[hobojoe]

I've come to the conclusion that low post positioning is the most underrated skill in basketball. I've come to this conclusion based on how many times I hear fans complain about certain big men not getting enough shots, or overrating certain big men based on high FG% on limited shots or in limited minutes. The average fan blames the lack of shots and/or touches on the coach, the point guard or anyone but the player himself. People act like it's just a given that any player can just dump themselves onto the block five feet from the hoop every time down and get the same shot whenever they want. It's just not that simple, low post positioning is difficult, especially when you're going up against a big, strong defender. It's a skill, that often times separates the good ones from the great ones.

People don't appreciate that part of a prime Shaq's game. Say what you want about him being lazy or not working hard, he was always one of the best at that. He worked hard for the positioning necessary to get all those thunderous dunks and two foot hooks. That's what separates Tim Duncan from a lot of the talented big men in the league right now. It's what's keeping guys like Al Jefferson and Dwight Howard from being 20+ ppg scorers right now, and why Yao Ming doesn't lead the league in scoring.

Jefferson is right up there as one of the best scorers in the league from the low post when he gets the position. He has great hands and a couple very reliable go to moves. Howard may be the most physically gifted player in the league, and when he gets position down low it shows. Yao Ming has great touch on his turnaround jumpers and his inside shots, but when you push him out of his comfort zone he's no longer going to kill you. Problem is, none of these three can get low post position consistently enough yet to realize their potential based on the skills they already possess. Yao isn't physical enough, Jefferson and Howard haven't figured out how to get the position without picking up offensive fouls/3 second calls consistently. It's a skill they have yet to master, and something that is largely responsible for them being at the level they're currently at as opposed to full blown stars or even superstars.

Appreciate the great low post scorers, and understand what is truly holding back some of these young big men who seem to have all the skills necessary to dominate the post. It's low post positioning, the willingness to work for it and the ability to get it on a consistent basis.

[HKF]

Also give Jefferson and Howard some credit for improving, but they are still young. They will get there.

[Pimped Out]

the most underrated part of basketball is the ability to catch the ball

[o.iatlhawksfan]

I agree with post position, but energy is energy is pretty important as well, imagine Josh Smith, Amare Stoudamire, Tyrus Thomas without energy/hussle. Sometimes thats the missing peaces for someone to reach his potiential

[hobojoe]

Originally Posted by HKF

Also give Jefferson and Howard some credit for improving, but they are still young. They will get there.

Definitely. Jefferson in particular already has terrific post moves, he's just as unstoppable as anyone in the league with good low post position.

Just to add, my point is not to say that coaching/gameplan and the passing abilities and willingness of teammates have nothing to do with it, just that it's not as easy as a lot of people seem to think.

[P-Dub34]

Jefferson will be a 20ppg scorer next year.

[IceMan23and3]

Passing. Some players pass to get rid of the ball, some do it to make a play. The latter makes your team win.

[Kuskid]

Originally Posted by Pimped Out

the most underrated part of basketball is the ability to catch the ball

Kwame Brown just called you a ****head. And I agree that positioning is what separates Shaq from, well, every other human ever to pick up a basketball. His passing gets overlooked, as well, because he's so good at everything else. If he sucked at every other aspect of basketball, people would just call him a great passing center (hi, old Vlade).

[Zei_Zao_LS]

On that note, Eddy Curry is great at getting position. He's in a great position to get the ball on nearly every play and seals off his defender quite well. That's really the only part of his game that you really see a lot of effort going into though, which is a bit of a problem. Imagine if he worked that hard for rebounds.

[BG7]

Originally Posted by Zei_Zao_LS

On that note, Eddy Curry is great at getting position. He's in a great position to get the ball on nearly every play and seals off his defender quite well. That's really the only part of his game that you really see a lot of effort going into though, which is a bit of a problem. Imagine if he worked that hard for rebounds.

Eddy actually boxes out better than anyone in the league. He clears out 2-3 men on a regular basis, allowing his teammates to get rebounds. Thats one of the reasons the Knicks are a top rebounding team in the league. If he attacked for the board, he could get more personal stats, but what he does there does help the team on the boards.

Eddy, he has the best arsenal of post moves in the league. His problem is that he doesn't use his full arsenal, and will fall in love with one move. His other problem is passing, oh if only he could pass out of a double or triple team like Shaq does. This can be fixed if he works on it with Isiah I guess, because it just seems like slow reaction time of whats going on around him.