Jordan/Olajuwon/Magic

[Scott McGuire]

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

[Murphy3]

Odd to classify Dirk in the Olajuwon group... He's one of those guys that can effectively create scoring opportunities off the dribble and in the high post. His versatility is what made him into an MVP and a Finals MVP. He's more than a one dimensional player. He's obviously also self reliant considering his successes post Nash and pre Kidd.

[Scott McGuire]

Originally Posted by Murphy3

Odd to classify Dirk in the Olajuwon group... He's one of those guys that can effectively create scoring opportunities off the dribble and in the high post. His versatility is what made him into an MVP and a Finals MVP. He's more than a one dimensional player. He's obviously also self reliant considering his successes post Nash and pre Kidd.

Dirk is always hard to classify. The thing that puts him in the Olajuwon group is that I consider him the best "post" player in the whole league. Usually people in that group need the ball real close to the basket. Since Dirk can get the ball all the way past the elbow he only needs a basic point guard to deliver the ball where he needs it. He is more self reliant than any true "low post" player.

It wasn't until post-Nash that Dirk developed his "post" game. It then it wasn't until after the Warriors series that he started to perfect the craft.

Love and Durant are really in that same spot right now. They are both great shooters with great size, but without a "post" game. Usually a player develops a skill out of need and personal drive. Durant has the personal drive, but with Westbrook and Harden he doesn't "need" it. Love is so consumed by rebounding and shooting 3s that he hasn't developed some go to moves.

I tried to limit the "types" to 3.

About the Mavericks we really need to improve our Jordan/Magic play.
2011-2012
Jordan: Terry, Carter, West, Roddy
Magic: Kidd
SO far for 2012-2013
Jordan: Carter, Roddy
Magic: Nothing