Small Ball

Because of the Rockets elimination the other night, some on this board are assuming that SMALL BALL is now going to be of diminished importance - but I don't see that happening.First of all this 21st century offensive style of ball is nothing more than a long ball version of the game that I grew up with back in the 50's - just a case of a lot more shots from downtown with even the BIGS stepping out from behind the 3 point line to demonstrate their long range skills. While others in the past 20 years have had considerable sucess with their distant shooting Houston this past season has been flat out lousy from all the different ranges. Ranking 24th at 3pt range, 13th at 16-3pt, 18th at 10-16 ft and 23rd at 3-10 ft. Golden State in 2017-18 ranked 1st, 1st, 1st and 3rd

swish
.

swish wrote:Because of the Rockets elimination the other night, some on this board are assuming that SMALL BALL is now going to be of diminished importance - but I don't see that happening.First of all this 21st century offensive style of ball is nothing more than a long ball version of the game that I grew up with back in the 50's - just a case of a lot more shots from downtown with even the BIGS stepping out from behind the 3 point line to demonstrate  their long range skills. While others in the past 20 years have had considerable sucess with their distant shooting Houston this past season has been flat out lousy from all the different ranges. Ranking 24th at 3pt range, 13th at 16-3pt, 18th at 10-16 ft and 23rd at 3-10 ft.  Golden State in 2017-18 ranked 1st, 1st, 1st and 3rd

  swish
.

Interesting. In fact, your post shows the efficiency of the 3-pt shot - a team that is not particularly good at taking them made it into the 2nd round of the playoffs simply by taking a lot of them. I don't love the 3-pt shot. I miss the creativity it took to make a clever pass to someone closer to the basket, or the athleticism and vision it took to snake in on a drive. However, math doesn't lie. The only way the three goes away is if they move the line far enough back that players can only hit them at ~20%, and with modern players that would have to be very far back. I have often thought it would be really interesting if the NBA limited the number of 3s each team could take, say 20 per game. After taking 20 3's, subsequent shots from behind the line would only be worth 2. It would add a whole new level of strategy to the game; when is the best time to use your 3s? Which players should be allowed to take them?

GS also had a 7ft freak player in Durant and a 7 footer in Bogut, so maybe it should be called elite 3 point shooting ball, instead of small ball.

cowens/oldschool wrote:GS also had a 7ft freak player in Durant and a 7 footer in Bogut, so maybe it should be called elite 3 point shooting ball, instead of small ball.

cowens

Exactly my point old school - and basketball has now taken the same route as baseball did with the homerun back in the 20's and football did with the long forward pass back in the early 1900's. If you have the high percentage shooters from deep - you would be crazy not to fire away. The way the game is played now players are no longer, more or less, restricted to shooting from certain ranges based on size. Bigs are no longer chained to the paint and baseball and football have never reverted back to those early years. The choke grip on the bat is gone and now the QUARTERBACKS arm is treasured.

swish

cowens/oldschool wrote:GS also had a 7ft freak player in Durant and a 7 footer in Bogut, so maybe it should be called elite 3 point shooting ball, instead of small ball.

cowens

Exactly my point old school - and basketball has now taken the same route as baseball did with the homerun back in the 20's and football did with the long forward pass back in the early 1900's. If you have the high percentage shooters from deep - you would be crazy not to fire away. The way the game is played now players are no longer, more or less, restricted to shooting from certain ranges based on size. Bigs are no longer chained to the paint and baseball and football have never reverted back to those early years. The choke grip on the bat is gone and now the QUARTERBACKS arm is treasured.

swish

I expect the NBA to sample a 4 point shot in the next pre-season.

As more centers come up after playing on the perimeter in HS and college it will no longer be small ball. IT will be long ball. But it is not just about the center stretching the floor. It is also about how they can play defense at or away from the basket. It is really an issue of mobility and versatility. Small ball or using smaller players as bigs is not a completely new concept. See Boston Celtics with a frontline of Dave Cowens, Paul Silas and John Havlicek.

dboss wrote:I expect the NBA to sample a 4 point shot in the next pre-season.

As more centers come up after playing on the perimeter in HS and college it will no longer be small ball.  IT will be long ball.  But it is not just about the center stretching the floor.  It is also about how they can play defense at or away from the basket.  It is really an issue of mobility and versatility.  Small ball or using smaller players as bigs is not a completely new concept.  See Boston Celtics with a frontline of Dave Cowens, Paul Silas and John Havlicek.

God, I hope not....

Swish really understands the game and its progression. Wisdom sure does come with age in his case.

I woud trade Kemba for Embiid and draft or trade for a pg.
A crazy idea, I know, but Philly is a crazy organization.

Only if Philly continues to be a poorly run franchise, so maybe.

Shamrock1000 wrote:

dboss wrote:I expect the NBA to sample a 4 point shot in the next pre-season.

As more centers come up after playing on the perimeter in HS and college it will no longer be small ball.  IT will be long ball.  But it is not just about the center stretching the floor.  It is also about how they can play defense at or away from the basket.  It is really an issue of mobility and versatility.  Small ball or using smaller players as bigs is not a completely new concept.  See Boston Celtics with a frontline of Dave Cowens, Paul Silas and John Havlicek.

God, I hope not....

It's coming.  It is the next logical change.  We are seeing more guys shots really deep 3 balls.  The new mantra will be, "don't foul a 4 point shooter"

"Small Ball"

I do not like Small Ball at all
I do not like it
With my Ball

I do not like it here or there
I do not like it anywhere
I do not like it in the post down low
I would not, could not, with a free-throw

I will not watch it in the rain
I do not like it on a train
I do not like it in the box
I will not play it with Rick Fox

I do not like it with Eddie House
I would not dribble, like some mouse
I do not like Small Ball at all
I do not like it
I prefer it Tall


(with apologies to Dr. Seuss)

Lol NYCelt, very nice