The Benefits of Acquire Players with Athleticism

Around the league you see teams getting players who are athletic rather from the draft, free agency, or trades.   There are some other teams don't have much, or don't have any players who are athletic in the NBA, and you may hear some team such as the Chicago Bulls for example need to get some athletic players which that statement is indeed true.   So, you are wondering okay what is the point of this article I am about to write about so I am going to tell you what the benefits for team that acquire players who are athletic when they some athleticism to the team.

First, and foremost I have mentioned in my previous article on this blog that I have discussed with someone on twitter from couple weeks ago, or so that I mentioned to him while it's true a team like the Chicago Bulls needs to acquire some athleticism but also it is very important to get a player that are very skilled don't want to end up getting a player who just athletic such as Tyrus Thomas,  Josh Smith, and many more.  Teams have to be very careful acquiring a player who is athletic because not all players that are athletic will blossom again as the names I have mentioned above you don't want players who are just athletic, and nothing else don't want just a flash in the pan you want substance.

Now, there are benefits acquiring players that are athletic that a teams want some athleticism for the team, and there is a good reason for it.  What are those good benefits I am talking about?  What is the good reason for teams looking for players who are athletic?   You may also ask what those players who are athletic can do on the basketball court?  While the players work on their game to improve their skills as a basketball player that can help their team but also players who are athletic got to learn to understand how to use their athleticism as an advantage to help their team.

I am going to tell the benefits of acquiring players who are athletic from both ends on the basketball court offense, and defense.

Benefits for Athletic players on offense
I will start with what the benefits for the players for players who are athletic that can help the team in terms of contribution.  Keep in mind that not all players who are athletic no matter what position they play  some maybe one dimensional, or some other players are not good in a certain area, or aspects to the game which can't use their athletic ability for that certain aspect, or not good in one end.  I will give examples, and discuss briefly about it in a while on this article.

On offense there are players who are athletic have the athletic ability to get in transition for the easy basket.  Now, I know and aware that there are players maybe able to get in transition for easy baskets that are not athletic which is fine in some other levels in basketball such as high school, junior high, recreation leagues but to a degree you may need to find a player that are athletic that can use their athletic ability when they get in transition.   Let me give you the example below this I am going to give you a video from YouTube.

Civic A:

As you played this video above I'm assuming you are aware who is Gerald Green who is a good example of a player who is athletic, and a good shooter.  When you played this video which I believe is only 30 seconds, or so on this video that Deron Williams a point guard for the Nets at the time when he have the ball, and semi push the ball while Gerald Green did his part filling the lane go hard to the basket which in that degree he gets in transition, and use his athletic ability for the alley oop to the dunk the ball for the easy basket.  Reason for that success  you saw on the video because Gerald Green is athletic, and use his athletic ability to finished above the rim when he have to jump high to catch the ball for the alley oop.

Civic A is a good example regarding athletic player getting in transition, and use his athletic ability to get the easy basket.  Have you ever see a player, or players who isn't athletic attempted to get in transition for a fast break to get easy baskets in the NBA? I have  bunch of times, and lot of times they will failed to convert the easy baskets in transition especially when there is a defender, or defenders try to stop the attempted for the fast break because they don't have the athletic ability to finished above the rim.   As of right now I can't find the video to give you the example of a team, or player, or players who isn't athletic enough to finished above the rim failed in transition in the NBA so if you have watched the Chicago Bulls which are a good example for the last two seasons are probably the most nonathletic team which lot of times they failed to convert a basket in transition.

Another benefit, and advantage for an athletic player that can use his athletic ability not just only in transition but also in half court when everything slow down, and not in a fast pace game.  There are ton of players in the NBA use their athletic ability in the half court to contribute on offense there is even some players have to rely lot of their athleticism to do any contribution on offense.  I am going to give you a few examples since there is ton of players who use their athleticism using their athletic ability here is the first example.

Civic B:

Civic B Blake Griffin who is probably one of the most athletic power forwards in the league right now.   If you are new to the NBA, or living under the rock that Blake Griffin rely lot of his athleticism to contribute on the offensive end, and lot of times he will use his strength against the defenders to get to the paint.   As the video above it is the most perfect example of Blake Griffin mostly relying on his athleticism but some point of the video he will use his athleticism, and using his athletic ability for his advantage for himself, and his team.  Keep in mind this video package is basically from the 2016-2017 regular season which was from last season so it isn't that long ago now I am going to post another video regarding Blake Griffin which is a shorter video, and probably a bit better regarding Blake Griffin using his athleticism rather it is in transition, or in half court.

You can see, and if you are familiar with Blake Griffin's game, and see you play bunch of times he rely on his athleticism a lot.  He is not known as a good jump shooter in a pick and pop game, nor known to stretch the floor, and shoot the threes even though in the mid range area he did show a bit of improvement but he still rely on his athleticism.  As you see the second Blake Griffin video he use his athletic ability that benefits not just for him but for also the team that finished above the rim, get in transition for easy baskets, and etc.  Again, as I mentioned before he also use his strength at times when a defender is on him basically he rely his athleticism, and strength.  

The next video is another good example, and another player who is also athletic that use his athletic ability to get into the basket rather it is in half court, or in transition rather it's in traffic, or not.  He played a different position which is a point guard position, and I know you probably know who I am talking about now which I am talking about Russell Westbrook from Oklahoma Thunder. 

Civic C:

On Civic C you see above the video highlight packages on Russell Westbrook shows how he contribute on offense, and even on defense.  But as of right now I am focusing on offense which as you see the video below that Russell Westbrook is one the most athletic point guards in the NBA right now, and as you see he is very exposure when he get above the rim.   He show fearless which I he is not only one of the most competitive player in the league but also the most fearless as well, and he use his athletic ability.

The thing I didn't mention earlier is that players like Russell Westbrook, and even Blake Griffin they are so athletic they use that as advantage in traffic when they get into the paint, or close to the paint, and they succeed because they can use their athletic ability to finished.  Same apply in transition for easy baskets just like Blake Griffin he is the most athletic gifted players around the league even I wish I was athletic like him, or anyone who is athletic for that matter.  The plus side for Russell Westbrook that when he first enter the league he isn't much of a good jump shooter rather mid-range area, or from the three point line but now he shows improvement on those areas.  So, he doesn't really only rely on his athleticism.

There are ton of other players who are athletic which I could give you more video example of those players on the offensive side but I will stop there which I am sure you get the point to this particular topic.  Now, there are other aspect that players don't rely on athleticism on the offensive end such as shooting a jumper, or moving with out the ball to get open looks, set a screen, make a play, making cuts those kind of stuffs you don't have to rely on athleticism on the offensive side.  The next benefit I am going to talk about now is on the defensive side.   

Benefits on athletic players on defense

On the defensive side which base on individual defense, and team defense.   Let's talk about team defense first it is best to have all five players that play five different positions that are athletic, and it will help to have a big man who is athletic, and mobile that can recover quickly.   If those players can stay committed, buy in the coaching philosophy on not just on the offensive scheme but also the defensive scheme can be a very good defensive team.    

If you got that, and plus you got load of players who are athletic it will makes the job much easier in terms of switch when necessary.   Not lot of teams capable of doing that since they don't have the personal for it that can capable of playing defense, and can switch in any position plus recover quickly when needed.    Let me give you a couple of videos to give you the example.

Civic D

The Milwaukee Bucks are a very good example of having the personal since they have the most athletic players in most of their positions.  The video above is basically nearly nine minutes, and the person goes by the name coach Daniel that gives a good defensive observation on the defensive side for the Milwaukee Bucks keep in mind this video is from the 2016-2017 regular season.  I think he did a great job giving his observation on the defensive side as you see the video how the Bucks played a solid defense with strong effort, and played hard defense.   You see how switching, or recover so ease because they got some players who are athletic, and have long wingspan that help at times deflecting the ball to force turnovers, or give the opposing team trouble.     

Keep in mind that they do have some players who are not athletic, nor not known as good defenders that can suffer the team defense players such as Jason Terry, Greg Monroe, and Jabari Parker.  Not only the Milwaukee Bucks have the personal that committed the team defense plus have the athleticism that can switch, and recover quickly another team I am talking about is the defending NBA champions the Golden State Warriors.

Civic E

This is by coach Daniel again which give his observation regarding how the Golden State Warriors played team defense which was against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round playoffs from this past year.   The Golden State Warriors do have some athletic players, and versatile to rotate, recover, and switch when necessary now keep in mind Stephen Curry is not known as a good defender individually but I think he is underrated on team defense which you can hide his individual defense with the personal the team have.   

The Golden State Warriors could get away playing small when needed to which it will even help the switching in all five positions much easier since Zaza Pachulia isn't athletic, nor mobile enough to recover quickly, and it is a mismatch in the opposing team favor if they switch on him.   Which you see lot of times for the Warriors to go small last season, and even in the playoffs including in the 2016-2017 NBA Finals.  There is another good video I want you to check out regarding the Golden State Warriors team defense which is another good observation.
 

Overall on team defense the most important thing is have players stay committed, played hard, and played strong defense.  If you got the personal with athletic players who are also agile, and mobile to quick enough to recover, can rotate, and can switch on all five positions will make jobs much easier, and it is very important in today's NBA.  Now, I have discussed about the benefits on athletic players base on team defense the next thing is base on individual players.  

You can't teach athleticism, and that statement is true.  Not a whole lot of players are not gifted like some other players like not as athletic as the other but some who are not as athletic are solid defenders, or known as solid defenders such as Kirk Hinrich, Matthew Dellavedova, Tony Allen, and etc.   There are some players who are athletic, and use their athletic ability to defend some players are even a three & D type of players such as Trevor Ariza, Courtney Lee, Kent Bazemore, Nicolas Batum, Wilson Chandler, and there are others.  

As you can tell some of the names I mentioned are playing at the wings positions which I have not mention some other players who are athletic are big man that known as a shot blocker that can protect the rim, and use their athletic ability to switch when needed, or rotate.  There are lot of bigs who are athletic, mobile, and are rim protectors such as Rudy Gobert, DeAndre Jordan,  Hassan Whiteside, Gorgui Dieng, and can't forget about Draymond Green who is a powerforward but is athletic, and versatile that can defend all five positions when needed if the switch is necessary, and can rotate plus record quickly.

Now, I don't want you to get the wrong idea that not all athletic bigs can  even they known as a solid defender can't defend the pick and roll action, or can't stay on the guard, or a wing that can cause a bad match up in the opposing team favor.  The pick & roll is probably the most difficult for most bigs to defend there are some bigs can defend the pick & roll well if they are mobile, and athletic Joakim Noah is a good example back in the days before the injuries pile up for him he was a good pick & roll defender that can switch, and defend the guard.   He was also mobile which he is quick enough to recover, rotate, and when necessary switch but once again not all bigs even if they are athletic, nor mobile enough can't defend the pick & roll action. 

Lot of athletic big man that can help that use their athletic ability to become a good help defender blocking shot such as Ibaka, DeAndre Jordan, and Rudy Gobert.   Which all three rely on their athleticism on the defensive end to recover quickly in terms of help defense of course at the same time help defense is matter of timing, and give effort.            

Conclusion

I hope this gives you a better understand, and educated the benefits of acquiring players that are athletic in the NBA that can contribute, and how they contribute from both ends on the basketball court.  Keep in mind getting athetlic players doesn't always mean they turn into gold getting players that are skilled is the most important you just don't want to end getting a player that are just athletic you want a player that are skilled, and understand how to use their athletic ability that can help the team on both ends.        

The Mechanics of Individuals

At the time after I wrote the proper rebuilding plan I tried to think what I should write next which brings me an idea that  sometime last week I was chatting with someone on twitter, and just briefly discussed about shot release.  So, after a short discussion on twitter gives me an idea what to write next on my blog which I titled The Mechanics of Individuals.

Basketball players especially the ones wants to play basketball for a living have to work on the aspect of their game, and hoping they improved so they can contribute for the team if they want to have a long career in the pros.   It is not a easy and is not for everyone to be able to play in the NBA even if there is someone from this world, and there is someone from this world have great work ethics work so hard that doesn't always mean it will translate to the NBA which is possible may not able to make it to the NBA but that doesn't mean that individual should stop working on their game. 

There are lot of players starting day one when they first enter in the NBA not only work on to keep in good shape physically which is a must but also work on the aspect of their game, and looking to improve their game.   The most important is results meaning base on the players performance on the court and how the player contribute to help their team base on team, and individual performance how much improvement the players have progress but as pointed out some others may not progress as the team, and that player are hoping for.  Sometime that player despite a great work ethic maybe not good enough to improve part of the aspect of their game, or not good enough to stay in the league.

Every individuals who is currently, or wants to play in the NBA, or any professional basketball level wants to have a long career there three major important aspects require to have even though the third aspect is debatable which I will discuss that more when I get to that point.   First, let me list those three most important aspects that individuals must require to have.

Three Important Aspects

• Motor
• Skills
• Athleticism

Let me explain  the meaning those three important aspects in basketball.   Motor is probably the number one most important aspect that every individuals  who is serious wants to play basketball for a living have to have a motor.   What that means is this individual have to have heart, passion, and is always ready to go when a coach put that individual on the court, and played once that individual played he have high motor play with energy from both ends on the basketball court.  Do the little things, played hard that kind of stuff you can basically say like a car, or any vehicles once the ignition turns on the motor, and the engine turns on the vehicle is ready to go.   Okay I admit it is not the best analogy I have describe but I am sure you get the picture.

The next important aspects are skills.  Let's face it  in any professional sports, or any sports level for that matter that individual got to have skills to be good, or potentially to be great player.  Now, there are players who maybe not good at certain aspect of basketball game, or don't have any skills but are good in certain aspect of basketball say for example Dennis Rodman who is one of the best rebounder, and a great defender at some point in his career but he is very limited on offense.  I should say liability is probably the better word to use than limited in terms of offense which is what Dennis Rodman is not good at beside those put backs.   Another player is Reggie Evans who is not good at anything else but he is a solid rebounder nothing else but in a long run the organization front office, and coaching staffs will look at the players that may have upside, and most important skills what they are, and what could they become potentially wise if they can reach it.

Athleticism is the third aspect, and is the third aspect that I mentioned earlier is debatable if athleticism is important aspect in basketball, or not.  To me and this is base only my opinion, and views that athleticism is important for any individual that are athletic if that individual have skills which is more important than just being athletic.   However, athleticism can be very important in basketball if they know how to use their athletic ability on offense, and defense.   Look at Lebron James who is a very good example who is the most athletic player in the league right now not only he is just an athletic guy but also he know how to use his ability on offense, and defense not just only he rely on his athleticism but he also rely on his skills.   There are ton of players past, or present are very athletic that are skilled player but some others again past, and present are just athletic but nothing else example players such as Tyrus Thomas, Josh Smith, Stromile Swith, and Darius Miles.  I mentioned this with someone on twitter a week ago that you can't just get a player because he is just athletic but also he have to be very skilled is what the most important, and know how to use his ability.

Now you know the three important aspects regarding base on individuals what they should require to have if they serious about playing basketball for a living.   I should mention and this is very important that two of those three aspects are not teachable meaning those couple aspects I mentioned can't be taught by coaching staffs, nor trainers.   Motor is one of the aspect that can't be taught it is matter of the desire, heart, and passion for that individual to have either that individual doesn't have it, or does have the motor for it.   Another aspect that can't be taught is athleticism no one can't teach any individual to be more athletic especially when they are not as athletic it is by generic, and nature if you are athletic gifted. 

Depend on what skills you talking about in terms of basketball some skills can be taught for example shooting if you want to become a good shooter it is teachable that you can improve your shooting skills. Such as shot release, high arc, or low arc of your shot, and shooting form.  There are some other skills can't be taught like blocking a shot if you are a good shot blocker that great but if you are not it can't be taught to become a better shot blocker which is shot blocker is more of a timely manner, and defensive awareness in terms to become a better shot blocker.  The most important skills to look at is basically look on offense there are players who are offensive liability but have upside to become a good, or even a great offensive player if you look at potentially wise.   How to score a basketball, when to score the basketball, how many different ways to score, how to create your own shot from off the dribble, how to catch and shoot, how to become a spot up shooter, how to become a slasher, and attack the basket.   I could go on and on to score the basketball that is matter of skills, and is teachable. 

While I mentioned three important aspects, and the meaning of those aspects in basketball there are other things I haven't mention, nor mention as much which are very important in basketball they are offensive awareness, defensive awareness, and basketball IQ.   There are players who are current and use to be in the NBA do have low basketball IQ but certain aspect of basketball game they are good at for example players such as Nick Young who have a low basketball IQ but the man can flat out score same apply with JR Smith which both are still playing in the NBA to this day.  But I do think have a high basketball IQ is very important to have you got to want smart players you may have the talent in the world but having a talent with high basketball IQ is always a big plus.   Awareness on both offense and defense is very important got to know your surroundings, and know what you need to do on both ends where to go, and when.   If you have poor awareness on either offense, defense, or both you going to have issue as a player, and could potentially cost your team to lose games with your poor awareness on one end, or both ends on the basketball court. 

The last two things I want to talk about is defense, and rebounding which there are two most important things in basketball if you want a team to win games.   The only thing you can teach to become a better rebounder no matter what size you are is teach how to box your man out but that is basketball 101 it is one of the most basic fundamentals in basketball.   I am not the tallest person, and I probably won't get 10 rebounds, or even 8 rebounds but I could box my man out hopefully I can get a rebound, or two maybe help my teammates to get a rebound.  I have see guards in the NBA are a solid rebounders such as Rajon Rondo, Kyle Lowry, Bonzi Wells, and just to name a few.   Other then teach someone how to box your man out is basically have a good timing, instinct, and luck to rebound the basketball you just don't know where the ball goes if someone missed a shot. 

The second thing I want to talk about is defense.   How to become a better defender?  To my knowledge, and the way if I want to teach someone how to play defense to become at least above average defender I will say the most important things is who you are guarding, know your personal, and move your feet.   Those are the three important things to look at to become a better defender which is base on individual defense as for team defense know when to help, know when to switch, and the most important is communication which is probably I should mention the first thing when I first mention team defense.  Without communication on defense you don't know when the screen is coming, don't know when to switch, when to help that kind of stuff it is better to communicate your teammates, and same goes with your teammates to help each other on defense.