Quick Hits is a fans perspective on the game, trends, analysis and basketball fundamentals. My perspective does not carry the credentials of a professional broadcaster or analysis, However, I have been watching basketball for over thirty years and the Mavericks for twenty. These are my own observations from a personal view point on things that I have seen or analyzed while watching the game.
QH1: Shooter versus Scorer
QH2: Quick versus Fast
QH3: Quick shot versus Shooting fast
QH4: Creating a shot
QH5: Empty possesions
QH6: Poise and Composure
QH1: Shooter versus Scorer
There is a difference between a shooter and a scorer. A scorer has to take a lot of shot to produce a high point total. Whereas, a shooter can produce a high point total with relative few shots. An example of a scorer is Alan Iverson. Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash are great examples of a shooter. Larry Bird was considered a great shooter. One type of shooter is a rhythm shooter. A rhythm shooter has a methodical long slow release that is smooth (like Dirk). Rhythm shooters often need to hit their first shot or a free throw to get their rhythm. Rhythm shooter may appear streaky but that would describe a scorer. Streaky scorers make their points in bunches and are hot/cold on any given night. Stackhouse is a streaky scorer/shooter.
QH2: Quick versus Fast
Basketball is all about quickness, not necessarily speed. A player with speed (JET) is someone who is fast with the ball and out runs everyone down the court. A player with quickness (Larry Bird) is someone who can make a move and get by the opponent. It is rare for a player to have both speed and quickness (Devin Harris). Quickness allows a player to get to a spot or an area, one step before the other player. This type of player is the most dangerous. Quickness comes in two varieties. One is lateral quickness and the other is the first step. Shawn Bradley is a prime example of a player who did not have lateral quickness. Amare Stoudamire is a current player who has straight ahead speed, but does not have lateral quickness. Amare can play great help defense, but is below average when guarding a player straight up that requires the quick lateral (side to side) movement. A quick first step is deadly in the NBA. It is what allows a player to beat an opposing player even when the opposing player know where the other is going. Larry Bird always went to his right, but his first step was so quick people could not stop him. Michael Jordan in his prime had a great first step, quick lateral movement and speed. Dwayne Wade has an explosive first step.
QH3: Quick Shot versus shooting fast.
Taking a shot early before the opposing player or double team arrives is considered a quick shot. A quick shot has nothing to do with the shooting motion itself. The shooting motion can be deliberate or fast. Shooting fast has to do with the shooting motion itself and how fast the shot is released. Reggie Miller had a very quick release. Whereas as Dirk has a very smooth, yet slow release.
My personal belief, this is what caused Golden State to upset the Mavericks in the playoffs. Dirk was taking fast shots before the double team arrived. Dirk is not as good a shooter when his release is fast. It is more like a throwing motion than the typical long slow rhythm release we all are use to seeing. Dirk rushed his shots during the whole series. I think this more than the double teaming is what caused Dirk to miss a lot of shots. Nellie probably realized that if he could get Dirk to shoot fast, then he would miss.
QH4: Creating a shot.
Some player are able to create their own shot. These types of players are rare and there are not many in the NBA that can create their own shot. When a team has a player of this magnitude, then the othr players around them get easier shots. Most often an open look (defender is so far away that the shooter has an open look at the basket). Allen Iverson has always been one who could create his own shot, even when the set play breaks down. Traci Macgrady and Kobe Bryant are also awesome at creating their own shot. Typically, great point guards in general have the ability to create their own sho. Somtimes power forwards like Kark Malone or Tim Duncan have the unique ability to create a shot and/or draw the double team. The Mavericks are fortunate to have more than one person who create their own shot. This is one of the reasons that the Mavericks 2 years ago did not have many assists because players like JET, Stack, Devin, Dirk and Josh could create their own space to get an open shot. One essential factor in being able to create your own shot is the ability to dribble by the opponent. Another is the ability to rise above the opponent and simply shoot over them, ala Michael Jordan in his middle years. Quickness and variety also go a long way in creating a shot.
QH5: Empty Possesions
All NBA teams go through a stretch in a game where the shots are not falling. Many teams often have a brief time where scoring becomes rather dificult. The worse is are the empty possesions. These often kill a team and allows the opponent to produce a mini scoring run. An empty possesion is where the team commits a turnover, fails to get a shot off, shot clock expires or a offense foul is committed. Thus the empty possesion, as in no shot attempt. Too many empty possesions in one game or during a period often result in the team losing a lead, falling behind or worse losing the game. Next time you watch a NBA game, count how many empty possesions there are for one team. Most likely that will the team that loses the game.
QH6: Poise and Composure
Championship teams have poise and maintain their composure. Elite teams still developing their identity often lose their poise in the big games. That is why some elite teams lose the big games, because they forget to maintain their composure. Remember on the playgorund how one person or team always seemed to win. Well they had been there so many times, it was not a big deal to the local neighborhood favorite to win. In fact, they came to expect it. The professional game is no different. Championship teams have more than just talent that allows them to win. The Champsionship teams have learned how to keep their poise and maintain their composure. When talent is equal, poise and composure often determine the outcome of the game. Confidence and attitude also help. But if you don't keep your poise during crunch time, then the chances of winning the big games is significanlty less. In 2006, the Mavericks learned how to keep their poise against San Antonio and thus were able to beat them in the playoffs.
More quick hits to be added later.