Wednesday, June 3, 2009

become the best

The best scorers in the game, and I mean the ones that average 25 or more points a night, can only put up those huge numbers on a consistent basis because they can score the basketball in a lot of different ways. They have multiple offensive weapons and this keeps the defense off-balance.

They aren't just good 3-point shooters. Or just good perimeter shooters. Or just good at taking the ball to the basket. Or just good free throw shooters. Great scorers do most, if not all of those things well. In fact, they usually do almost all of those things very well.

To put up big scoring numbers night in and night out, you have to be able to keep the guessing as to what your next move is going to be. If you only have the ability to score in 1 or 2 ways, all the defense has to do it shut down those parts of your game, and they've basically shut you down as an offensive player.

If you're just a good jump shooter from the baseline, a good defensive player and team is eventually going to take away (or limit) that part of your game.
If you're only good at driving to your right side, a good defensive player and team is eventually going to take away (or limit) that part of your game.
If you're a post player and your only good move is a drop-step to the baseline, a good defensive player and team is eventually going to take away (or limit) that part of your game.
I think you get the idea.

Great offensive players, and I'm talking guys like Jordan, Kobe, or Allen Iverson can score in so many different ways that the defense is always guessing what direction they're going to go, and what move they're going to make. That's because great players work on their game to the point that they can score in so many different ways that no defender can guard against or stop all of their scoring options.

Great scorers can shoot the J, are typically solid 3-point shooters, can drive past the defense in either direction, and are usually very good from the free throw line. In addition, these guys are quick, have great ball handling skills, are good leapers, can play through contact, and have fine-tuned their ability to concentrate and finish plays.

And oh yeah, great scorers also have almost unshakable confidence in their abilities. They know how to put the ball in the basket. They know how good they are. They know that no defender can guard them. They know that it's just a matter of time before they get on a good run, knock down a few shots, and pretty soon they've got 18 or 20 points on the board, and are on their way to a 28 or 30 point game.

This is all well and good. So how can this help you become a great scorer? You have to develop the ability to score in a variety of ways. Develop your game to the point where you have multiple offensive weapons that keep the defense off-balance and guessing what your next move will be.

To become a great scorer, you have to be able to shoot the basketball (from distance, mid-range, and close-in shots). You have to develop your moves and ball handling abilities so you can take your defender offf the dribble (to the right, to the left, and using a variety of moves and changes in speed). You have to develop your ability to create space so you can shoot the ball (step back moves, fall away moves, high arch shots, jab steps, pump fakes). You have to develop the ability to score in a variety of ways (create your own shots, come off of screens to knock down jumpers, catch and shoot moves). And you have to be able to pick up scoring opportunities in other ways (creating contact so you go to the free throw line, shooting a high-percentage from the line, putting yourself in a position to get put-back shots on fast breaks, crashing the offensive glass, hustling on fast breaks to get easy baskets).

The list above is a tall order. It's not easy to be good at doing all of the things listed above (and that's not even a complete list of the things the really great scorers can do). But success isn't easy. It takes dedication and hard work.

Becoming a big-time scorer takes a lot of work. Break the game down into its various parts, work on those areas, and in time, you'll see results.

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