What Makes You A Basketball Expert

[THE HCP]

I could be the most knowledgeable basketball mind ever but I'd never get a chance to actually prove it.

Good point, is this the reason things get so heated on here you think? This is the battle ground where some choose to prove their knowledge? So much of the, "I'm right and you're wrong!"?

 

[THE HCP]

All the above. Playing the game, even if it is just for fun helps you learn strategies and gives you a sense of just how spectacular some of these guys are. Watching enough basketball is certainly helpful. I've watched every Blazer game since they've all been on TV. That alone makes me pretty knowledgeable about them like most others in here. Studying the game is great but it doesn't do much if you don't know what to look for.

I'm with you, I think WATCHING the game instead of just reading about it is huge. I'm also of the mind that the eye test outweighs the stats frequently.

 

[Tince]

So you know more than everyone on the forum?

I think the odds would be very slim, but I guess I've never given it any thought because I'm not sure it matters. Do you disagree that someone who watches only one team would be at a disadvantage in evaluating how the Blazer roster compares to the rest of the league?

Who are your top 5 most knowledgable posters?

 

[THE HCP]

No one would ever get hired off the streets with no coaching experience so yeah connections are everything.

I know Chad Buchanan and Tom Penn were friends with Kevin Pritchard and that's how they got their jobs.

Coach Nate had one of his college coaches on his staff for a couple seasons and Coach cheeks had a childhood friend. Man, they lucked into those jobs for sure.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Just had a great conversation on the plane with Assistant Coach John Mccullough. He asked how I got into the business and then I asked him. He told me his story as a college player and as a pro before he got into coaching. I would consider him an old school Xs and Os coach as opposed to an analytics type. I don't think you can get a coaching job and stay in the league without having tons of hoop knowledge. But you also have to have opportunities right?
What if you are a childhood friend of somebody who grew up a coach and he gets you a job on his staff. Can you obtain knowledge by osmosis? (I had to look that up)
Do you naturally getting smarter about the game by being in coaches meetings and clinics.....one would hope.
What do you think?

I think people, all have different experiences, some are naturally gifted at certain things, and people all learn differently too. Practicing, studying, playing, experience, camps and the like can all help. Some people are just naturally really intelligent at certain things.

Its a little like being a parent, each kid is different, each kids needs to be rewarded, or disciplined in different ways for it to be effective.

Some NBA players are there because their great athletes even if they couldnt throw a basketball into a basket from more then like 5 feet. Some guys are able to stay in the NBA because their crafty, and smart and they’re just thinking basketball on a different level.

So I guess my point is there are a lot of ways to gain basketball knowledge and some will be more effective for an individual than others.

Now the thing is, how do we judge where a player or coach or a fan is at in regards to their BBIQ, and that can be tricky, no doubt about that.

 

[hoopsjock]

Good point, is this the reason things get so heated on here you think. This is the battle ground where some choose to prove their knowledge? So much of the, "I'm right and you're wrong!"?

I'm not sure. I get in arguments on here but I've never once thought that I needed to prove something on here so I'm probably not the best to answer that question.

 

[wizenheimer]

Sometimes I forgot that this forum has adults posting.

it's a forum of almost all guys talking about sports...and one poster's wife. I question if guys actually mature to the point of being adult. I haven't and I'm in the middle of my sixth decade. Sometimes people confuse me with being adult, but that's usually when I'm quiet from being tired from not sleeping well, and that's usually from having woken up in the middle of the night having to piss like a racehorse. That's because in the middle of your 6th decade you don't have an adult bladder anymore. You younger guys will know what I'm talking about sooner or later

 

[THE HCP]

Who are your top 5 most knowledgable posters?

See this isn't what I was going for. I think that depends on HOW you judge basketball IQ. Thats what I was trying to get across. Some guy who knows the cap back and fourth but never watches a game, does he know more? Or somebody who knows every players efficiency rating, but never watches anybody but the Blazers?

 

[hoopsjock]

I'm with you, I think WATCHING the game instead of just reading about it is huge. I'm also of the mind that the eye test outweighs the stats frequently.

Stats aren't everything but it's nice when they back up what you think by the eye test.

If they counter what your eyes are telling you then maybe you can look into why the stats don't match.

The problem is you can use certain stats to prove or disprove a point but it doesn't tell the whole story all the time.

 

[BonesJones]

You do ask for our attention for your vidcast.

And I do very much enjoy your youtube channel.

Thanks, but Id never do such a thing!

 

[BonesJones]

I think the odds would be very slim, but I guess I've never given it any thought because I'm not sure it matters. Do you disagree that someone who watches only one team would be at a disadvantage in evaluating how the Blazer roster compares to the rest of the league?

Who are your top 5 most knowledgable posters?

I do disagree. It takes consistently watching a team game in and game out to get a good feel of their sets, the results of specific sets, specific reasons why those sets work and fail, how their defensive rotations are in general and in specific situations, how certain details like this may affect a players overall confidence and performance, etc... That's just a few of many details that are hard to pick up on unless you constantly watch a team.

 

[BonesJones]

Stats aren't everything but it's nice when they back up what you think by the eye test.

If they counter what your eyes are telling you then maybe you can look into why the stats don't match.

The problem is you can use certain stats to prove or disprove a point but it doesn't tell the whole story all the time.

Basically, context matters (think Westbrook).

 

[riverman]

Most people are here to complete their community service or have just struck out completely on dating apps

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

For a player I tend to judge basketball IQ like this.
1. Do they appear to be in the right place on offense. Making the right reads, cuts, do they bring the ball down on a rebound when they should be going up on a rebound, things like that.

2. Defensively sort of similar do they know the opponent. Do they take smart risks, do they commit bad fouls, do they lose sight of their man while ball watching, do they play angles well. Do they rotate well.


Obviously no player gets it right all the time.

 

[THE HCP]

Stats aren't everything but it's nice when they back up what you think by the eye test.

If they counter what your eyes are telling you then maybe you can look into why the stats don't match.

The problem is you can use certain stats to prove or disprove a point but it doesn't tell the whole story all the time.

No doubt using your eyes and stats would be the best way to break the game down. I just don't have the time to study. Just like in school.

 

[THE HCP]

For a player I tend to judge basketball IQ like this.
1. Do they appear to be in the right place on offense. Making the right reads, cuts, do they bring the ball down on a rebound when they should be going up on a rebound, things like that.

2. Defensively sort of similar do they know the opponent. Do they take smart risks, do they commit bad fouls, do they lose sight of their man while ball watching, do they play angles well. Do they rotate well.


Obviously no player gets it right all the time.

I believe there are posters on here with WAAAAAAY more basketball IQ than a lot NBA players! I have had many guys tell me they don't even watch NBA games.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

For a coach:
I look at it like this.

What do the sets look like, how often are they getting GOOD shots. Are they making smart adjustments to what the other teams are trying to do. Are they putting their players in a place they can succeed (does the talent and scheme match). Are they flexible with trying new things when their system isnt working on a given night.

 

[BonesJones]

I believe there are posters on here with WAAAAAAY more basketball IQ than a lot NBA players! I have had many guys tell me they don't even watch NBA games.

I appreciate the compliment!

 

[riverman]

We lost a lot of talent around here...where's Schilly?

 

[BonesJones]

For a coach:
I look at it like this.

What do the sets look like, how often are they getting GOOD shots. Are they making smart adjustments to what the other teams are trying to do. Are they putting their players in a place they can succeed (does the talent and scheme match). Are they flexible with trying new things when their system isnt working on a given night.

Also: rotations. Are they playing the right guys? What's their relationship like with players? Do they give them enough freedom to be the best versions of themselves while still holding them accountable? Are they able to exploit certain mismatches efficiently through their offensive structure?

 

[riverman]

I believe there are posters on here with WAAAAAAY more basketball IQ than a lot NBA players! I have had many guys tell me they don't even watch NBA games.

I'd like to thank the academy and google

 

[riverman]

If basketball is making you less money than a fast food job, you're probably not that clever

Coach Nate had one of his college coaches on his staff for a couple seasons and Coach cheeks had a childhood friend. Man, they lucked into those jobs for sure.

Buck Williams sort of lucked into a role for a millisecond until they realized coaching wasn't his strong suit

 

[THE HCP]

We lost a lot of talent around here...where's Schilly?

He still checks in. Says he reads.

 

[riverman]

He still checks in. Says he reads.

One of my favorite posters ever....dude made quality posts

 

[hoopsjock]

When I was in high school I was a big man but knew all the plays from every position. I could even run the offense from the point if needed. When one of our wings went down for the season I switched over to his spot the rest of the year.

I'm not saying this to prove my knowledge but when you see players that can't even remember plays for one position it shows their lack of BBIQ. The smart players not only know where they are supposed to be but where everyone on the floor should be too.

There isn't really a test for this though. It's the famous phrase "you know it when you see it!"

 

[riverman]

I don't care if it's basketball, music or whatever when you play, watch and enjoy anything for over half a century you're going to pick up on some shit....

 

[THE HCP]

I don't care if it's basketball, music or whatever when you play, watch and enjoy anything for over half a century you're going to pick up on some shit....

I’ve jerked off for at least 40 years and haven’t gotten better!

 

[riverman]

I’ve jerked off for at least 40 years and haven’t gotten better!

you're grippin' too hard...got to get those harmonics going.

 

[e_blazer]

I’ve jerked off for at least 40 years and haven’t gotten better!

This explains why you’re blind enough to be a Laker fan.

 

[Tince]

See this isn't what I was going for. I think that depends on HOW you judge basketball IQ. Thats what I was trying to get across. Some guy who knows the cap back and fourth but never watches a game, does he know more? Or somebody who knows every players efficiency rating, but never watches anybody but the Blazers?

Totally agree!