khandor’s sports blog

… he is quite capable of resembling The Great Man, himself, in a sort of “poor man’s version” of Bill Russell.

————————–

FYI … and, in response to these two pieces earlier today from Chris Black and Michael Grange, respectively:

More on Bosh [Jan 21, 2010, 3:00 PM]

You’ve got questions … I’ve got answers … [Jan 21, 2010, 8:14 AM]

these are the thoughts of yours truly concerning the Capacity for Excellence held by Christopher Wesson Bosh:

====================================

Chris [Black],

Here’s what I wrote at “From Deep”, after reading Mr. Grange’s reference to your insight on what works best for Chris Bosh and the Raptors:

———————————

Michael [Grange],

“But he does come up with some data that suggest that Bosh’s performance can be correlated pretty closely to team success. Most significantly it’s a phantom number (let’s face it, most of them are, but it’s fun) that I agree with in that it suggests the key for the Raptors success isn’t more scoring from Bosh.

The premise is that Bosh playing more like he did for the U.S. Olympic team – hustling, ball-hawking, defending in addition to score – could have an impact for the Raptors come playoff time.”

For the last several years, I have endured a fair amount of criticism for making the claim … long before others seemed to realize that Chris Bosh is, in fact, as good as he really is, as a dominant under-sized Center in the NBA … that CB4, when he plays his best and gives his TEAM its best chance to win important games against high end opponents, is actually playing the game like a poor man’s version of Bill Russell … i.e. which is to say that what he needs to do is, in fact:

* Score fewer points
* Shoot fewer shots
* Amass more rebounds
* Key the team’s offensive transition game as its main defensive rebounder/outlet pass maker
* Amass more assists
* Block more shots
* Play exclusively in the low-mid post area, as the Central hub of the team’s half-court offense
* Provide first-class leadership and emotional stability to his teammates who are sound, individually, as team defenders and secondary rebounders, but very good offensively moving without the ball and with the ability to make open shots.

If Chris Bosh has the right Point Guard on his team [i.e. pass first], and the right Off Guard [shoot first], and the right Small Forward [drive and defend first], and the right Power Forward [rebound and defend first], and the right Back-ups at the PG [defend], OG-SF [score] and PF-C [score] positions, and the right head coach [set based with expert leadership skills], he is plenty good enough to lead his team to a NBA championship.

———————————

IMO, Chris [Bosh] actually has the capacity to ratchet-up his production in each of the Russell-based categories I listed above, if he decreases his current emphasis on Scoring.

What Chris [Bosh] has needed for a long time now is the kind of coach who can see accurately that is in fact where his emphasis NEEDS to be, if he is going to be able to achieve his personal goals as an elite level basketball player. Chris [Bosh] has always valued WINNING more than anything else. Unfortunately, he has yet to find the right coach to show him how to do this properly, given his specific skill-set.

====================================

The beauty of it is that those same thoughts have in fact been on display on this very blog for the better part of the last 2 years.

Chris Bosh’s strength … as a player and a person

De-constructing the mystery that is Chris Bosh

Cheers

PS. It can be a real challenge if/when what you perceive to be the case is not immediately seen and shared by others. 

This is some of what’s been written in this space:

Jul 1, 2009, Memo to Kevin Pritchard
Jun 23 2009, NBA Double Jeopardy, for $2000
Mar 20, 2009, What the Blazers NEED most heading towards the playoffs
Feb 17, 2009, Ranking the Best Big Men in the NBA today
Oct 8, 2008, Greg, Brandon, Rudy, Travis, Martell, LaMarcus, et al.
Sep 25, 2008, Taking on all comers
Sep 23, 2008, 2nd Coming in the Pacific Northwest
Mar 27, 2008, Educating Greg Oden
Dec 22, 2007, Blazing a New [Old] Trail in Portland

concerning the goings-on with the Trail Blazers, since the 2007 NBA Draft.

Unlike others in the on-line hoops community, nothing which has happened since those entries were first made has changed the perspective of yours truly, regarding the ability of Greg Oden.

———————————

Trail Blazers 93, Memphis 79: Pieces come together; Greg Oden unleashed
More and more, the Trail Blazers are learning just how much Greg Oden means to their success.Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Oden, and himself.

On Tuesday, Oden was the difference for the Blazers as they jumpstarted a five-game trip with a 93-79 rout of Memphis that ran the Blazers winning streak to three.

After playing only four minutes in the first half after two quick fouls, Oden was powerful on offense and intimidating on defense, helping the Blazers break away from a 45-45 halftime tie. Oden had 14 points, six rebounds and two blocks in the second half, and keyed the Blazers’ decisive 14-1 run in the third quarter.

“I was 0-fer in the first half,” Oden said, referring to his statistical line. “I wanted to get something going. And by running and giving energy, I thought it could definitely open things up.”

The emergence of Oden is getting the Blazers close to completing the diamond that coach Nate McMillan likes to make with his hands when talking about this team. McMillan puts his forefingers and thumbs together to symbolize the connection between

Prior to this season, that diamond has never been complete because Oden has been learning the ropes. But now, the team and Oden are getting the picture.

“The biggest thing about tonight is seeing how Greg is a huge part of what we do,” Roy said. “If we can keep him on the floor it makes us a much better team. It opens everything for all of us. So in a lot of ways, it starts with him.”

———————————

It’s only a matter of time, when you have a stud … with the skill-set, personal qualities and physical attributes of Greg Oden … at the very heart of your team, at the Center position.

Here’s a nice short piece on the Thunder’s young GM, Sam Presti, who is off to a terrific start in Oklahoma City …

Page 2: My Idol with Sam Presti
It’s a long list that Presti will tell you extends beyond the sports realm. But on the playing fields, Presti most admired Bill Russell, Bill Walsh and Cal Ripken — a trio he says helped quench his thirst for knowledge and quell his hunger to better himself.

It was Russell’s sense of team and trailblazing courage, Ripken’s toughness and preparation and Walsh’s innovation, commitment to philosophy and teaching and managerial skills that set them apart. And all displayed the consistency Presti adores.

They all are different in some ways. But I think they all demonstrate a fortitude and a belief in process that was seen throughout their playing or coaching careers. The focus was always on doing the work, controlling what you can control and allowing the outcome to be predicated on the job you do every day.

My interest is more grounded in their approach to the craft. Their preparation, their willingness to invest deeply into something they have a passion for and their focus on working at that every day and allowing the results to take form as a result of their preparation and their focus.

I’m always looking to learn and looking to gain knowledge from people that have been successful. And their stories are stories that I thought were worthy of studying and trying to learn as much about as I can.

———————————

… expressing some of the most important factors at the root of success for high-achievers everywhere:

1. The love of, and commitment to, life-long learning.

2. The prioritization of Teamwork and outstanding character.

3. The fundamental roles of Toughness, Preparation, Innovation and Passion.

Know and understand these … and you, too, will be well on your way to achieving the truly worthwhile your goals in your life.

What you see below, was first written in this space May 30, 2008:

This is a special team

The defending NBA champions were dethroned last night by the Los Angeles Lakers, who were tabbed by this corner on Dec 25/07 as the “Sleeper Pick” to win the title this season.

In turn, earlier this morning, the following is what yours truly wrote on another blog, 20 second time-out … which, btw, is highly recommended reading for those in search of insight into how the NBA game actually works …

===================================

On December 25, 2007 I identified this year’s Lakers team as my “Sleeper Pick” to WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SEASON, when LA was still in arears of Phoenix in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference and BEFORE they acquired Pau Gasol … THAT’S HOW GOOD I knew these Lakers were this season.

The only team in the West that could have beaten them this year was the Spurs, if San Antonio was completely healthy, which was clearly not the case given the injury to Manu Ginobili (their most dynamic scorer).

Whichever one of Boston or Detroit comes out of the Eastern Conference is going to have its hands full with this Lakers team in the NBA Finals as, right now, this squad is very, very good.

However, of even more interest to me (and, possibly, other astute NBA historians), at the moment, is where their team is going to go NEXT SEASON … when they fully re-integrate ANDREW BYNUM + TREVOR ARIZA into their line-up.

From my perspective, others would do well to carve in stone the forecast I made earlier this spring ['08] that says,

“The 2008-2009 LA LAKERS WILL WIN 70+ games enroute to capturing another of what will eventually be several more NBA championships … if their team remains relatively injury-free.”

What Phil Jackson & Co. have constructed in LA, right now, is a team that will one day go down in NBA history beside the Chicago Bulls (of Michael Jordan) and the old Boston Celtics (of Bill Russell) as arguably the greatest of all-time.

One of the differences between me and other NBA observers is that frequently I can tell you in advance what is going to happen, with a high degree of accuracy, before it does NOT just after-the-fact.

Enjoy the moment for what it is …

“Life is fast and things happen quickly.” - Derek Fisher

===================================

May 19, 2008 … Charles Barkley actually had it right, but was just afraid to step that far out on a limb, in advance, vs Chris Webber & Co.

Fortunately, this corner has no such trepidation.

As was said earlier this week, in this space … it will take a special team to eliminate this group of San Antonio Spurs from the title hunt.

This Lakers’ squad is now that team.

Kudos to Air Force One, the Big Fundamental, TP, GINOBILI!, etc. … the better team won this Western Conference Final (watch ’til the end of the vid-clip).

Now … just as it was told to you, in advance, earlier this season, on Feb 9, 2008, what would eventually happen in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference …

And so It Begins, again … as Phil Jackson now heads toward what will eventually be his (legendary) 10th NBA Championship, as an NBA head coach.

The King is dead. Long live the King.

============================================
============================================

381 days later …

Nuff said.

———-

Related:

NBA Playoffs - 2008 Finals Preview 

History in the making … 1 down

 Bill Russell’s radio interview

“One of the things that I’m really proud of is that … for 12 straight years I was second on the team in assists. Now, could I have been first on the team in assists? I probably could, if I’d wanted to; but, then, what would my Point Guard do if I was going to lead the team in assists> See, I played my game so that my teammates could play their game while we were on the court at the same time.”  - Bill Russell

Mandatory listening for all.

Mr. Russell truly is a special man.

When Bill Russell Writes About Red Auerbach
In the twelfth game of his rookie season, Russell became enraged because Auerbach had Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman trying to post up on offense while Russell stood around, out of position. Auerbach called timeout, and as the other players stood around the coach, Russell sat on the bench, disgusted. Auerbach asked Russell why he wasn’t in the huddle. “Everybody else is playing center tonight,” Russell recalls complaining. “I don’t need to be in the huddle to know how to get out of their way.”

This was a rookie talking back to Red Auerbach, though Russell was an outstanding rookie and Auerbach hadn’t won an NBA title yet. But still. A rookie can’t talk to a coach that way in his twelfth career game. Auerbach thought for a few seconds and then said, “Okay, nobody plays center but Russell.” For Russell, a man who disliked authority figures to that point, it showed Auerbach was willing to listen — and that he would coach to win, not to feed anyone’s ego, including his own. It was the same reason why Auerbach didn’t try to change Russell’s then-revolutionary shot-blocking game when some of his other coaches had urged him to stay on the ground on defense. The shot-blocking worked, and Auerbach understood that. Russell admits that he was too stubborn — and perhaps too suspicious of white authorities as a relatively radical young black man — to have gotten along with Auerbach had the coach been an unreasonable tyrant.

——————————————-

1. There are several reasons why Bill Russell is one of the greatest athletes of all-time. This is merely one of them. 

2. When yours truly writes on-line that the Raptors need to understand that Chris Bosh [as a poor man's version of Bill Russell] is THE Center on their team … not Andrea Bargnani … this is some of what’s involved in understanding how the game of basketball actually works.

i.e. Other Celtics players could certainly ‘post-up’ their individual checks … but … there was NO DOUBT, at least, after this incident, who THE Center was on those great teams for the Boston Celtics.

Those who fail to understand what it means to be THE Center for a basketball team simply DO NOT have a thorough and sophisticated appreciation of the NBA game, yet.

Belated best wishes on your special day, Mr. Russell … which, apparently, was Thursday, Feb 12, 2009.

Hopefully, you will eventually get the chance to see a statue erected in your honour in the City of Boston. 

vs

Brian Schmitz has formally asked the question …

———-

LeBron James vs. Dwight Howard: Who’s the better franchise building block?
If you had to start a franchise, would you take Magic all-star center Dwight Howard, 23, or the Cavs all-star small forward LeBron James, 24?

———-

Dennis Scott has provided his answer …

Scott concedes that, as a shooter, he’s partial to taking the side of the big men. Even as good as LeBron is, “finding a seven-footer with skills is so rare.

“Traditionally, I’d have to go with the big guy — Dwight. At the end of the day, you need that inside presence … for defense, rebounding. He opens everything up and makes the game easier. Not to discredit LeBron, but as good as he is, I think it’s easier finding another LeBron than a Shaq or a Dwight.“

“You can find another Kobe or another D-Wade or another Paul Pierce to put with the big man.”

With so few franchise centers around, Scott says the talent gap favors Howard, especially in the Eastern Conference. Only Yao Ming and the aging Shaq from the West seemingly can stand up to him. Scott also notes that centers also seem to have longer careers.

“Longevity,” Scott said. “Shaq’s still playing and Dwight looks like he’ll be around a long time with the shape he’s in.”

———-

as has Bill Walton …

“I have a bias for great players — no matter the position. Today … I’d have to take LeBron,” Walton said. “He’s a little older than Dwight and right now he’s the better player. But that’s like asking me to chose one of my sons or Jerry Garcia over Neil Young.”

Walton says it all comes down to skill level. He said the Chicago Bulls, who dominated the ’90s with six titles, didn’t have an “elite center.” But “they had enough good, big men. MJ and Scottie (Pippen) and (Dennis) Rodman all could combine to control the paint.

“It’s like Coach [John] Wooden says: ‘It’s not how big you are; it’s how big you play.’”

Walton marvels at LeBron’s freakish size (6-8, 260 pounds), but he says it’s things such as his preparation and deft passing that makes teammates better.

———-

… in a way ↑↑↑ that makes complete sense to this corner.

Specifically, THE CORRECT ANSWER is that Lebron James is the superior basketball player, in every sense imaginable …

Including, at least:

* Shooting off the catch [2's & 3's]
* Shooting off the dribble [left & right]
* Dribbling [left & right]
* Passing
* Finishing at the rim
* Shooting/Scoring in the Low Post
* Movement without the ball [cuts & slides]
* Screening
* Picking
* Rebounding [defensive & offensive]
* On-ball Defending on the Perimeter
* On-ball Defending in the Interior
* Off-ball Defending on the Perimeter
* Off-ball Defending in the Interior
* Basketball IQ [in general], Offensively, Defensively & Rebounding
* Various Physical attributes [e.g. explosive quickness, agility, strength & size]
* Various Mental attributes [e.g. focus, attention, agility & perception]
* Various Emotional attributes [ e.g. stability, intensity, selfishness/unselfishness, energy & "competitive greatness"]

plus a whole lot more.

and it simply isn’t even a close contest.

That said, there are any number of others in the blogosphere who might well CHOOSE to disagree with the perspective which is shared by Mr. Walton and yours truly.

============================

 Loading ...

============================

Either way … please feel free to share your thoughts on the subject in the comments section.

As of this morning Toronto is 11th in the Eastern Conference Standings with a 15-21/.417 Won-Lost Record.

Raptors fans everywhere …

including those who frequent RaptorsRepublic.com, Arsenalist’s old site, AltRaps.com, Raptorstalk.com, and From Deep, etc. …

were told by yours truly during the off-season and, then, throughout the pre-season:

* Exactly what would happen with the Raptors this season had Jermaine O’Neal not been brought to this team, in the first place … i.e. see how much better the mice have ‘run’, since he’s been absent from the line-up;

* What would happen to the team’s Rebounding Differential if O’Neal was the only addition to the core rotation and the appropriate adjustments were not made with the role of other Raptors, as well, e.g. Jamario Moon, Joey Graham, Kris Humphries, Anthony Parker, Jason Kapono and Andrea Bargnani;

* Who exactly Andrea Bargnani is, as a Perimeter Big, that can shoot the 3, defend an opponent’s Power-based Big on the block, keep his own check off the offensive boards, with a highly serviceable physical/mean/remorseless streak to his personality/individual game [ala Bill Laimbeer];

and,

* Who exactly Chris Bosh is, as Low-Mid Post Big that: [i] Can abuse his check when he faces up in the post; [ii] Can create open shots for his teammates … if the team’s offense is allowed to run THROUGH him in this Central Hub location; [iii] Is a solid interior defender … if he’s allowed to play behind his check on the block without having to work to a Half or Full Front position [only being asked to occupy his check from behind by rooting him off his desired sweet spot and then providing interior HELP & Shot-blocking elsewhere for his teammates [ala The Great Man, himself, Mr. Russell]; [iv] Can be a terrific REBOUNDER, when he FOCUSES his energy on this specific aspect of the game and uses his length and quickness to maximum advantage; AND, [v] Is a character guy upon whom a NBA franchise CAN BE BUILT, Steadfast and Mature beyond his years.

- Moving TJ Ford was excellent.
- Acquiring Jermaine O’Neal, in return, was not.
- Losing Rasho Nesterovic, as a highly professionl back-up Big, was unnecessary.
- Losing the No. 17 [overall] 2008 Draft Pick was unnecessary.
- Losing Jorge Garbajosa was unnecessary.
- Keeping Jason Kapono while allowing Carlos Delfino to leave, even temporarily, was not a sound move.
- Adding Hassan Adams was not a sound move.
- Going to training camp with only 13 players was not a sound move.
- Adding Roko Ukic was a sound move.
- Adding Will Solomon was cost effective.
- Adding Jake Voskuhl is a sound move.
- Moving Hassan Adams for a 2nd Rd Pick is a sound move.

Under either Sam Mitchell or Jay Triano, as is, the Raptors are a Middle-of-the-Pack team in the Eastern Conference. There are a number of these teams, in this conference, at the moment, including Miami, New Jersey, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, Indiana and Charlotte.

Where the Raptors go from here, however, will be determined by the commitment of MLSE to do what’s necessary to build a high calibre NBA team in Toronto and the Basketball Acumen of the President/GM, Bryan Colangelo.

The pieces have been in place in Toronto for many moons now … they have just been wasted, to this point, that’s all, largely by mediocre/”average” management of the available resources.

Yours truly sincerely hopes that this changes, moving forward here.

By keeping Bosh, Calderon, and Bargnani together and adding other solid, young, athletic, under-the-radar but great character guys … e.g. Rodney Carney and Chris Douglas-Roberts, or Luc Richard Mbah A Moute, or Joey Dorsey, or Roy Hibbert, etc. [who were all available this past off-season] … gradually through the draft, when CB4 is in HIS prime years [i.e. 27/28-35, or so], there is no legitimate reason whatsoever this team SHOULD BE anything but an Upper Echelon outfit in the NBA.

Just because the Raptors blew the chance they had to get it right, back in Feb/2006 … doesn’t mean they HAVE to blow it again.

Those who are able to watch this video clip and then try to blame the Captain of the Toronto Raptors for the current state of affairs with this team simply indicate their own lack of basketball acumen and sophistication: 

Although this young man can definitely score the ball, in this League, he is not a Prime Time scorer, per se.

What he is, at 24 years of age, in his 5th NBA season, is wise beyond his years, and made of championship material.

1. Find him the right teammates to play beside … like Jose Calderon, for example;

2. Use him at his best position, which is CENTER;

3. Make him focus on his individual strengths, as a person and a player … which include his intelligence, his imagination, his curiousity, his sense of team, his Rebounding, his off-the-ball Defense, his Shot-blocking, his transition game, his quickness and his agility;

4. Help him to better understand his place within the history of the game, and where it is he fits today within the panoramic landscape of Big Men … like Russell, Reed, Cowens, Hayes, Walton, Sikma, Abdul-Jabbar, Moses, Parrish, Laimbeer, Olajuwon, Robinson and Duncan … each one an unique center-piece for a championship team;

and what you will end up with is an extended run in the upper echelon of the NBA … if you really do know what you’re doing, in terms of building a TOP NOTCH organization, from the gound floor up, in the world’s best professional basketball league.

Fail to heed these words, however … and, instead, ask/demand/expect of him to be something which he is not … and it will simply be Just Another Lost Opportunity for the Toronto Raptors Basketball Club.

Players like this … with this sort of ability, stability and strength of character … only come around every so often Where Amazing Happens!