[RP McMurphy]

A lot of times I hear people say, that a team should bring in a veteran to "mentor" a young player. For example, last year some people defended Kevin Ollie's signing by saying Cleveland needed a veteran mentor who could teach LeBron James how to play point guard. Does this sort of thing ever work?

Maybe every once in awhile, but usually, I think it's a stupid idea. If you want a mentor, hire an assistant coach, like the Rockets did with Patrick Ewing. Players get better by working with their coaches, and by working during the offseason with people like Tim Grover. Veteran players usually are interested in playing, they're rarely interested in teaching younger players how to play the game.

Zoran Planinic didn't do squat this year for the Nets, even though he had Jason Kidd to learn from. If the Pacers have Reggie Miller, how come no other Pacer could hit an outside shot last year.

Is there ever a situation where bringing in a "veteran mentor" is a good idea, and why do fans suggest the idea so often?

[Pan Mengtu]

Overall I say it doesn't do squat... but on some occasions it does. Like when Terry Porter was mentoring Tony Parker. He was pretty raw his first year, now he's an above average point guard.

And Arroyo. He used to be nothing like he is today. Go find some tapes of him with the Raptors if you can find them. Or in PR. He's had a complete turnaround, thanks to Stockton and Jackson.

[BG7]

its a bunch of bull****

[guyinabox]

Arroyo would play defense every day on Stockon that what made him better he said



PG is a very important position it helps to have a veteran to teach the rookie something

So i would agree

[spiraling]

Signing a mentor is a bunch of bs. Look at krame brown he played with Jordan for a few seasons and he still haven't done jack. When I use to watch the wizard's game I always see Jordan telling Brown what to do and where to go, but that sh!t don't work unless the guy is born with basketball intelligence and the will to learn. Also different players have different styles and by teaching someone a different style might mess up their game even more.

[Hibachi!]

Originally posted by spiraling!
Signing a mentor is a bunch of bs. Look at krame brown he played with Jordan for a few seasons and he still haven't done jack. When I use to watch the wizard's game I always see Jordan telling Brown what to do and where to go, but that sh!t don't work unless the guy is born with basketball intelligence and the will to learn. Also different players have different styles and by teaching someone a different style might mess up their game even more.

Yes because Kwame can learn so much from Michael Jordans post up game? I think it works to a certain extent... But a veteran isn't going to make a player that much better...

[roastedtoaster]

olajuwon learned much from moses malone....when moses wasnt even on the team anymore. just called the guy up for some 1 on 1 sessions in a gym. it can work.

[agoo101284]

I think it depends on the players. If you have the right guys involved, it can help. Another thing that I really believe in, is that having a vocal veteran presence who plays and behaves the way that players should play and behave is a great help.

If you have a young player who is receptive to learning from the vet, and a vet who has/had a skill set similar to what the young guy has/will have, and is willing to spend time with the kid to teach him, then it works.

For example, Kevin Ollie can't teach LeBron James a damn thing because they'll never have similar skill sets. However, a pairing like Reggie Miller and a young Richard Hamilton would work because they both create shots off the ball and then hit them. Miller would be able to help Hamilton by teaching him all the little tricks needed to get open easier and to draw fouls.

[Hibachi!]

I think when people say they want to add a veteran to the team, I think they are thinking not to help individual players... But to help the team... Sort of like what Vlade did for the Kings.

[HKF]

Originally posted by roastedtoaster!
olajuwon learned much from moses malone....when moses wasnt even on the team anymore. just called the guy up for some 1 on 1 sessions in a gym. it can work.

Olajuwon was balling with Moses Malone before he played College ball down in Houston. He had been mentored by Moses long before he got to the league.

[Debt Collector]

I think it works more often than not, and if it doesnt, you have nothing to lose esp. if that vet is a contributor. KG often cites Sam Mitchell as a great role model for him on/off the court. dont know if he was the man who showed KG the art of the low blow, but influential nonetheless

[Casual]

It works, but the main thing is that the veteran has to be committed to helping the player he's supposed to be teaching. Planinic isn't going to learn anything from Kidd if Kidd isn't making an effort to teach him. There has to be a connection.