Selling the Game: Why it's OK to Call Deron Williams the Best PG in the NBA + Why Kobe Bryant is the Deadliest Clutchiest Winnerest Cold-Bloodedest Player on the Planet
by olympicmike on May 4, 2010 4:01 AM PDT
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Yeah, that's right. I'm the best. Just ask Mark Jackson.
So I haven't been watching as much of the NBA Playoffs this year as I have in years past. It's not that I don't want to, it's just that with a six month old baby girl, a pretty busy season at work, my band recording an album, and did I mention the new baby? Yeah, it hasn't been easy to get some quiet time in front of the TV lately. Even with my limited playoff viewing there are a few things I'm absolutely certain of. One of those things is that Deron Williams is the best point guard in the NBA. At least that's what the broadcasters keep telling me...
Okay, time to come clean. I don't think that Deron Williams is the best PG in the league. In fact I couldn't help but be irritated by the broadcasters going on and on about how great he was when I believe so firmly that CP3 is not only the best PG in the league, but has a chance to become one of the best ever. In fact it seems like whatever game I happen to be watching has the best something in the NBA. The best young player in the NBA!! The best big man in the NBA!! The best scorer in the NBA!! The best sixth man in the NBA!! The best PG in the NBA!! Never mind if the night before the same claim was made about a different player. Come on!! What kind of analysis is this? I know I wasn't the only getting annoyed by this. Check out GSoMer GovernorStephCurry's fanpost on the subject. Then I remembered something from my early days in sales:
These people aren't here to educate us, they are here to sell us something. And while the level of analysis we get from your average NBA broadcaster might be... uh... lacking, they are actually pretty good salespeople. They follow a couple of the basic rules pretty well. Hyperbole (within reason) is your friend, so add some exclamation points and if a guy is top ten in the league, call him top five, or top three. So long as it's not demonstrably false you should be fine. "That guy has the best pump fake in the league!" Really? Well, he just had a nice one and no one can really prove that he doesn't... so yeah! That guy does have the best pump fake in the league! You know, if you can debate it, exaggerate it. Am I right?
Generally speaking, make people feel good about what they are buying. If you are setting aside three hours to watch an NBA playoff game you don't want to hear about how the best point guard in the world is already on vacation, you want to believe that you are watching the best PG in the NBA... DERON WILLIAMS!!! Well, unless you are watching a Celtics game, then you just might hear that "Nobody talks about Rondo, but this kid could be the best point guard in the NBA!" But really, who cares? If you want to have a serious debate about this stuff you have places like GSoM where other people are happy to trade hundreds of comments with you trying to get to the heart of the matter. In the mean time you can treat the playoffs like you do a car salesman when you go on a test drive with absolutely no intention to buy (you know you've done this, or at least been with someone who's done this before) just sit back, enjoy and have a good sense of humor about the ridiculous things that come out of their mouths. Which brings me to...
Kobe Bryant is the Deadliest Clutchiest Winnerest Cold-Bloodedest Player on the Planet!!!
So for the last few years it's been the company line that Kobe Bryant is the best player on the planet. You've heard it countless times from countless analysts and broadcasters. Of course now the LeBronephant in the room is that Kobe is clearly not the best player in the NBA. In fact looking back he was probably never the best player in the league, but like i said above, if you can debate it exaggerate it. The NBA was able to get away with promoting him as the best in the league because nobody was clearly better than he was, at least not to the casual fan. Unfortunately for the NBA's marketing department those days are over. LeBron is the man. He is definitely the best player in the league and he looks like he may be getting ready to make a run at the legend of MJ in the next few years.
But what about Kobe? The guy is a team player. I don't mean on the court, I mean as a business man. Dude changed his jersey number for no apparent reason just so that the millions of KB8 jerseys hanging in closets around the country would instantly become obsolete. He single handedly sent the greater LA area rushing to their nearest NBA store to get with the times. You're welcome Mr. Stern. So have fun as you listen to the guys broadcasting the playoffs, hosting Sportscenter, and filling 24 hours of NBAtv trip all over themselves to make Kobe feel special. Even if most NBA broadcasters can no longer call him the best player on the planet while keeping a straight face, they can find plenty of nice things to say about him. He's the most skilled!! The best closer!! Cold Blooded!! That man is clutch!! Seriously though, did you see that shot he hit to put away the Thunder?
Oh, that didn't go in? Well, he sure set up Gasol with that one. That guy really knows how to make his teammates better... even when he misses.
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But Barkley said so!
I’m not sure I disagree with Barkley that Deron is better at this point, but he definitely weakened his credibility by picking Rose as the third best PG in the league. Rose? Are you kidding me, Chuck?
I warmed up to Rose watching the Bulls/Cavs series, but no way is he better than Nash, Billups or Kidd right now. Maybe next year, as he’s still improving, while they’re all pretty close to the edge of the cliff, career-wise. But chances are he won’t be as good as any of them in their prime.
Also … whither Raj Rondo? That dude is still criminally underrated for the fact that he doesn’t hoist up a ton of shots. Last night he absolutely dominated the Best Team in the NBA — 13 points, 4 boards, 19 assists, while holding Mo Williams to 1-9 from the floor. There aren’t many 6’1" guys who put his kind of stamp on the game, on offense, defense, and the glass. I still think Rondo’s domination of DFish was one of the biggest reasons the Celtics were able to take down the Lakeshow in the ’07/08 finals. My rankings …
Paul
Deron
Rondo
Nash
Billups
Kidd
Next season I think Curry moves up to #4 or 5 on that list. (Yes, by “think,” I kinda mean “hope.”)
BTW … great diary, OM. Keep ’em coming!
There will be no extra point!
Next season I think Curry moves up to #4 or 5 on that list.
Yeah and Tyreke, that Collison kid on the hornets, and Jennings are probably right behind him, Nash, Billips and Kidd are getting pretty old.
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on May 4, 2010 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions
I still think Chris Paul is the best point guard in the NBA. Over the last three years, he has been the better point guard. If you want to just look at the 2009-10 season, then maybe you have a case for Williams. Still, I think Paul is better. I’m not just going to call Williams the better point guard because his teammates are better.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on May 4, 2010 6:10 AM PDT reply actions
Yep...
I’m sure that the league will be pushing CP3 hard again next year. Right now they are following another rule from sales 101 – Sell what you have. No use hyping up Chris Paul when you can’t deliver the product until November.
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
by olympicmike on May 4, 2010 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
congrats on the baby
…i have a 5 month old daughter myself
Cryogenically freeze me and wake me up when Ellison has made an impact on the team!
it's the best
can’t wait til she is old enough to watch Warriors games with me
Cryogenically freeze me and wake me up when Ellison has made an impact on the team!
My son is 4
He’s been to a couple games, but he’s still too young for it to really hold his attention. Every night that the playoffs are on the tv he comes in and says “How many points do the Warriors have?” and I have to break it to him that our team isn’t very good right now and can’t play in the playoffs.
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
Good post Mike.
Stephen Curry is the future.
We need to save this planet. Go Green, recycle, ride public transportation, use cantines. Anything you can do!
by GovernorStephCurry on May 4, 2010 6:46 AM PDT reply actions
Thanks
You did kinda inspire it. Well, you and the NBA broadcast teams.
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
I don’t really get that. I’m a firm believer that Kobe is vastly overrated.
Stephen Curry is the future.
We need to save this planet. Go Green, recycle, ride public transportation, use cantines. Anything you can do!
by GovernorStephCurry on May 4, 2010 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Haha
Did you even read the article? I linked to your fanpost and I spent two paragraphs talking about how Kobe is overrated by the media.
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
Ooops. Reading Comprehension fail. Thank You for the linkeage, now that i can fully take it in.
Stephen Curry is the future.
We need to save this planet. Go Green, recycle, ride public transportation, use cantines. Anything you can do!
by GovernorStephCurry on May 4, 2010 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Thank You so much. That was really nice of you.
Stephen Curry is the future.
We need to save this planet. Go Green, recycle, ride public transportation, use cantines. Anything you can do!
by GovernorStephCurry on May 4, 2010 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Kobe could be the best ever- Jamal Crawford and Sjax have transformed their careers and their teams since leaving Golden State. The average fan likes simple spins and doesn’t want too much scrutiny in their evaluations, PPG and RPG are fine with them. I think the disparity between the real game and what makes good copy is probably greater in basketball than any other sport.
Yes congrats on the little one.
Mike a little while back, you asked another poster if he had been to the Final Mix in Campbell. I’ve done some mixing down there with—-Rick Glaze/ sp.? Anyway, just thought I’d mention.
by War Years Legacy on May 4, 2010 8:58 AM PDT reply actions
Steve Glaze
Yeah, I worked with Steve for a while. What kind of music were you doing there?
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
My own originals
Hard to describe, elements of Rock, Folk, Jazz.-I play electric/ accoustic 12 string in unusual tunings , I tune the " 2 " b" string in 2nds, 4ths and 5ths in this project..It was about 4 years ago. Steve was good.
by War Years Legacy on May 5, 2010 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Sounds pretty cool.
That was right about the time I stopped working there so I probably didn’t have a chance to hear your stuff. Good luck man!
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
Kobe is not the best player
This should have dead a while ago , but he’s still top 5. Also I think people are loving DWill so much this year cause CP3 has been out, when he comes back we won’t hear this anymore
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
Attacking others only attacks yourself
Kobe isn't top 5
he isn’t even top 1 on his own team.
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Of course now the LeBronephant in the room is that Kobe is clearly not the best player in the NBA
I got a kick out of that line.
Also, that sequence (Game 6) is just a perfect example of Kobe – iso’s 1 on 1 to settle for a contest jumpshot….at least he worked a little to get closer, but still was 15 feet out. It’s what he does, what I’ve been saying all along. Those aren’t quality shots…if they were, that would be a good play earlier in the game, too. They don’t run it earlier, because it’s not. It sure looks good and helps the NBA sell their product when he hits it, though. I love the picture you posted of him taking that shot….man these guys are great athletes, look at the elevation Kobe is getting on his jump shot. Must be nice being 6’6 and able to do that…..so jealous.
You're right.
Kobe should take a page from Tyreke’s book about how to get quality shots. Haha…now let me hear it… :)
by caseycheesecake on May 4, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Tyreke
Shot Att. eFG% Ast’d Blk’d Pts
Jump 47% .341 15% 5% 5.2
Close 51% .573 24% 9% 9.4
Dunk 2% 1.000 36% 0% 0.6
Tips 0% 1.000 0% 0% 0.1
Inside 53% .590 24% 9% 10.1
Kobe
Shot Att. eFG% Ast’d Blk’d Pts
Jump 77% .462 39% 2% 15.4
Close 20% .545 38% 12% 4.6
Dunk 2% .923 69% 5% 1.0
Tips 0% .000 0% 0% 0.0
Inside 23% .581 44% 11% 5.6
Stats from 82games.com for this past regular season. I think you just might be on to something. I wish we had TS% instead of just eFG%, wonder how that changes things. If Tyreke can somehow become more effective on his jump shots, he could be a scoring machine. Wade and Lebron only took 37% and 36% of their shots “inside” this past season, for instance. It would be cool if I had a database to examine of this stuff, but just anecdotally (and by watching Tyreke), it’s pretty obvious he does a good job getting to the rim, and that’s definitely something Kobe should be trying to do more of, especially in clutch possessions. Definitely a good sign for Tyreke going forward.
Note: My tables were nicely formatted in the text box I’m typing in right now, but are a mess in the preview, not sure how to fix them….
by Missing Barry on May 4, 2010 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Note: My tables were nicely formatted in the text box I’m typing in right now, but are a mess in the preview, not sure how to fix them….
Wouldn’t it be awesome if SBN had a “create table” feature next to the “add image” button? I’m not sure how hard it would be to set up, but it seems like it would be a pretty convenient feature considering how many stats are tossed around throughout all of SBN.
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
Oh my god yes
That needs to happen right now.
by Reverend_Randy on May 4, 2010 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
He was looking at shot selection
Reke not only led the league, but took over half of his shots at the rim.
by Reverend_Randy on May 5, 2010 11:45 PM PDT up reply actions
iso’s 1 on 1 to settle for a contest jumpshot
Man, I totally did this at the end of a basketball game last night. After I missed the shot, I thought to myself…..damn, I just pulled a Kobe. And now I’m angry about my poor decision.
by Missing Barry on May 5, 2010 6:39 AM PDT up reply actions
After I missed the shot, I thought to myself…..damn, I just pulled a Kobe. And now I’m angry about my poor decision.
But look at the bright side, you just made a ton of money playing a kids game.
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on May 5, 2010 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions
I wish. We actually have to pay $20 in ref fees a game in addition to $45 a person to sign up for the league. :(
by Missing Barry on May 5, 2010 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I wish. We actually have to pay $20 in ref fees a game in addition to $45 a person to sign up for the league
haha, then you haven’t quite got that kobe thang down yet.
$20 a game would not be worth it for me, I’d be worn out in 5 minutes and waste the rest of the money while trying to breathe
Lights please, lights please, turn off the lights.
by Skeptic con Urquell on May 5, 2010 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions
It’s $20 a game for the team, not the individual, so it’s not that bad. We just rotate it, I expect I’ll only pay it once.
by Missing Barry on May 6, 2010 7:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Haha
When I read your first post I thought to myself “Man, maybe I should apply to ref in MB’s league. $20 a player is a lot of money”
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
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