Posts (page 2)

By:   Dan Barto,  Director of Player Development IMG Basketball Academy and The PTC

The NBA and NCAA have made it clear that they are going to push harder in the direction of character filtration processes to reinvent the image of players, strengthen the brand, and controlling competitiveness between franchises. 

Is it fair?  Probably not by today's standards but let's look at the concept of an entrance exam.  Unlike the Wonderlic test, this will determine a player's basketball IQ, love for the game, basketball-specific creativity, and work threshold.   

The idea consists of 4 sections in which two of the first three sections will count as well as section four for a total score of 1200 points.  Once the test is graded only the score will be revealed much like the SAT.  

Part One:  The History of the NBA (400 points)

Like Jeopardy, the players will have a couple of books with tons of facts and statistics.  The questions will be multiple-choice with the all of the above/none of the above option on every question.  Though simplistic in theory, it would be a great way to judge the all important "Love for the Game."

Part Two:  Short Answer Breakdown (400 points)

This is a short answer section in which the players will be able to answer things ranging from situational basketball to expectation of the differences in rules and style of play in the NBA versus one another, and college and international.

Part Three:  Film Breakdown (400 points)

Players will have written situations explaining the dynamics surrounding the upcoming film piece.  The players will watch the film piece and then answer the 5 questions in written form that relate to each film piece.  There will be a total of 4 film pieces worth 100 points each.  The questions will have a human scorer with a basketball background grade based on 20 points.

Part Four:  Future Predictions (400 points)

The last section of the test will ask the players to explain the career route and the reasons associated with their success.  The players will be urged to express creativity and ability to organization for this portion.  This section is the most rigorous and important section.

As mentioned in my last blog, the NBA Early Age and Draft Committee will create the exam with it's wealth of knowledge and decide in which ways it should be used. 

By:  Dan Barto

As writers across the country keep commenting on the current issues between the NCAA/NBA collusions, I have spent a week researching the different possibilities where everyone wins.

The NCAA solidifies a committee who identifies the 100 top high school seniors based on pro potential.  These players will be required to participate in the NCAA for one year like the current rule state.  During the process the players can either enter the draft after one year or complete or four years of college.  The players regardless of future performance will be paid $20,000 dollars per year which is a total of $80,000 per player. 

If the player does not pass at least 9 credits per semester they are reduced to $10,000 the following year.  This way the school has no other responsibility other than to run it's institution. 

Over the course of 4 years worth of players it could cost a max of $8 million per year plus taxes.  With players not meeting academic requirements, leaving early for the NBA and leaving for overseas it would be much less.  In return for the $8 million the panel that the NCAA selects which will consist of former players, coaches, agents, front office members and financial planners will be readily available to answer questions and consult with the board.

The NBA would then change the CBA, whether it causes a strike or not, to include a clause that says this board will represent these players for the rookie contract.  All contracts both through the team and involving marketing will be set for 4 years under strict policies.  This would allow the players to adjust and focus on their profession basically making the same amount of money as before but the people on the periphery would not.

I have based a lot of the philosophy on entering the military here in the US.  Many times super talented minds in the military leave the game to go into business on their own or in consulting.  After 4 years under the NBA/NCAA committee the players that make it will become free agents.  Anyone who wants to negotiate with the players including shoe companies and agents will need to be monitored by the committee but only marketing contracts will be signed. 

Players who are not in the top 100 must focus on development and education while attending college and will stay more focused on percentages of how many make it and fighting for spots in what is left for the unranked.  College coaches, AAU coaches, agents, shoe companies and greedy family members would like all other have to wait anywhere from 4-8 years to capitalize on these kids unless the kids choose to give them a piece of the action which was negotiated by the committee.  This puts the college coach in a position to actually help the players in their program make wise decisions about their future and would always have the ear of the committee.

Under this system the committee could also directly influence what players are doing once inside of an NBA organization.  The players would have to work really hard so that when that free agent contract came they were a desirable commodity.  This also would stop the backdoor agent/front office dealings that may occur.  Players who may not pan out after 4 years or maybe 2 years for second round picks would also be able to use the committee and college coaches for advice

Yes, there would be tons of scandals that resulted but the players would be educated heavily in the business and be able to make the best case situation decisions.  Many players are already starting their own companies and agencies because they are realizing that people do not always have their best interest or development in mind.  If there are any problems, every thing is documented by the committee so that there is a level of accountability. 

There would be no limit on marketing but the NBA would then have access to all deals putting everything on the table for the record.  If Nike wants to pay Lebron $100 million fine or if they want to pay him 5 million for the first 3 years that's fine too and it is all his and he has the power after the fourth year to go with anyone he wants.  They will spend the money on what will sell shoes immediately so they will pay. 

Now most will cry that this is causing a monopoly and I would say no more of a monopoly than the NFL or MLB.  If they NBA want to go global they have to clean things up with ideas like this.  Let's face it $20000/year after taxes is less than $1500 a month clear which most bad waiters in a college town make working less hours.

The NBA teams would split the costs through a yearly fee and would each have one full time member on the committee.  The players union would chose one former player to represent each team as well as ten outside members.  Membership would be four year terms max.  Only the 10 outside members would be paid for by the NBA, the other fees would be covered by the team

If agents want to start paying players knowing that at minimum it will take 4-8 years to get a return that will shorten the field of agents.  By reducing the playing field it should improve integrity, increase client satisfaction, and required those involved to bring tangible services to the table when negotiating.

The first few years of this process would be a battle but just like the 19 year old/one year removed people will just accept it and adjust.

By:  Dan Barto, Director of Player Development The IMG Basketball Academy and The PTC

Henry Abbott of ESPN.com's Truehoop recently released an article call "NBA Player's Need College? Prove it."

www.myespn.go.com/nba/truehoop

This article begs bigger questions about the future of the business of basketball. 

How in bed are the NCAA and the NBA? 

Though they are two separate revenue producing entities, they have interest in each other's business at every level.  Each company's decisions on eligibility affect the other's expenses, profits, and outside vertical.

By the NBA forcing the Roses, Beasleys, Loves, Mayo, and Jordans to college for one year, we now have a year dominated by freshman.  Memphis, Kansas State, UCLA and USC as all win both on and off the court. Because application rate rises and the amount of free marketing assigned to those universities both in the US and internationally is boarder line absurd.  When I attended Miami University of Ohio we advanced to the sweet sixteen.  This helped account for a 32% rise in application rates from 98-99 to 99-00. That example is small but I also ask these questions about the money involved.

Will the men's game become more top end dominant like the women's game?

What lengths will universities go to ensure these players arrive on campus?

Will future players be steered from NBA Academies to certain universities?

(This is a current plan of Myles Brand and David Stern)

What role will the D-League play?

Considering the D-League only pays a max contract of $30,000 there is little choice between college and the D-league?  The nice part about this is no shoe representatives make a dime until the player develops fully (in theory).  However who wins financially?  The NCAA uses mostly alumni endowed scholarships to bring kids in to raise revenue, bring notoriety and increase the basketball brand.

Can the D-league become a true regional feeder system? 

Can the D-league become a revenue producing entity which capitalizes on players we hear so much about in college but are not quite ready to compete?

Can the D-league develop stars and household names?

What role does sports center play in the rise of the D-League?

In creating a NBA Academies and increasing the D-League brand, will tension grow with the NCAA in-between?

How does the NBA gain from these ideas? 

First and foremost one year of college is basically character filtration.  In order to qualify DI a student must have 16 core classes approved by the NCAA as well as a SAT/ACT score to match on a sliding scale based on cumulative GPA.  For years high level players have been able to use prep school and a learning disability loophole in the NCAA guidelines to avoid the stigma of junior college.  They must also survive at least 9 credits of class of their first semester of their freshman year and show up enough second semester to keep the administration off their back. 

Unlike baseball which requires a high school declaration or a post-junior year entrance (juco players anytime), players can not jump out of high school and get large signing bonuses only to fizzle out.  Players coming directly from DII or junior college constantly have a stigma even though it may have been the result of poor public school administration or faulty advice and a plethora of transfers.

Instead of teams having to do background searches and drive into the depths of the deep south to scout, they can turn on Direct TV and read the internet.  Now I am not discounting NBA scouts ability, however I do see it as an extreme cost cutting measure.  The NCAA is doing the work.  Brilliant

Here are some interesting questions,

Would major league baseball change if NCAA baseball became a serious revenue producer?

Both sports allow international players out of an unstructured, uncontrolled, and some times shady European club system which may or may not involved the government.  So an international kid can drop out of high school at age 14 train, train, and train with professionals but American born players must meet criteria that is quite challenging when participating 12 months a year in high level athletics.

The NCAA and sports media take the branding control of the future athletes.  

The moguls of the shoe industry are no longer in position to use shoe company money to take care of those close to elite athletes.  Nor can they demand 2-3% of the agent’s cuts to deliver these players.  Though the NCAA will not personally control the players the reality is there will be no early pay days without the player producing on the front end. 

What will agents and runners do to get players?

Will college coaches now have more control of which agents players go with?

Will shoe companies extend much more lucrative contracts to college coaches who can deliver these players?

Will shoe company reps/agents take players overseas to make money and an easier route?

I do not know the answers to the questions above nor do I have the details of what the NBA and NCAA have planned.  From a business standpoint I do not know what the ramifications of their plans or so called collusions.

The exciting part is that players at every age are getting a more controlled and structured system to develop through.  In a capitalistic society money comes first and will always be at the front of the decision-making.  Creating a culture where eventually fans, parents, players, and coaches all understand the system and the system can not be as easily manipulated will eventually increase brand/team loyalty hopefully to the levels of Major League Baseball and the 300 pound gorilla called the NFL.  If that continues to happen here in the US then the revenue for both the NCAA and the NBA will be endless internationally 

________________________________

By:  Dan Barto, Director of Player Development at The IMG Basketball Academy and PTC

Sitting in the office one afternoon in the spring of 2004, the phone rang with the typical family member/AAU coach lines.  "I have this player who wants to be a pro and we hear you guys are the best.  That is where NBA players come to train, right?"  Always intrigued and knowing the number was an Ohio area code (I attended Miami Univerisity of Ohio) I followed along. 

Openly the family member said, "He doesn't play a ton right now but the kid is hungry and works harder than anyone.  We believe in him because he believes in himself so much."

This caught my attention because those words mean that a player usually has the ability to overcome adversity.  My follow-up was what is his name? 

"Antonio Graves, he plays at the University of Pittsburgh," the voice replied.

Now I am more entertained because being raised in Pittsburgh, I am a diehard Panther fan and the kid averaged less than 10 points per game and was an undersized small forward.  The persistent family member pushed for dates and costs of our training and made it happen.

When Antonio arrived he was a nervous wreck.  Demanding perfection and creating a scene when frustrated he annoyed many of his training group members.  For two weeks he never stopped working.  He went hard and fought through every mistake.  Standing on the sidelines for long periods of time just waiting to get into a pick up game with NBA stars, you could see the impatience and anger.  During many small stints in the run he would force plays and gamble.  Looking off NBA all-stars and 1st team All-Americans and then arguing back.

This was Antonio.  He believed that he belonged, he never saw resumes only opportunity.  He returned to Pittsburgh hungry and driven but the Pittsburgh backcourt was deep and minutes where going to be shared. Considering he was the Team Defensive Player of the year on one of the best defensive college teams in the nation and watching his relentless attempts to shutdown the pros I knew that he had certain tools to carryover to the next level.  However as a rising junior, not starting, the NBA was going to be a near impossible. 

During his junior year, Antonio took a step backwards.  Success in summer pickup games versus pros doesn't translate to the coach handing the ball to one.  Pittsburgh was again on top of the Big East and Antonio's emotion and desire many times turned to forced plays and counter productive play.  His minutes and statistics dropped.  We talked all the time and he always referred to having a chance to prove himself.

During the summer of 2006 he trained and emailed for drills and ideas.  His desire was to learn how to score better.  When in Pittsburgh I would stop by to show him one or two things.  He would tell me about how him and Sam (Young) where putting in work.  Ball handling, full court one on one, change of direction moves and hours of long range shooting.  Lots of college kids say these things but the staff and managers agreed that he was obsessed.

In the fall of 2006, we had this exchange,

Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:16:32 +0000

            The reality is that you have gotten to a point now where things are good. 
            you put in the work and the rewards are showing. My question is what are 
            you doing to stay prepared. I have talked to you on and off throughout 
            your career about reaching this level. With more success comes more 
            problems. People are going to be gunning for you everyday and people on 
            your own team are going to be rooting against you. 1st team all conference 
            is the goal. Nothing less. What are you doing extra to separate yourself 
            and prepare for opportunities? What are you doing to separate yourself 
             from other big time players in the big east? Now is not the time to be 
            worrying about shot attempts and minutes now is the time to be getting 
            sharper, eating right every second of every day. Stretching extra. 
            WATCHING EXTRA FILM. WATCHING PRO GAMES TO SEE THE BEST.

            When I set out to help change someone for the better I get it done. 
            Timing is everything. Thanksgiving break and a couple good games. You are 
            preparing now for January -march. All that hard work in the off-season got 
            you prepared for early practice and these first few games, now start 
            preparing for the months that everyone else will physically and mentally 
            fold under.

            I advised five college players this summer. You, DJ Strawberry, Ekene 
            Ibekwe, Nate Peavy, Jim Baron, and Will Daniels. Everyone is off to a 
            great start, not because of me but because of the mindset. THE MINDSET 
            CHANGES NOW. THE GAME CHANGES NOW. 

            Be good, and be prepared
     
            Your Friend,

            Dan

He responded,

         The good news is that I have been in the gym extra and definitely stretching
         extra. Honestly, I can say that this is the most consistent I've been with
         working out extra and keeping up with my drills and its showing. I just
         want to stay humble and keep being consistent. You don’t know how much I
         appreciate your help and just hearing from you, whether it’s good or bad
   ,     I appreciate it. I need you to keep checking on me too, but if I
        don’t respond in due time just text me or call. My brother always ask about
        you too because you know he's on my tale more than ever.

Senior year was big.  More minutes were open with the graduation of key guards and Antonio's confidence was high after another summer of work.  According to him, "I was killing in the fall run."  He was right.  He earned minutes and people saw a change in his game.  The risk and reward mindset was paying off.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07038/759972-87.stm

Knowing the entrance process for getting into any type of professional basketball, I knew 9.2 points per game and 5 rebounds were not very good numbers for a combo guard.  No passport and very little love from basketball agents, Antonio grew frustrated.  Flying around where different people lead him, this part of the process is about exposure and placement.  No Portsmouth, no Orlando. The only thing to do is free agent camps and hope your agent find you a low level starter job.

For those who do not know the low level starter jobs have you playing for around $1500/month in a non English speaking country with teammates who play for fun not dreams.  It’s a long way from 15 and under AAU teams let alone Major DI basketball.

After a summer of struggle, Antonio sent me this email.
            Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 14:27:54 -0400

Basically I couldn't get a decent overseas job so I decided to come back to Pitt and finish off these 9 credits        and then I don't know what after that. Hopefully something will come up in December...I know my numbers weren't great but can you honestly say that there's that many ball players out there better than me?...anyways I hope all is well with you

After finishing up in December, Antonio had also logged 13 games with the local Pittsburgh Explosion of the CBA.  It took 13 games for him to realize the answer to his question.  The CBA gave him his first look and Pau-Orthez of the French Pro League gave him his next look. 

Here is what Antonio had to say about how things are going,

Subject: RE:
 Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 22:04:37 -0500
 
 
Hey DAN! mann.. It’s good to hear from you. I thought you forgot about me.. haha.. but yeah.. im doing great! I tore up the cba and now im killing France. I got player of the month of February, I lead the league in scoring and i just made the cover of some French sports magazine. pretty cool, they love me and the other teams fear me...lol but it only makes me more hungry. I try to watch as many Laker games as I can b/c I now want to posses the same will and determination that Kobe has. My drive is getting stronger and stronger. It is inspiring to finally see the hard work, blood, sweat and tears finally start paying off. So I thank God and Im still working hard. I do my drills before practice sometimes but mostly on the off days. And if nobody else believes in me, I know I do. The summer I had when I first went to IMG and I competed with those guys.. man.. That same spirit lives in me and I am so thankful for the experience and I am thankful to be where I am today. I know all that i have ever needed since i picked up a basketball was a chance to show what I can do. And seeing things come to pass I know if I continue to prepare I will meet another great opportunity and be ready to cease it. 
If I don’t answer leave a message and I will call you back. And don’t forget that there is a 6 hr difference.
 Hope All is well!
 
~Peace~
 Antonio

www.eurobasket.com/fra/fra.asp

Could he be rookie of the year in the NBA this year?  No.  Could we see Antonio Graves name on an NBA uniform down the road?  He will probably have many more hurdles to climb but I am not going to tell him to settle.  A dream is a dream and along with dreams comes understanding what it takes and how long the road maybe.  Most importantly Antonio's is a story about how constant hard work, self discipline, self confidence and searching for opportunity allow the stars to line up.

Being a basketball trainer is about honesty and trust and process.  The formula for success does not change. 

By:  Dan Barto, Director of Player Development  

For those of you that forgot about the Birdman          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFU6hb7_e6A

                                                                             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiBvROW3eUY

The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman listed the players that have had been nixed from the NBA for an extended period of time do to failing substance testing required by the NBA.  Chris Andersen is at the bottom and will be back in the NBA soon and will have a more successful return than any of the players listed above.

Chris has been staying in shape and retooling his mind and game over the last two years.  I had the pleasure of training Chris for close to three weeks.  My first face to face meeting with the Birdman was one for the ages.  Knowing that he was going to begin his training on court at 8:00 AM, Chris insisted that we meet at 7:00 AM.  As I gave him directions to the gym I waited near the closest parking lot to the gym until I received a call in which I was given directions to the parking lot on the other side of the gym.  As I pulled the cart towards Chris's jacked-up monster truck he honked the horn to let me know it was him.  Of course the sound the horn made was not a beep but an enlightening melody that lasted about 8 seconds.

The Birdman jumped down from the truck in his flannel shirt and boots with a 24oz. Starbucks.  Being nervous about the initial meeting, I waited as Chris said that he had to put money in the parking meter.  The parking spot that he chose was on a college campus that required a $3.00 daily fee.  Chris reappeared shortly in a panicked state, claiming the parking machine ate his debit card.  Sure enough after inspecting the machine there was Chris's card wedged deep inside the dollar bill changer.  We eventually removed the card and worked our way to the court but those 15 minutes of visuals and conversation were classic.

Over the course of the next two weeks, I learned a couple important things about Bird: 

 1.)  He is a joy to be around 100% of the time  

 2.)  He will work until exhaustion  

3.)  He is professional and attentive 

 4.)  The dude can shoot, I repeat the dude can shoot.  

We laughed and worked and laughed harder.  Chris interacted with everyone whose path he crossed from the janitors to the rebounders to the MLS stars who spoke no English.  An absolute animal in the weight room and a soft rim's worst nightmare, Bird never wanted to leave the court.  There were days he would stay and work out with the high school group at the end of the day

I am not rooting for Bird because I want him to buck the trend of the list above.  I am rooting for the Birdman because he has a great soul and a big heart.  He was not an enabled showboat like many of the names above.  He took the long road.  When he got to a fork in the road of his career he stopped and took a couple hits, now it is full steam ahead into helping a team make a deep playoff run.

Possible scenarios:

1.)  Back home to New Orleanes.  I love this.  The city needs him and he gives them an inside prescense that can go deep into the Western Conference.

2.)  Cleveland.  Lebron needs cheap help.  His weak side rebounding and endless energy will make Detroit and Boston tremble in preparation. .

3.)  Miami.  No Shaq, No Mourning.  Looking to run more and need a shot blocker and energy guy.  Riley would love his intensity as would South Beach.

4.)  Dallas.  I have sent 50 emails to Mark Cuban over the past two years.  One time he responded to my passion for changing the game.  The other one he told me to tell Bird "what's up".  

5.)  Denver.  Run, run, run, someone needs to rebound JR Smith's misses on the 2nd unit.

By:  Dan Barto, Director of Player Development at IMG Basketball Academy and PTC
 

Watch the first 2 minutes of this video below before finishing the article.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRNw4HoOvRo
 
I get a lot of questions about how I know Joakim Noah.  Here’s a list of the questions I often get, and how I answer them:

Yes, I am a huge fan of Joakim Noah.

Yes, I had the pleasure of spending six weeks helping Noah prepare for the NBA Draft. 

Yes, I am a Billy Donovan fan. 

Yes, one of our players from IMG Academy is going to Florida next year. 

Yes, I understand that the Bulls are in turmoil. 

Yes, Noah played throughout the NCAA tournament with a torn rotator cuff.

Yes, Joakim is a free spirit and loves the limelight. 

No, I have never seen anyone push themselves to absolute exhaustion during an individual workout like Noah did. 

No, I have not had a player try to tear the rim off of every repetition of a drill that requires a dunk like Noah did. 

No, Corey Brewer did not talk back when Noah screamed to the other end of the court that he was not working like a lottery pick. 

No, Joakim did not have to work out everyday, twice a day, when he had a guarantee in the lottery. 

No, Joakim did not have to go to every workout he was invited to and showcase himself, including against guys rated much lower than him. 

No, he did not miss a workout because of his torn rotator cuff. 

No, Joakim did not have to wait for another player to finish their drills so he had someone to race in our full court sprints.

No, Joakim did not have to cause a stir amongst his team this week.   

 
As media around the country produce varying reports, I want to go to a famous quote, "There is a fine line between insanity and the most successful mindset one can have."  Ali danced around Zaire with the children, and many sports fan were left scathing at Ali's selfish act, not knowing his role, or that he changed the sport and world for the better. 

 For those of you who have not been paying attention, Joakim Noah has been doing the same for the past two years on the court and off.  Antagonizing fans, pounding his chest, screaming after a big play, giving crazy and confusing interviews.  Just like Ali, some can not relate or tolerate his actions because they are not willing to put in the work or sacrifice to stand up for something despite what authority might say.  Whether it is true or not, just the notion of Joakim challenging Ben Wallace proves the quote above.  Nobody wanted to mess with Sonny Liston at one time either.

How many players have cursed out their assistant coach and had their team throw them under the bus?  What did the coach say?  Was what he said professional or was it an eye for an eye?  Did the team want to suspend him or were veteran players trying to keep their cozy jobs by staying in line with the decision makers? 

It took him an extra year of high school and three years at

By:  Dan Barto, Director of Player Development, IMG Basketball Academy and The PTC

In the recent weeks of the Portland Trailblazers unforeseen winning streak, the mixing in of a matchup zone has been a major disturbance for opponents.  Again, back to my wingspan theory which is that players with abnormally long wingspans are underappreciated, the Trailblazers like the Hawks, have players that play much bigger than their height. 

Wingspan relates to the zone defense directly in that players with body control of a 6’3 athlete but cover ground and areas of a 6’7 athlete make the zone bigger than it should be.  The ball pressure on the handler is more intense because the player can quickly close out but the same time jam the dribbler at low angles. The area covered is great because contested passes must be thrown higher and less direct.  As the ball floats in the air or the receiver adjusts to the shooting pocket, the defense is again instantly in position.

Nate McMillan is a stickler for details offensively with their variety of sets, crisp ball movement, and perfect spacing late in the shot clock.  The players obviously understand the details of the angles and discipline of guarding in a zone for 24 seconds because just as they seem to make the perfect pass as the shot clock winds down, the do not give up an easy look as the other team presses to get the shot off.  Teams that have tried the zone with a group of well-paid veterans in the past have had streaks of success but eventually gets zapped.(If interested dig up Timberwolves footage from 2005- spring of 2007) 

Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, Lamarcus Aldridge, Joel Pryzbilla, Brandon Roy, Channing Frye, James Jones, Jarrett Jack, and Sergio Rodriguez all have 2+ wing spans.  These players also have above average body control which I would contend would be that of a smaller player.  Not athleticism but body control.  I actually would argue that the Blazers would win the NBA Championship of Hockey if every team were to lace up their skates and take the ice.

The second key to finishing off zone play is the ability to rebound in space.  Given the fact that people have areas not men there is tremendous room for error on the boards.  I again contest that the types of athletes Portland possess help.  In order to have the body control that this group has lower body strength and single leg strength is imperative.  Each player mentioned above is able to use their back side and instincts to find a man to box out.  They are then strong enough to hold them for at least a 1-count.  Next in a race to the ball the extra long arms can spring to the ball or deflect the ball to a team mate just in the nick-of-time.  In watching, the do not lose many “space rebounds” and really fight for the loose balls on the deflect rebounds

By:  Dan Barto, Director of Player Development IMG Basketball Academy and the PTC

In my last post, I gave an intriguing opinion of how above average wingspan and endomorphic built player will have certain traits that effect their skill set.  While watching the Pistons-Celtics game last evening, I can conclude that Jason Maxiell and Glen "Big Baby"Davis are two perfect examples.  The way these two players used the combination of strength and wing span to finish and score was exactly what I was trying to explain.  Using their bodies to leverage the defender and the using their length to beat the opponent to thw ball was in full effect.  I truly believe that if not for their extremely long arms these two players may well be on the career path of Raphel Araujo. 

In the college game two great examples of this type of play would be Kevin Love from UCLA and Dejaun Blair from Pittsburgh.  Though undersized in theory, these two players will be in the NBA for over a decade because of their understanding of how to use their bodies. 

By:  Dan Barto, Director of Player Development at The Basketball Academy and PTC

The word wingspan is one that is overused during the process of evaluating talent.  On the court the word is under appreciated if the coaching eye understands the relationship between extremity control, body type and skill development. 

For the average fan it is easy to say, "Look how long Dwight Howard's arms are, no wonder he blocks so many shots."   There are obviously great advantages to having long arms versus having short arms in the game of basketball but some of the most gifted passes tend to have wingspans that are below average

When I say body type, I mean long term body type.  A player may look ectomorphic but actually be mesomorphic when they reach full maturity.  Between mesomorphic, ectomorphic, and endomorphic players the wingspan can be productive or counterproductive.  An above average wingspan is going to take a player’s center of gravity and stability points and stretches them.

 The measurement classification is a wingspan length around your vertical height is average.  Anything 2 inches over your height "means you have the ability to play bigger than your height. (If you are 6'6 and have a 6'8 wingspan you could in theory compete against 6'8 players.)

I have seen and individually worked out players in person that have ridiculous wingspan differentials and have noticed one extremely under looked aspect of evaluating wingspan.

Players with a 2+ differential and are endomorphic versus mesomorphic, meaning they are heavy set with very powerful lower body but not freaky athletes tend to posses touch around the basket, touch from the perimeter even though it is more of a set shot and tend to be able to root or move players to rebound the basketball.  Their changes of speed, hesitations, counters and screening ability tend to be better than their counter parts.  These guys are shot and post contesters not shot blockers even though they get the statistical credit.  These types of guards are ball pokers and bumpers in the open court.  The combination of strength and power also attract the refs on a frequent basis.

Players with a 2+ differential and are mesomorphic (long thin athletic) tend to have a hitch in their shot and free throw, not that they do not go in but they tend to have a hitch.  They also are better shot blockers and second jumpers and "open" rebounders, meaning if both players are equal distance they can pounce quicker to cover the space.  They also tend to be very rigid ball handlers but great straight line sprinters.  Their pivots, shot fakes, counters and jab series are not pretty to watch with an analytical eye.

Players with a 2+ differentials and are ectomorphic tend to have very little offensive skills outside of catch and shoot and close basket layins or dunks.  These tend to be the guys that teams say as soon as they gain weight they will improve.  No they will be bigger and no more effective.  These players tend to constantly be injured and the combination of length and lack of strength make them very poor defenders across the board.

So next time you are analyzing talent watch for the way wingspan affects the players play.  I will be back with multiple examples and am looking for multiple anomalies.  These analyses are made based on full maturity however in youth development I will argue that this type of analysis allow for better technique adjustments.  Understanding what a bodies physical tendencies, strengths and weaknesses can allow a coach to better develop skills at a young age.

On a side note I would like to point out that Kid Rock's new song "Blue Jeans and a Rosary" is going to be a huge hit over the coming months and possibly one of the all time great sing in your car songs.

Since 2005 many have debated who is going to be a better pro long term Monta Ellis or Louis Williams?  I took most of today to analyze their current situations.  As high school seniors they tried to start a trend of undersized high school scoring guards entering the draft. I must preface the debate by saying that both guys are on their way to All-Star status.  Deron Williams and Chris Paul were THE GUARDS in the 2005 draft.  As the year moves on and both players get closer to big paydays, I ask the question, who is the better investment? 

Three years ago I attended one of the single most impressive performances ever scene in a high school game.  Driving two hours from Jackson, Mississippi to Greenwood, Mississippi, I watched Lanier High School play Greenwood High School.  Braving the two lane roads in a torrential downpour and losing the Lanier bus multiple times, I arrived along with George David of the Detroit Pistons and saw Monta Ellis score 70+.  Very few high school superstars ever achieve this statistic.  The amazing part is he only scored 6 points in first quarter.  He hit three from every spot on the floor, intercepted any pass that was within 5 feet as he played on the top of the ¾ court diamond press dunking it with authority, slicing the press into floaters and shooting 20 + free throws. 

Monta Ellis has had tremendous success as a Golden State Warrior.  Proving over and over why people should have looked past his minor knee problems during the draft and saw the raw speed and talent.  He is the “fire and ice” player that individual skill coaches like myself love to watch play in games.  The fire is the pure speed with the ball and the quickness and explosiveness.  The ice is the touch on his finishes, the runners, the fade away, and the ability to stop on a dime and gracefully rise into his shot.  I personally have created drills off of things I have watched Monta create throughout the course of attacking

I got to spend some time with Monta as he traveled between Mississippi and Bradenton for his pre-draft preparation in 2005.  He is the “gamer of all gamers” and a very visual/imaginative type of player.  Put him in a gym and drill him and he will fidget with his follow through and flip some floaters up but rarely exert him to the fullest threshold.  One on one and pickup you see another side rearing a competitive aggression that Chuck Lidell would aspire to have.

Louis Williams was more a mystery to me.  Everyone knew about the vertical springs of over 42 inches and the fact that "he is an undersized combo".  I have always said, "When you can score you can score" but this kid was in the deep south without the media darling of New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles (Good thinking Renardo Sidney get there early).  His potential talent and agent leverage got him to Philadelphia where for the last two years he has been under the tutelage of Maurice Cheeks. 

I think it is difficult for a college player to get feedback from a former player and make immediate adjustment.  It is hard to break what you have been doing for 3-4 years everyday and adjust to the college game.  For Louis Williams I think that having Maurice Cheeks for ages 19-21 has been great for his development.  He has had very few views on how to play which means he is following one system of development.  They are following the system and it is working. 

I saw him play three summer league games in Vegas this summer and the only other guard that even came close in being able to play, lead and score was Rodney Stuckey.  They not only dominated the games by scoring using ball screens and moving the ball at the right times but disrupted everything the offense was trying to do by suffocating their man and leaving a the exact right times to create deflections and steals. 

Being at third year player, Williams stats have steadily improved each year.  After having to guard Allen Iverson throughout a year of practice can teach a player a thing or two.  Imagine how technically sound you have to be to not have Allen Iverson take the ball from you every time.  That year and a half was brutal for Williams’ confidence but a valuable learning lesson.  Andre Miller and Willie Green are technically sound guards that know how to play in the half court and combines with Cheeks feedback Williams has obviously been a sponge.  The most impressive statistic is his vastly improved 3 point percentage.  To me this is a sing of individual preparation and many hours spend changing and honing his mechanics at game speed.

On the other hand, Monta and the Warriors practice on a daily basis trying to get shots off with 15 plus left on the shot clock.  Monta’s best matchup is the bruising Baron Davis.  The Warriors rarely play in the half court and Don Nelson, as empowering as he is, did not play the guard position in the light that Maurice Cheeks did.

In evaluating the situations, I think that Louis Williams may have been held back which is a good think for his future.  He may not get the level of money that he feels he deserves but will thrive in whatever environment he ends in. 

Ellis on the other hand was blessed with being in a system that plays to his strengths.  As he nears decision-making time, he will need to continue to play in an up tempo system to become a max type of player.  He will be a starter and a scorer no matter what but when compared to Louis Williams’ development pattern his experience and faster push into the limelight could slow him in another city.