Special Teams

[Chuck Newhouse]

I have often wondered if a team chose to build the back end of it's bench by putting together a special teams line instead of just assembling well rounded back-up players if they could have more success.

What I mean by this is gearing 5 players to specifically train together to play together as a line like in hockey. You could choose these players based on unique criteria and just make sure they knew each other inside out, plus run specifically scripted plays geared to their strengths and even a handful of trick plays that you could use in very specific situations when you might badly need a single bucket for example.

Some ideas for lines would be a group that was all extremely fast (imagine 5 guys that were all so quick that they caused major defensive issues for a typical defence to deal with). Or a line-up of elite level passers that had a few tricks up their sleeve or maybe an elite level defensive line for late game situations.

I really don't think the back end of the NBA bench is utilized to it's potential yet. Many players are really just wasted. I don't think the last couple guys on a teams roster need to be the typical well rounded players...They barely get used so it really doesn't seem optimized. I think they should be specialists.

Nothing like this has ever really been tried to my knowledge. I know there have been a few football teams at various levels that have experimented with some interesting variations of the game and I think a team could add wins to their record if this was done correctly.

[Dez]

You won't be able to find a line up of "elite" anything for the end of bench, if you do something at an "elite" level, you are most likely starting in the NBA or first man off the bench.

[nonjokegetter]

First, a lineup of elite passers...if you're an elite passer, you have a role in the NBA as is, and you're best utilized with other players that fill other roles. Unless you mean you have two elite passers already and then you have another five just sitting around. That's highly unlikely.

Second, most players at the end of the bench ARE specialists in one way or another.

Lastly, I read the first few lines and thought you just meant five dudes who played solely together, who'd come in as a unit and knew each other's games crazy well. I think an 8-12 like that could actually do very well against the second team for a lot of teams, and might be something to consider but that would mean the "normal" bench would only be three deep. Probably not worth it, unfortunately. If rosters were a few men deeper, it might be a legit option.

[Chuck Newhouse]

First, a lineup of elite passers...if you're an elite passer, you have a role in the NBA as is, and you're best utilized with other players that fill other roles. Unless you mean you have two elite passers already and then you have another five just sitting around. That's highly unlikely.

Second, most players at the end of the bench ARE specialists in one way or another.

Lastly, I read the first few lines and thought you just meant five dudes who played solely together, who'd come in as a unit and knew each other's games crazy well. I think an 8-12 like that could actually do very well against the second team for a lot of teams, and might be something to consider but that would mean the "normal" bench would only be three deep. Probably not worth it, unfortunately. If rosters were a few men deeper, it might be a legit option.

First...not true...a perfect example is Marcelo Huertas who I watched put on a passing clinic yesterday against France. Not all 5 need to be truly elite like a PG but at least above average for their position.

Second...not true at all. Very few pure specialists in the NBA. Most GM's go for well rounded IMO.

Last...that is what I meant and your point about bench size is valid but I think it could still be done with 12 if a couple of the specialist also had rotation skills. I really think trick plays are underused especially well timed, well choreographed tip passing plays and well choreographed alley oops.

[il_knicks7]

During an NBA season you've got a lot of people coming in and out of the lineup. You can't build a squad of 5 men who are setup to play together since you're going to need the bench guys to replace some of the starters ad-hoc.

[aal04]

Pop does this

Why do you think he keeps Bonner on the books and he likes his stretch players.

He understands every series is a set of matchups and you have to have the right pieces.

Also why its hard to find a star player in the spurs because he utilizes some players more in certain series.

It also helps having a friggen HoF PF that you can build around knowing there is always elite anchor inside.

[Kevin Johnson]

I have often wondered if a team chose to build the back end of it's bench by putting together a special teams line instead of just assembling well rounded back-up players if they could have more success.

What I mean by this is gearing 5 players to specifically train together to play together as a line like in hockey. You could choose these players based on unique criteria and just make sure they knew each other inside out, plus run specifically scripted plays geared to their strengths and even a handful of trick plays that you could use in very specific situations when you might badly need a single bucket for example.

Some ideas for lines would be a group that was all extremely fast (imagine 5 guys that were all so quick that they caused major defensive issues for a typical defence to deal with). Or a line-up of elite level passers that had a few tricks up their sleeve or maybe an elite level defensive line for late game situations.

I really don't think the back end of the NBA bench is utilized to it's potential yet. Many players are really just wasted. I don't think the last couple guys on a teams roster need to be the typical well rounded players...They barely get used so it really doesn't seem optimized. I think they should be specialists.

Nothing like this has ever really been tried to my knowledge. I know there have been a few football teams at various levels that have experimented with some interesting variations of the game and I think a team could add wins to their record if this was done correctly.

You mean like these guys. Hell, they even got special teams uniforms



Dammit, hot girls can rock the ugliest crap and make it look good.

[Phila Tough]

That chick does not look hot there.

[Liver_Pooty]

That chick does not look hot there.

Yeah, she does.

[Kevin Johnson]

That chick does not look hot there.

What part do you find repulsive? The toned body, the pretty face, the alluring eyes, the nice smile or the free flowing locks of hair?

[Sting3r]

Phil did this in the lakers 09-10 championship run. The second unit consisted mostly of players who excelled in open and fast brèak oppurtunities...while the first unit was more of a slow down half court offense. Reason why odom was moved to sixth man..

[The-Power]

That chick does not look hot there.

What part do you find repulsive? The toned body, the pretty face, the alluring eyes, the nice smile or the free flowing locks of hair?

On that picture? Crazy eyes, obviously. Chicks with crazy eyes are commonly hot, that's the problem.