There are quite a few things that are advanced in today's game vs years ago such as, overall speed, size and player elevation on average but there are also a few things, major things, that lack today in comparison to yesterday's game....the mid range game and moving without the ball being the biggest two.
Where is the problem coming in at? Why are those two elements severely lacking right now? Is it what youtube and ESPN is highlighting to the young, up and coming ballers? Did "And 1" start the "dunk or 3 only" mentality? Do we blame the AAU programs that magnify flash and highlights over fundamental substance of a players game?(@ least that's the stigma anyway). Maybe its a combination of it all, but I know its hurting the game for sure. We see the most stagnant offenses ever in basketball history right now. We see players who are 6-8', 270 pounds shooting fadeaway 3's all game unless they have a clear path to the rim for a dunk, while standing and watching without the ball and refusing to post up, but yet are given the title as King. We have point guards that you can leave wide open from 12 feet out, but yet some analyst are calling them one of the best PG's in the league. Impossible! What's weird is, some good 3 point shooters in today's game can't shoot in the mid range and have less than desirable free throw percentages. Let's think... what if Rajon Rondo could actually shoot consistently from mid to long range? What if John Wall had a steady stop-n-pull up jumper from about 16-19ft? (Which I think he will soon.) The kids don't marvel at these aspects of the game because its less glorified and most of their bball idols don't posses a mid range game themselves.
What sets efficient, well rounded players like a Chris paul, Chauncey Billups, Kobe Bryant, Rip Hamilton and a few others, apart is the ability to be very dangerous in between the rim and the 3 point line. Young players have to learn that the "in between" floor can and should be utilized as well. One can only learn to do so through practicing that aspect of the game. Moving with out the ball, catching and shooting in open gaps of the defense, off the dribble, stop on a dime in the mid-range for the jumper drills. Runners and floaters from either side are valuable assets to having an effective mid-range game as well. The most "good shot" opportunities are gonna be in the mid-range area, especially in half court situations. There has to be a genuine desire and appreciation for a complete all around game by today's up and coming players. There aren't many, but there are a few cats to look at as a good example of mid-range execution. If you wanna see the art of the mid-range and off the ball killers, check out Rip Hamilton, Jerry West or Sam Cassell.
Here's former NBA Champion PG and current Wizards assistant Sam Cassell with a lil tutorial!
http://youtu.be/6PLWvSqkDAU
Rip Hamilton on how moving without the ball can destroy defense against a scorer
http://youtu.be/PzLA78Qb3fg
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