footwork entering the NBA, he will never be a proficient player on offense. In the NBA, you can improve your jump shot, your ball handling and your defense. You can learn basic post moves, but you will never be good without good footwork. Footwork is not something that is typically worked on in the NBA during the season.
8. The system matters. The superstars can play in any system and play well. The remaining 95% of the players have weaknesses that require a fit for them to excel. If you have a coach with a certain type of system, you need players who will fit that system. The triangle offense requires good jump shooters and players who can pass and move well without the ball. It is not dependent on great dribblers. Pat Riley's offense has usually been dependent on a strong post presence to create space for his ball handlers on the perimeter.
Mike D'Antoni relies on players who are good passers, can move without the ball and can run the pick and roll. It also accentuates good shooters. Defensive skills are secondary. David Lee is a good fit because he is a good passer who excels at the pick and roll. Steve Nash was a great fit. Eddy Curry is likely to be a lousy fit.
9. Avoid tweener types when drafting in the lottery. In the lottery, you should also seek out an athlete who fits the proper size requirements for his projected position. The tweeners never become superstars and you should look for superstars in the lottery, unless.....
10. If you have a high pick in a bad draft, go for the role players. Weak drafts frequently will have a lot of quality, but flawed players. In this scenario, you look for the player who can fill a specific role. Jordan Hill is not a star and probably will never be a star, but he should be able to rebound and block shots, plus hit a jump shot. He should be a solid 4 in the NBA. Surround him with quality talent and he is an asset. Expect more than that, and he will disappoint. Toney Douglas is another role player. He is a great defensive player. He is not going to be a great scorer and he is not going to be a flashy passer. However, he could easily develop into a Chris Childs/Charlie Ward type role player who can hit the open shot while providing steady play at the point.
Those are a few basketball thoughts now that the summer is unofficially over.
1. Don't draft fat guys. The average player does not suddenly get in shape in the NBA. He might get leaner, but a fat guy is most likely going to stay a fat guy. See, Eddie Curry, Oliver Miller, Mike Sweetney, et al. Fat guys don't win games because they get tired faster and are more prone to fouling.
2. You can't teach speed. Basketball is a game where speed and quickness matter a lot. A really fast player creates mismatches.
3. You can't teach height. A quality big is more important than a quality wing. The key here is quality. The Lakers won because they had Bynum, Gasol and Odom on their front line. That is three quality bigs who were all 6'11". It is tough to beat a big and talented front line.
4. Height is overrated in the backcourt. With the new rules permitting zones and double teams, a tall guard is not a big advantage unless he is also very fast (see, Kobe). Quickness matter more because the quick guards are better able to keep their opponents in front of them on defense.
5. Blocking shots is underrated. The Knicks have a horrible defense because there is no shot blocker. Anybody who plays ball knows that you feel more relaxed when shooting if you are not worried that someone is going to block your shot. Conversely, a shot blocker changes your approach on offense. I can have a team of mediocre perimeter defenders and one shot blocker and do better defensively than a team of quality perimeter defenders, but no shot blocker.
6. Back to the basket post players take longer to develop. Being able to make a quality move, create separation and finish with two or more players harassing you is a lot harder than shooting a jump shot. Having even one good move takes a lot of time and practice. A decent post player needs two and a quality post player has at least 4 to 5 moves. A great one has at least two go-to moves and about 10 moves. However, these skills do not develop if the player has lousy footwork. Either way, patience is required.
7. If a player has lousy footwork entering the NBA, he will never be a proficient player on offense. In the NBA, you can improve your jump shot, your ball handling and your defense. You can learn basic post moves, but you will never be good without good footwork. Footwork is not something that is typically worked on in the NBA during the season.
8. The system matters. The superstars can play in any system and play well. The remaining 95% of the players have weaknesses that require a fit for them to excel. If you have a coach with a certain type of system, you need players who will fit that system. The triangle offense requires good jump shooters and players who can pass and move well without the ball. It is not dependent on great dribblers. Pat Riley's offense has usually been dependent on a strong post presence to create space for his ball handlers on the perimeter.
Mike D'Antoni relies on players who are good passers, can move without the ball and can run the pick and roll. It also accentuates good shooters. Defensive skills are secondary. David Lee is a good fit because he is a good passer who excels at the pick and roll. Steve Nash was a great fit. Eddy Curry is likely to be a lousy fit.
9. Avoid tweener types when drafting in the lottery. In the lottery, you should also seek out an athlete who fits the proper size requirements for his projected position. The tweeners never become superstars and you should look for superstars in the lottery, unless.....
10. If you have a high pick in a bad draft, go for the role players. Weak drafts frequently will have a lot of quality, but flawed players. In this scenario, you look for the player who can fill a specific role. Jordan Hill is not a star and probably will never be a star, but he should be able to rebound and block shots, plus hit a jump shot. He should be a solid 4 in the NBA. Surround him with quality talent and he is an asset. Expect more than that, and he will disappoint. Toney Douglas is another role player. He is a great defensive player. He is not going to be a great scorer and he is not going to be a flashy passer. However, he could easily develop into a Chris Childs/Charlie Ward type role player who can hit the open shot while providing steady play at the point.
Those are a few basketball thoughts now that the summer is unofficially over.
