Dallas-Mavs.com Forums - View Single Post

Scott McGuire · 06-07-2012, 09:12 AM

The beauty of Basketball isn’t PER or Win Shares or FG%, but as we’ve delved into learning more about the game we love there seems to be a lot of beauty in the efficiency with which some players help their teams score. (This is just an offensive discussion)

Most of the times it can be simply measured by the eye test and then confirmed by stats.

*When you watch Duncan about to release a shot while going backboard
*When you saw Jordan pull up for a jumper at the end of a playoff game
*When you see Nash throw a perfect pass to a wide open 3pt shooter
*Even when you saw Rasheed Wallace doing his midpost game back in 2004.

When the other team has a guy who can create points at a high rate we all cringe as they drive the lane, pull up for a shot or make the perfect pass.

What I want to do is classify the 3 types of players that can “Efficiently make points on command”. Almost every team tries to exploit each “type” to some degree or another. I think a Championship needs to be great in at least 2 of them. I’m going to name the 3 “types” after the player I think is the standard from which all that type aspires to be like.

The Jordan - Creates his own shot through speed/elusiveness and a good handle
Top Characteristics:
A) Gets to free throw consistently
Can shoot out to at least long 2s
This is the most self-reliant type

The Olajuwon - Scores points in iso with consistent unstoppable “post” moves
Top Characteristics:
A) Can find open shooters when double/triple teamed
B) Needs to hit enough FTs to keep people honest
Usually needs someone to get him the ball when he’s in position

The Magic - Great handle and court vision to set up teammates
Top Characteristics:
A) Uses speed/elusiveness to disrupt the defense and create openings for teammates
B) Needs to be able to either shoot jumpers or finish at the rim. If both then superstar
C) Needs to have shooter to pass to

Let’s see who belongs in each category. This doesn’t mean they are as good as the namesake. I put several in each category. I wasn’t trying to put them in a particular order.

Jordans-
Kobe, Wade, Durant, Pierce, Ginobili, Harden, Gay, Curry, Melo

Olajuwons-
Dirk, Aldridge, Howard, Bynum, Jefferson, Randolph, Love, Gasol, Duncan

Magics-
LeBron, CP3, Nash, Rondo, Deron, Parker, Rubio, Westbrook, Lawson, Irving, Wall, Rose

06-07-2012, 09:12 AM	#1
Scott McGuire Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 288	Jordan/Olajuwon/Magic The beauty of Basketball isn’t PER or Win Shares or FG%, but as we’ve delved into learning more about the game we love there seems to be a lot of beauty in the efficiency with which some players help their teams score. (This is just an offensive discussion) Most of the times it can be simply measured by the eye test and then confirmed by stats. When you watch Duncan about to release a shot while going backboard When you saw Jordan pull up for a jumper at the end of a playoff game When you see Nash throw a perfect pass to a wide open 3pt shooter Even when you saw Rasheed Wallace doing his midpost game back in 2004. When the other team has a guy who can create points at a high rate we all cringe as they drive the lane, pull up for a shot or make the perfect pass. What I want to do is classify the 3 types of players that can “Efficiently make points on command”. Almost every team tries to exploit each “type” to some degree or another. I think a Championship needs to be great in at least 2 of them. I’m going to name the 3 “types” after the player I think is the standard from which all that type aspires to be like. The Jordan - Creates his own shot through speed/elusiveness and a good handle Top Characteristics: A) Gets to free throw consistently Can shoot out to at least long 2s This is the most self-reliant type The Olajuwon - Scores points in iso with consistent unstoppable “post” moves Top Characteristics: A) Can find open shooters when double/triple teamed B) Needs to hit enough FTs to keep people honest Usually needs someone to get him the ball when he’s in position The Magic - Great handle and court vision to set up teammates Top Characteristics: A) Uses speed/elusiveness to disrupt the defense and create openings for teammates B) Needs to be able to either shoot jumpers or finish at the rim. If both then superstar C) Needs to have shooter to pass to Let’s see who belongs in each category. This doesn’t mean they are as good as the namesake. I put several in each category. I wasn’t trying to put them in a particular order. Jordans- Kobe, Wade, Durant, Pierce, Ginobili, Harden, Gay, Curry, Melo Olajuwons- Dirk, Aldridge, Howard, Bynum, Jefferson, Randolph, Love, Gasol, Duncan Magics- LeBron, CP3, Nash, Rondo, Deron, Parker, Rubio, Westbrook, Lawson, Irving, Wall, Rose __________________ "Ager walks up to the stage in a triple-breasted, oversized beige suit, goes to shake hands with Stern and immediately gets whistled for a foul on Dwyane Wade." (Bill Simmons)