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John Welch is Denver Nuggets’ workaholic assistant coach

You don’t know John Welch. But he’s the Nuggets’ secret weapon, a workout wizard, an eternal gym rat, George Karl’s consigliere.

Asked to talk about Welch’s importance, Nuggets executive Masai Ujiri said: “I don’t want to talk about him — because I don’t want any other team to take him. He’s the best, he’s the best in the NBA, there’s no doubt about it. No disrespect to anybody, but he’s the best player development coach in the NBA. He takes basketball seriously — his work, his trade.”

Benjamin Hochman, Denver Post

HuffingtonPost.com - Science of Swish: Coaches, Players Search 'Perfect' Shot

While no one would dispute the value of real-time feedback and consistent practice, there is far from universal agreement over Marty’s contention that 45 degrees is the optimal shot arc. Welch's good friend Bob Tate, who is credited with transforming Jason Kidd's jump shot from a liability to a strength, does not agree that 45 degrees is the optimal shooting arc.

"The arc is an interesting debate," Welch says. "Bob believes in shooting the ball straight up in the air, basically. He believes in shooting it in an arc of 55 (degrees). I totally bought into his method because the ball swishes."

According to Welch, however, basketball's sweetest sound may not always translate to the highest success.

"The Noah team will explain with data that you will get more swishes with higher [arc peaks], but you won't get more makes," Welch explains. "There's a bigger swishable area, but a smaller makeable area.”

Jordan Schultz, Huntington Post/Noah Basketball