An NBA Player on calling plays in the NBA

[ZoneBlitz]

So, a friend of mine used to play in the NBA. He only played for about 4 or 5 years, was average at best, played on about 3 different teams, then went overseas to play. Given the discussions on these boards I thought I'd ask him about playcalling in the NBA. He, by the way, is not a videogamer. He is currently training to be a basketball coach and is attending clinics while he finishes his sports management degree.

I will summarize his responses as follows:

He told me that even though to many it may not appear to be so, but NBA basketball is extremely intentional. Any game is the result of a huge amount of practice. No one just runs around aimlessly. Even the free-styling, he said, is based on practice and variations of plays when the plays have broken down or an opportunity emerges during the course of running a play. In short, everything in NBA basketball is intentional. Of course, plays breakdown and many times you just have to create something. Yet, it is rare for a possession to start without some sort of intention.

He said playcalling varies by teams. Yet, from his time in the league and his interaction with players - from superstars to benchwarmers - playcalling is a significant part of the game. However, he stressed that when a play is not called - that doesn't mean what is happening is not intentional. It may be, for example, that an opportunity develops - such as a mismatch that leads to a great give-and-go situation or another quick series of steps that they have - you guessed it - practiced over and over again. They even practice what to do in situations where a play breaks down or there is no time and something has to happen fast. It may not be a play, but it is intentional.

He also stated that in the NBA, you are dealing with coaches and high caliber players that study you and what you do. Then after studying you and what you do, they - you guessed it - practice on how to stop it or exploit it. If you don't plan or approach the game from an intentional perspective, then you will not succeed at all.

He also indicated, as you might have figured out by now, that practice, game film and learning your teammates are where everything starts.

Finally, one thing he mentioned is that the game is incredibly fast and mental. He said more than people realize it is really a chess match. That's why practice is so important. The caliber of athlete in the NBA - or any professional sport - is routinely underestimated.

At any rate, I just thought I'd share that discussion. I thought it was informative. He went into a lot more technical information and examples about basketball but, I'm just not up to that level of understanding of the game. I just thought I'd share it.

Now, I'm off to practice on 2k11 so I can become better at it.

Any thoughts?

[Classic88]

This was rather insightful. Thanks for posting.

[Armor and Sword]

No doubt. Great post.

[lv2bll]

good post but if you dont mind me asking, who is the baller? He must be known?

[SA1NT401]

Good post...Good read. Thanks for sharing.

[ZoneBlitz]

Quote: Originally Posted by lv2bll

good post but if you dont mind me asking, who is the baller? He must be known?

I'll check and see if he doesn't mind being named. I forgot to ask him that.

Nevertheless, I am getting so deep into NBA 2k11 now. I have just mastered my first ISO move - the crossover. Now, I'm going to start doing more moves. BTW, anyone know where I can find out how to do post moves. Thanks.

[Jukeman]

Reason why Im enjoying the game more with run plays at 100

[airjoca]

Allen Iverson will never be a coach, thats for sure.