Athleticism in the NBA
The 2009 NBA Draft is a few days away (June 25); and, NBA teams are compiling information to help make the decisions on which player is the best fit for their particular club. As with every draft, teams are looking for players with upside and potential which is fine; but, one point I'm tired of being written and discussed is a player's athleticism.
Clearly, anyone who watches basketball knows an athletic ball player when they see one. Similarly, it's clear which players lack athleticism. However, my question is simple: can he play basketball?
The NBA is filled with guys who are great athletes. Big deal. How many of those great athletes can do nothing more than dunk the basketball? How many of those great athletes rely on their athleticism to carry them and refuse to work on their game rather than improve their weaknesses in the off-season? How many of those great athletes launch bricks from the free throw line?
The NBA is littered with guys who are fantastic athletes who get replaced by guys who, imagine this, actually have skills.
Kobe Bryant is an amazing athlete; but, Kobe is much more than a great athlete because he works his butt off and adds to his game year in and year out.
Larry Bird wasn't a great athlete. Magic Johnson wasn't a great athlete. Tim Duncan isn't a great athlete. However, all three of those "non-athletes" are Hall of Fame basketball players.
All-Stars are players who more than simply athletic. They have skills, too.
Obviously, in an ideal world, teams would love to have players who are athletic and skilled; but, far too often teams get caught choosing the best athlete instead of the best player.
Personally, I don't like players who can jump out of the gym or fly down the court but do little else to win ball games.
When teams make their draft selections this Thursday, hopefully, they'll choose players who are willing to improve every day rather than choose players who are merely athletic.
Clearly, anyone who watches basketball knows an athletic ball player when they see one. Similarly, it's clear which players lack athleticism. However, my question is simple: can he play basketball?
The NBA is filled with guys who are great athletes. Big deal. How many of those great athletes can do nothing more than dunk the basketball? How many of those great athletes rely on their athleticism to carry them and refuse to work on their game rather than improve their weaknesses in the off-season? How many of those great athletes launch bricks from the free throw line?
The NBA is littered with guys who are fantastic athletes who get replaced by guys who, imagine this, actually have skills.
Kobe Bryant is an amazing athlete; but, Kobe is much more than a great athlete because he works his butt off and adds to his game year in and year out.
Larry Bird wasn't a great athlete. Magic Johnson wasn't a great athlete. Tim Duncan isn't a great athlete. However, all three of those "non-athletes" are Hall of Fame basketball players.
All-Stars are players who more than simply athletic. They have skills, too.
Obviously, in an ideal world, teams would love to have players who are athletic and skilled; but, far too often teams get caught choosing the best athlete instead of the best player.
Personally, I don't like players who can jump out of the gym or fly down the court but do little else to win ball games.
When teams make their draft selections this Thursday, hopefully, they'll choose players who are willing to improve every day rather than choose players who are merely athletic.
posted by Kris Gardner @ 6:40 PM
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