JORDAN POOLE NEEDS TO COME OFF OF THE BENCH!!!

Last season the Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship and Jordan Poole was an intrical part of the success. On the other hand, this season they have not been playing up to their potential. The team that they beat in the NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics, are the team playing like champions. When the two faced one another for the first time since the Finals, I wanted to see the true reason for the Warrior's decline.

Ironically, the Golden State Warriors WHIPPED the Boston Celtics, and shut down their high scorer Jason Tatum just like in game 6 of the NBA Finala. In fact, the most recent game looked like what the game 7 would have looked like if the Celtics had been good enough to make it that far. The Splash Brothers 'splashed' and the Warriors kept the lead the final 42 minutes of the game.

For the record, it should have been a tremendous blowout, but thanks to Jordan Poole it was not. Apparently, the Warriors are giving Poole extraordinary leeway because 'big brother' Draymond Green whooped his *ss in the preseason. Poppa Steve Kerr has shown the 'younger son' (Poole) more love in order to be fair, and refrain from showing favoritism amongst his 'kids'.

Just like the typical 'spoiled youngest child' Jordan Poole is taking the parental kindness as a weakness and doing TOO MUCH nonsense. For example, Poppa Steve Kerr is letting him start and play point guard. During the first half alone he shot 7 times without anyone else even touching the basketball. On a team with so much elite firepower only a selfish brat would consider themselve rhe first option so many times. Also, Jordan Poole is literally shooting 43% from the field, and 32% from deep (👎👎) so his actions are just bad basketball.

                      Basketball G.O.A.T

Furthermore, Jordan Poole is not Steph Curry, and he is not even close. Poole took shots that only Steph Curry can make consistently, and missed them atrociously. For the record, Jordan Poole shot airballs, bricks, and even a shot that hit the side of the backboard. It was as if last season's Russell Westbrook had been traded to the Warriors. Yes, that bad.

In conclusion, Jordan Poole was direspected and humiliated earlier in the season by Draymond Green. It is now time to move on, and get back to what works. In the first half Draymond fell and Poole was quick to offer him a helping hand. They have obviously moved on like brothers do. So should the entire team.

Poppa Steve Kerr has love for all of his kids and the team realizes it. Now it is time to make Jordan Poole sleep in his own bed, and go back to being the little brother. The Splash Brothers and Draymond Green are the 'big brothers' in their family - PERIOD. The Warriors need scoring off of the bench in order to be championship level competitive, and that is what Jordan Poole brings to the team. The Warriors will be alright with Steph Curry running the point - TRUST ME!!!

* High IQ players are not born, they are made. If you would like to know what makes a player elite without being more athletic, then click the picture below for more detailed information.

                            High IQ Hoops

JORDAN'S KRYPTONITE

Isiah Thomas retired from the NBA because of injuries. When he played Isiah was a winner of the highest magnitude. After all, how many players can honestly claim that they won a NCAA championship, multiple NBA championships, and been named to two Olympic teams (1980 & 1994 Dream Team 2) in seperate decades?

The ommission of Isiah Thomas onto the Olympic Dream Team was totally unjustified and unexpected. Many attribute this blatant disrespect to Michael Jordan's refusing to play alongside Thomas. Apparently, Michael Jordan didnt want Isiah Thomas on the team because he felt threatened, or as pay back for several yeats of  playoff beatings and losses he experienced at tbe hands of Isaih and the Pistons

Isaiah Thomas clearly deserved the opportunity. If Isiah had replaced any one of them, including Michael Jordan, then the Dream Team still would have won the Olympic gold medal. 

* Isiah Thomas was able to excel in basketball on the highest level, not because of his height or athleticism, but because of his skills and high basketball IQ. You can play smarter, and more skillfully, immediately if you know what to do. For more information click the link below.

                           High IQ Hoops

WHO WAS DRAFTED THE HIGHEST?

In 1987 Mark Jackson, Steve Alford, and Mugsey Bogues were drafted into the NBA. Two were first round picks, and the other was a high second round pick. Some of you may not know about all three players, or if they could even play. Trust me, all three could ball!!! 

First of all, Mark Jackson was the floor general for legendary coach Lou Carniseca at St. John's University. Also, Mark Jackson is 5th on the NBA All-time assist list, ahead of icon and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson. Jackson is also the previous coach of the Splash Brothers and the Golden State Warriors. Mark Jackson is currently an NBA analyst on ESPN.

Steve Alford played in the NBA for four seasons, and he is currently a college basketball coach. In 1987 he was the man!!! Alford was a 2-time NCAA All-American, and he had been selected to play with future NBA Hall of Famers on the 1984 Olympic team that won the gold medal while only a sophomore in college. In addition, Steve Alford and the Indiana Hoosiers had just won the NCAA championship while playing for legendary coach Bobby Knight.

                  Word Art Coloring Book

Tyrone "Mugsey" Bogues was a point guard out of Wake Forrest. In 1986 he won a gold medal at the FIBA World Championships as a member of the USA national team. In addition, at 5'3" Mugsey Bogues is the shortest player to ever play in the NBA. 

Be advised, Mugsey Bogues was far from a novelty act. He was a tremendous defender, and facilitator that played in the NBA for fourteen (14) seasons. In addition, Mugsey was in the top for seven assists over six consecutive seasons, top ten for steals during three of those seasons, and Bogues earned 146 career double-doubles.

BONUS QUESTION: Which one of these three former players was drafted in the second round? 

* The Top 30 players of every position have been uncovered with the use of the Player Valuation Numeric (PVN). It is both accurate and objective. In fact, its results are accurate to a tenth of a point. Would you like to know if the NBA got the All-time Top 75 correct? How about whether Kobe Bryant really was more valuable than Lebron James? For the answers to these questions, and many more, click the link below. 

                     Basketball G.O.A.T

5 WAYS TO GET OPEN FOR SHOTS

5 WAYS TO GET OPEN FOR SHOTS 🏀

The best players can make shots seemingly with defenders draped all over them. They manage to do this because they create enough space to attempt and unimpeded shot. Below or five techniques that may be used by players to create the space to score when needed.

                                MOVE

Be advised, Defenders routinely lose sight of their assignments, slack off, stop guarding, or simply 'cherry pick' for easy baskets when they should be focused on defense. In addition, many competitors are poorly conditioned, so late in games the well conditioned athletes that keep moving can take advantage of them. Just like cars, their defenders 'run out of gas' chasing them, and are unable to adequately defend in the clutch at the end of games.

                      CHANGE OF PACE

When using the change of pace method an offensive player can be in motion, ala Steph Curry. They can then stop on a dime, go in another direction, and receive the basketball for an open shot. The same player could also trot for several steps, then take off in a full sprint and receive a pass for an uncontested layup. These are but two of the various ways pace can be altered for an offensive advantage. The more aggressive the defender is the more susceptible they are to being beaten with random change of pace maneuvers.

                          BASKET CUTS

Basket cuts can be done in various manners. A player can run behind a defender towards the basket in order to receive the basketball for a layup. This is called a "back door cut". Further, a player can run in one direction, making an abrupt stop, and then sprint in the opposite direction at an unspecified angle for an easy ball reception from a teammate. This is referred to as a "v cut". V cuts are hard to defend because opponents can only react to open court movements, thus limiting their defensive effectiveness. Scorers must be aware of their teammates with the ball, and continually place themselves in a position to receive a pass.

                       Pit Bull Defense

                        

                            SET PICKS

By consistently screening for teammates high IQ players also set themselves up for opportunities to get open and often  uncontested shots. This can occur in two ways; after a pic is used, the screener can pivot or 'roll' to the towards the basket for a return pass and potential bucket; or during the screen his defender may get caught 'cheating' or attempting to double team the ball handler. The double teamed ball handler need only pass the ball to the screener for an open shot or drive to the basket. Each technique can happen at a moment's notice once teammates develop chemistry. Teammates wise enough to appreciate the subtle effectiveness of these moves should immediately add them to their repertoires.

                            USE PICKS

One of the simplest ways to get open shots is to use pics, or screens. Every player knows of them but they are not used nearly enough in today's game. Furthermore, double pics and down screens seem to be a thing of the past. These pics require patience and selflessness, but they are extremely effective when utilized.

Please note, there is an established process of setting pics that succeeds like clockwork. First, make eye contact with the screening teammate. Although non-verbal, this type of communication works well and it's not easily noticed by most offenders. Next, the potential scorer should run past the screener as closely as possible. If a defender is not allowed enough room to go over the screen then he has only two other options; go below it or follow  the player and be out of preferred defensive position. This creates the desired space needed for the offensive player to receive the ball and shoot an uncontested shot, which is the objective.

These strategies work extremely well and can be done consistently without fear of failure. In fact, players that want to be high scorers can use these five techniques interchangeably every game and achieve consistent success.

* Hopefully,  you like these tips and see their potential effectiveness if added to your game. These and several more 'high powered' techniques are contained within the pages of How To Get Buckets. The players that are not afraid to read will benefit ENORMOUSLY by getting a copy. For more information click the link below. 

                     How To Get Buckets

THE PLAYER VALUATION NUMERIC IS HERE!!!

The Player Valuation Numeric (PVN) first appeared in the 2020 publication Basketball G.O.A.T.  The PVN accurately calculates player value unlike any other basketball formula ever created. Most importantly, it only uses "objective" integers derived from actual on court production. All "subjective" awards or accollades are ommitted on purpose.

For the record, countles player debates immediately shift to how many MVP awards, All-star appearances, or "All-whatever" awards one player may have in comparison to another. These awards are all decided by voting or human opinions. This makes all of them "subjective", and therefore USELESS when judging players on their individual merits. 

For example, Bill Russell (R.I.P) won the NBA MVP award at the end of the 1961-62 season after leading the Boston Celtics to consecutive championships. Russell averaged a career high 18.9 ppg as well as an incredible 23.6 rpg that season. His PVN score was an awesome  48.0. On the other hand, this was also the same season that Oscar "Big O" Robertson averaged a triple double for the entire season and his PVN score was 54.7. No one matched the Big O's feat for 55 years!!! Hold on, it gets worse.

In the 1961-62 season Elgin Baylor averaged a husky 38.3 ppg, 18.6 rpg, and 4.6 assists for a tremendous PVN score of 62.0.  If that was not enough, in this same season Wilt Chamberlain averaged a NBA record of 50.4 ppg, 25.7 rpg, while shooting over 50% from the field. Chamberlain had a record PVN score of 79.5 for the season even though both steals and blocked shots were not recorded at the time. Yes, Wilt Chambetlain's PVN score would have been MUCH HIGHER!!!

                         High IQ Hoops

Bill Russell clearly won the MVP award that year because of the championship victory. The NBA MVP voters basically gave Bill Russell too much credit for his team's victory. The fact that Russell was playing with 8 other HOFs had more to do with the Celtic success than the MVP voters wanted to admit. For the record, PVN scores 1.0 or less apart are debatable, not those 6.0 (Robertson), 14.0 (Baylor), or 31.5 (Chamberlain) greater. Bill Russell should not have finished in the Top 3 for the MVP award that season, and a  blind man can now see it.

Be advised, the Player Valuation Numeric only utilizes five integers, addition, and subtraction so it is simple to use. Once you understand each concept of the formula then the hardest part is to find the input for each player. 

PVN = Base Numeric + Excellence Points + Premium Points - Weak Points

The first integer is the Base Numeric, or the sum of each player's per game averages for points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocked shots.

The Base Numeric is next added with the Excellece Points. There are six Excellence Points that can increase a player's value.

1) Field Goal Percentage - over 50%

2) Three Point Percentage - over 40%

3) Foul Shooting Percentage - over 90%

4) Blocked Shots per game - 3.0 or greater

5) Steals per game - 2.0 or greater

6) Turnovers per game - 2.0 or less

At this point value differences between players begin to stand out.

.                     Basketball G.O.A.T

                 

Next, Premium Points are added to the growing sum. Premium Points are earned with an All-time accomplishment. For example, Michael Jordan received a Premium Point because he owns the record for career points per game scoring. In addition, premium points are awarded for each championship won, and a half point for making it to the NBA Finals if a team loses. The "losers" are conference champions and that has value. In total there are 47 possible categories of Premium Points, and they only go to the elite and/or winners. 

Finally, Weak Points are subtracted from the PVN sum that has been calculated. Weak Points are self explanatory. They are "nonachievements" that players would sooner forget. For example Lebron James earned a Weak Point when he passed Karl Malone for the NBA All-time turnover lead. Also, Kobe Bryant earned a Weak Point for missing the most shots in NBA history. There are 16 Weak Points and most fans would be shocked that HOFs and legends primarily have them.

PLEASE NOTE: Karl Malone's PVN score would go up a point because he would no longer have the Weak Point subtracted from his total.

In conclusion, the Player Valuation Numeric is accurate, objective, and the legitimate answer for solving the myriad of "Who is best" and "Who is the G.O.A.T"  debates that go on daily. Before I even presented the formula to the public I had several former high level players and coaches check it. No flaws found. I also left the PVN in the hands of two sports minded math teachers of "gifted" HS students, as well as a legitimate genius (perfect SAT MATH score). No flaws found. This speaks volumes because the gifted young genius' hobby was correcting teachers, and he was very good at it!!! Those that do not accept the Player Valuation Numeric as the real deal are simply in denial because they will not and cannot find any flaws either. 

* For even more detailed information click the link below. 

                 Player Valuation Numeric

WHO JUMPED HIGHER - WILT CHAMBERLAIN OR MICHAEL JORDAN?

Michael "Air" Jordan is an NBA icon known for playing above the rim. For decades kids and players have been buying his "Air Jordan" brand sneakers hoping to put them on and magically "Be Like Mike". So many that he is the first professional player to become a billionaire. This speaks volumes because Jordan did not earn anywhere half that amount via his NBA salary.

Wilt Chamberlain played many years before Michael Jordan and his accomplishments are so incredible that fans come up wirh excuse as to why any of it could be possible. Fortunately, virtually ALL of Wilt Chamberlains credentials are verifiable and on video. Wilt still has 72 NBA records for a real reason.

Coming out of college and into the NBA combine Michael Jordan recorded a 42 inch vertical leap, not the other nonsense currently on blog sites. His 42" vertical was amazing and the same as Julius "Dr.J Evring's. This also made sense considering David "Skywalker" Thompson (44"), Dominique "Human Highlight Film" Wilkins, and Darrell "Dr. Dunkenstein" Griffith were all clearly on a vertical level above Jordan. In fact, at one point Darrell Griffith was in the Guiness Book of World Records for the highest vertical jump at 48 inches.

Ironically, he was tied with Wilt Chamberlain in both rhe Guiness Book records as well as currently in NBA records. How is that possible? Most people never realized that Wilt Chamberlain was a two sport athlete in both high achool and college. His sports were basketball and track & field, more specifically the high jump. 

Currently, Wilt Chamberlain still holds his high school's (Overbrook HS) high jump record when at 6'11" he jumped over a 6'11" bar. Furthermore, in college (Kansas University) Wilt Chamberlain grew to 7' and became a 7' plus high jumper. Consequently he became a two time NCAA high jump champion. Unless someone can prove otherwise this made Wilt Chamberlain the first and only seven foot athlete to ever jump over his own head.

Therefore, despite public perception Michael Jordan could not jump as high as Wilt Chamberlain. His actual recorded vertical was 6 inches lower, and although Jordan has amazing arial highlights, there is not proof that he could jump over his own head (6'6"). MJ jumping an additional six inches is not realistic to believe.

* Athletes that want to jump like Michael Jordan have to be blessed, or they must put in the work just like Michael Jordan did. Fortunately, the jump techniques and workouts that professional dunkers and elite jump athletes use are now available. This can save an athlete countless hours of trial and wrror. For more information click the link below.

                           How To LEAP

TWO YOUNG BALLERS THAT ARE BETTER THAN MOST NBA PLAYERS - RIGHT NOW!!!

Rarely do NBA G-League games get much notice, and never do they outshine the NBA summer league games during the preseason. That is exactly what happened this year, and Victor Membanyana and Scoot Henderson are the two main reasons. 

According to NBA rules a player must turn 19 years old during the calendar year that they are drafted. The only reasons that Scoot Henderson and Victor Wembanyana have not been drafted this season is because they are simply too young. 

The 6'2" Scoot Henderson, an bonafide phenom and 5-star recruit , reclassified in high school and then signed a $1M G-League contract. At the beginning of the season he was still only 17 years old. Henderson is a physically mature scoring point guard that has the 'Mamba Mentality'. Scoot finishes above the rim, and he plays fearlessly. Henderson's game reminds one of a fello Georgia native Anthony Edwards, or a young Russell Westbrook - RIGHT NOW!!!

On the other hand, Victor Wembanyana is 7'4" and the consensus number 1 pick for the 2023 NBA draft. He has a very accurate three point stroke, excellent ball handling ability for someone his size, and he knows how to play the game. In addition, although he is tall and slim, Victor Wembanyana is not weak or frail by any means. 

                         Bad B.I.T.C.H

Also, Victor Wembanyana is a superior rim protector that is quick to slam dunk on someone inside. Wembayana has been playing professional basketball in France since he was 16 years old, so the physical grind and contact is nothing new to him. Unlike Chet Holmgren, this years number 2 pick (and 'Unicorn'), Victor Wembanyana would be a legit contender for an All-star selection this season.

This week, these two future NBA stars faced off in a G-League game and neither disappointed. Scoot Henderson scored 28 points (11-21), and his team won the game. Henderson was electrifying and made dazzling moves while attacking the basket and the 7'4" Wembanyana.

Wembanyana's team Metropolitain 92 traveled 5000 miles fron France to compete against the G-League's Ignite and Scoot Henderson. The crowd was not disappointed because they saw more than they bargained for. Wembanyama dropped 37 points on Henderson and the Ignite. He hit spinning drives, step back jump shots, follow up dunks, and went 7-11 from three point range. In addition, during one play Wembanyana caught the ball just inside of the three point line, dribbled once, took off and tried to dunk on Shareef O'Neal (Shaq's son) but got fouled. This young man has the size and athleticism of a young Wilt Chamberlain or Lew Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar). Rate air!!!

In addition, three of Henderson's 'misses' were actually Wembanyana blocks. He blocked two of Henderson's layups and sent one of his three pointer into the stands. Wembanyana finished with 5 blocks, and several shots did not make it into the basket because of his presence. Victor Wembanyana can become a legitimate NBA force on both ends of the court. Ja Morant, Chris Paul, and DeMarcus Cousins were in attendance and all left impressed.

In conclusion, the NBA Rookie of the Year award will go to someone just as it does each season. One thing that can be said is that this season's winner will not have to face the same type of competition as next season's. Victor Wembanyana, Scoot Henderson, the recently injured (season) Chet Holmgren, and next season's NCAA Player of the Year will all be duking it out in 2024 for the award.

* True player value can now be calculated accurately, and objectively with the use of the Player Valuation Numeric (PVN). The PVN uses each players actual production, as well as specific accomplishments (ex: championships), to compute the value each player brings to the court. It is so easy to understand that even a 5th grader can use it. For more detailed information click the link below. 

                Player Valuation Numeric