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Sharing the Rock, PG’s, Determining the GOAT Dimer.

Picture this coach. Your team is down a point in crucial game 7 playoff match-up with a hated rival squad.  There’s 14 left on the clock and the PG is trotting the ball down the court for one final play.  The opponents center is weak on the hedge and the coach knows the defenses scheme is to switch.  The wings clear out to the corners, your PF stands wide on the baseline.  A high P&R is the call.  Your center can hit the pop, but he’s sly, wiry, and quick on the roll.  Your team has been hitting the open mid-range shot on the pick pretty effectively all night.  The defense doesn’t have an answer and will most likely be reactive to the play, and as we all know, that split second of confusion is where the play happens.  The pick comes, your PG hesitates for the perfect moment it’s set, the 5 plants his feet facing the bench.  Your mighty floor general makes his move, rubbing his left shoulder against the pick setters right forearm leaving no room for the defender to dodge.  The defense, predictably, is looking to switch. The center makes his move towards the basket, he’s rolling.  Your PG breaks northeast, there’s a lane.  Now here’s where my debate begins.

The conversation on the greatest passer of all time is a multifaceted debate.  In the end it comes down to what you like to see.  I grew up believing you make the smart pass, the efficient pass, the one that gets the ball where it’s supposed to be, without risking accuracy.  This sets up the debate. 

The System passer vs. The Flashy passer.

I don’t think you can pick the greatest passer without taking into account these two vastly different approaches to making a play.  As I mentioned, it comes down to preference.  

Let’s take a look at my type of PG, and that’s the System Passer. This is type that makes plays systematically (thanks Captain Obvious). To give a clear picture of what I call a System Passer, let’s look at a few examples.  I’m looking at John Stockton, Cousy, Isiah Thomas, and Chris Paul.  A few lesser known guys, Scott Skiles (I’m a Magic fan and watched this guy play as a kid), Mark Jackson, Kevin Johnson (my guy), Rod Strickland.  I’m not saying these dudes NEVER made a flashy pass, they were more apt to make the efficient pass in a given situation.  You knew, without question, they were going to hit their guy in the best possible spot, leaving him the highest probability to score the bucket.  You’re comfortable with the minimized chances of error with the ball in these guys hands.

Now let’s look at the Flashy Passers.  I’m thinking of Magic, Pistol, J-Will, GP, and Celtics Rondo.  Guys today like Rubio and Teodosic have those elements of showmanship.  Watching any of these guys is a practice of hope.  Hoping that their flair for the dramatic and entertaining dish hits their guy in the mittens. You know certainly well it could just as easily break bad.  When they do succeed, oh hell is it pretty. The marriage of efficiency and beauty in perfect harmony. These are the magicians, they see things without having to use their eyes, it’s just plain intuition and sorcery. 

Now we have to look at the hybrids.  It gets a little grey here, seeing that depending on just how far on the scale you think they sway, you could brand most great passers a hybrid.  My example of a blend, a hybrid of system and flashy guys are Steve Nash and Jason Kidd.  Both will make the smart pass when it’s necessary, and, both will flip you a no look dime when they see the opportunity.  I absolutely loved watching these two play the game. I’m taking either one to run 99% of my offense, on a coin flip, doesn’t matter, I’m good with each guy.  Nash had a way of watching the play develop.  Playing within the flow of the 7 seconds scheme, hitting his man dependent on where, when, and how his teammate moved within the play.  If he’s conducting an orchestra, you’re free to improv as you wish.  When it’s time to bring it all together, Nash will time your re-entry into the crescendo like a master.  J Kidd is more the structured maestro. He’s telling his guys to be where he expects them to be, and I’ll hit you with the epic, grand, and final note at the time it’s supposed to happen.  Nash is Jazz, Kidd is Classical.  

For my money, I’m taking John Stockton to make the game wining dish.  I see a picture perfect pocket pass that splits the defenders at the ideal angle and speed. Nobody commanded the bounce pass like #12.  NOBODY.  It may not make it on anyone’s top 10 assists of the year, but it’ll damn sure be right where it’s supposed to be. Let’s just hope it’s not Ostertag on the receiving end, that changes EVERYTHING!  Who’s running your play?

P.S.  Guys I left out that I recognize as masters, Big O, Tiny Archibald, Mo Cheeks, Prime Penny, Lenny Wilkins, Mark Price, Tim Hardaway, The Logo, and many more

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The Lavar Effect

I’m not sure if I’m selling out or if I’m just desperate to talk about a particular person that has seemed to hang his awkward presence over the NBA like Roy Moore hanging mistletoe in an all girls High School.  The polarizing Mr. Lavar Ball.  This goes against everything in my blood to be yet another voice complaining about the attention this guy gets, whilst writing the official first post of my soon to be failing NBAFanatical blog and Twitter Feed. #NBAFanatical.

I have a theory about Lavar Ball. When I say theory, I mean a truth.  A theory isn’t always just an educated speculation.  For example, take the theory of Gravity, it’s not a theory anymore, it’s just a truth.  My point, Lavar Ball’s presence in the infancy of Lonzo’s career had an immensely positive impact on his son as a player, a brand, and a product.  Lavar Ball’s presence in the toddler stage of Lonzo’s career is having the reciprocal effect on his son as player, a brand, and a product. Lavar Ball’s presence in every stage moving forward will have a devastatingly negative effect on his son as player, a brand, and a product.

Let’s be honest, Lonzo was selected #2 in this years draft based on much more than his ability to “help” the Lakers win games.  He possessed a few undeniable qualities.  He has talent, he has social presence, he’s from L.A., and Magic Johnson.  Magic needed to do the L.A. thing.  If the NBA season was a TV series, Lonzo was a guaranteed scene stealing, hashtag orgasm inducing dream in the opening episode.  Hollywood wanted him, Showtime wanted him.  Magic knows this town, Magic knew he had to make this pick. 

Imagine Lonzo Ball anywhere else.  Lavar made it so no other team could reasonably draft him without fearing he’d eventually end up in L.A. for minimal return knowing how badly his DAD wanted him there.  The Lakers would have all the leverage.  Lonzo could be learning the game as a member of The Process right now.  Lonzo, Simmons, Embiid.  The ball movement.  Redick and Covington spotting up.  Young, talented, athletic, all learning and winning together.  That’s the team I��d like to watch.

Truthfully though, Philly would have beaten up Lonzo so horrifically it’d made Pat Beverley say “DAMN MAN, YA’LL ROUGHED HIM UP!”.  I don’t see Lavar making out of the tunnel after criticizing Philly coaches and/or players for not catering to Lonzo enough, without getting his ass whooped, Philly Style.  Like I said, he HAD to go to L.A.

So here’s my buzzer beater.  In the NBA, I want to see greatness.  It’s my sport of choice for nearly 30 years, I love watching the game progress as new legends enter the league and old legends leave it behind.  I want to like Lonzo Ball.  I would root for the guy to overcome all the negativity and become the next Laker Legend.  I see a Jason Kidd ceiling and a Shaun Livingston (pre-injury) floor for him.  I JUST CAN”T!  Lavar Ball is strangling the league and attempting to exploit the sports fans tendency to “Believe the Hype”.  And you know what Public Enemy said don’t you?  Lonzo’s support has been divided into those that can stand Lavar, and those that can’t.  That’s not fair for his son. He’s doing Lonzo an injustice by not allowing him to earn fans with his honesty, humble words, and team first attitude.  All things I can get behind.  Unfortunately, Lavar is making it so I can’t root for his son, call me shallow, it’s just The Lavar Effect. 

P.S.  If you happen to enjoy or despise my first blog post, please find your way to my twitter feed and follow me. @NBAFanatical