Playmaking tracking and analysis for Hakeem, Magic, Bird, Jordan
Posted: Tue Oct 29, 2024 3:00 am
Playmaking- "Creating advantages for teammates". This could be:
1. Direct open shot for your teammate (paint shot = #1, 3pt shot = #2 and mid range = #3)
2. Indirect open shot for your team that takes a simple read from your teammate (paint shot = #1, 3pt shot = #2 and mid range = #3) aka hockey creation
3. Indirect open shot for your team that takes a complex read from your teammate (paint shot = #1, 3pt shot = #2 and mid range = #3) aka hockey creation
1 > 2 > 3. It can vary, if for example I’m going to value a hockey creation that generates a paint shot over a direct open mid range shot almost always.
Then, if you're also taking more defenders out in a play (like instead of creating a 4 on 3, a 4 on 2, or 3 on 2) that will also be taken into consideration as more valuable playmaking.
Also, if a capable player doesn't shoot the ball on an open look and wastes the advantage created, the advantage still counts as it's not the playmaker's fault his teammate ruins his offense. Same goes for missed shots. This is completely exclusive from assists and even potential assists as defined by NBA.com. For example, game 3 2019 Finals, Curry only had 7 potential assists according to the website, whereas Draymond had 19!
Yet, if you watch the game, you'd realize the overwhelming majority of those potential assists are off Curry's playmaking. This is because Curry immediately draws two in the PnR, and dumps it off to Draymond who passes it to whoever is open as Curry created a 4 on 3 advantage, then Draymond is credited with the assist or potential assist. Yet, Curry created the advantage. Same thing for Curry's cutting off the ball, or quick movement within a small region of space, or fake DHO's, or coming off screens, WHICH ALL DRAW 2, yet Draymond or someone will find the opening and be credited with the assist or potential assist... which is unfair and not how you should judge playmaking.
In terms of playmaking takes for all time NBA players, I took the time to watch and track these cats to see if the comments made toward them are, fair or wrong.
Hakeem-
One of the most underrated NBA players ever, especially in regards to his playmaking, often referred to as a "black hole". Hakeem has this huge stamp on him, apparently, because of his play from 86 to 91. "He didn't pass out as much when he was attracting defenders, I mean he averages more turnovers than assists!". Yea... it's often time hard to find players open, when THEY'RE NOT. A lot of the time Hakeem gets doubled, or even tripled, there is ONE defender guarding MULTIPLE at the same time. Why? Because they can't shoot the ball, and camp out close to the nail and painted area.
Then we do see there are times, even in 1986, where Hakeem definitely is able to pass out and playmake.
Sure, Hakeem definitely missed some reads, sure his passing lacked velocity, but when he did pass it, the passes got there and didn't cost his team, as rather, I'd venture to say his team construction costed him not being able to capitalize on his advantages, which did force Hakeem to take tough shots, though again, sometimes he definitely should have passed it. But, Kareem was also very much like this, especially young Kareem. And it had almost everything to do with why Hakeem didn't. "But Kareem's scoring makes up for it", sure, it does. But i'd never put Hakeem over Kareem on offense. But, if scoring picks up the lack of scoring, why don't mention how Hakeem from 1986-1989 was a +6.0rTS on 28.4ppg? When you look at 1990, sure, poor scoring, but in 1991 he was extremely efficient. +11rTS on 22.0ppg. So from 1986 - 1991 (before his "black hole" era ended) he was doing these numbers with only one bad playoffs in 1990. Duncan and Shaq certainly missed reads and rather would take up shots whether it be Duncan's faceups into rip througs to rise over his defender(s) and lay it up & in, or Shaq trying to just lay it up, or post hook it up over his defenders. Though, they still passed out more than Hakeem to openings, there is context for that, as I will later explain... (but Hakeem still did create a decent bit
)
According to my tracking, I see Hakeem create ~6 advantages per game during this span. With such scoring efficiency, low turnover rate, and decent (great for big man) volume and quality of creations, I don't see this "black hole" theory for Hakeem, unless Kareem is one too. It also doesn't help for Hakeem to play with another big man that's big and lives in the paint, and is his best teammate (Sampson). "Shaq passed out more, so did Duncan". Yea, who did they have on their teams? SHOOTERS, OFF BALL PLAYERS, and THE BEST GAURDS IN THE GAME (Parker was usually a top 8ish guard after 02 so it's a stretch to say that, but post '04, Duncan had one of the best guard combos in the league adding Manu). But the point is, both had far more capable casts around them to compliment their game vs Hakeem. Though... when Hakeem gets actual shooters around him, and a situation to fit his mold, I may have never seen a big man create so much advantages for their teammates. Don't believe me? Watch these videos I've created, and some games for yourselves'. Even Hakeem after 1995 was creating at elite volume, go watch his 1997 tape in the playoffs vs Utah.
Magic, Bird, Jordan
To make this quick, most of the offense back in the mid-late 80's was ran through the post, and during the early 80's, it was the fastbreak and also the post. Magic really didn't adopt this style of play until Kareem was basically done, which was 1987 - 1991. And even the, Worthy occupied the post a lot, in addition to Divac in 1991. Post ups from a post powerhouse was the biggest creation tool back then, much like how the PnR/PnP is in the modern era. Why? Illegal defense, you couldn't dig and hover around the nail as much as today, you couldn't hedge the post man, but rather had to commit fully. The less athletic and capable athletes made it harder to get back to their man once the ball was kicked out. So the lack of advanced defensive schemes, was easy for the offense to exploit like this. I mean, it's why Utah's empty side PnR play was so overpowered and held as the best offense from 1992 - 2001 (ironically when the illegal defense rule was lifted). Anyways, Bird from 1984 onwards, didn't find himself in that post a lot, or even with the ball in general. I like to compare him to kawhi in a way in terms of his off ball volume. As far as creations go, and the games I've tracked and watched. He doesn't create enough to be in that top 10 Playmaker list ever. Not even considered an "ATG" playmaker. His playmaking seems to be mostly made up of ceiling raising traits (quick processing after receiving the ball, touch passer) but it's not as impactful. So, for Bird's creation, I've tracked him for ~6 creations. However, Magic was creating at high levels when you look 87-91. Hard to say that beforehand, it's a lot of the time dumping it off to the post, to where Kareem actually created a fairly good amount of times. 1985 Finals, Games 2-6, Kareem was creating ~ 10 times per game because of his threat in the post and being more passive than he was from his younger self. During this span for Magic (1987-1991), he was certainly creating a good ~ 16 times per game. For Jordan, he was actually more on ball than Bird, and held more responsibility than both Magic and Bird. To cut it short, he almost never created anything off ball, but did it basically all on the ball. Up until 1993, he usually creates ~10 times per game. It takes a steady decrease afterwards.
Please, just watch the games, and compare eye test for these topics like playmaking and defense. Don't listen to narratives or others (don't even have to listen to me but watch the games and come to your own conclusion). I will be making more posts concerning this topic as it is a very important facet to basketball and part of the game fans have to observe.
Creations:
Hakeem 1986-1990: ~6
Bird 1984-1988: ~6
Jordan 1987-1993: ~10
Magic 1987-1991: ~16
1. Direct open shot for your teammate (paint shot = #1, 3pt shot = #2 and mid range = #3)
2. Indirect open shot for your team that takes a simple read from your teammate (paint shot = #1, 3pt shot = #2 and mid range = #3) aka hockey creation
3. Indirect open shot for your team that takes a complex read from your teammate (paint shot = #1, 3pt shot = #2 and mid range = #3) aka hockey creation
1 > 2 > 3. It can vary, if for example I’m going to value a hockey creation that generates a paint shot over a direct open mid range shot almost always.
Then, if you're also taking more defenders out in a play (like instead of creating a 4 on 3, a 4 on 2, or 3 on 2) that will also be taken into consideration as more valuable playmaking.
Also, if a capable player doesn't shoot the ball on an open look and wastes the advantage created, the advantage still counts as it's not the playmaker's fault his teammate ruins his offense. Same goes for missed shots. This is completely exclusive from assists and even potential assists as defined by NBA.com. For example, game 3 2019 Finals, Curry only had 7 potential assists according to the website, whereas Draymond had 19!
Spoiler:
Yet, if you watch the game, you'd realize the overwhelming majority of those potential assists are off Curry's playmaking. This is because Curry immediately draws two in the PnR, and dumps it off to Draymond who passes it to whoever is open as Curry created a 4 on 3 advantage, then Draymond is credited with the assist or potential assist. Yet, Curry created the advantage. Same thing for Curry's cutting off the ball, or quick movement within a small region of space, or fake DHO's, or coming off screens, WHICH ALL DRAW 2, yet Draymond or someone will find the opening and be credited with the assist or potential assist... which is unfair and not how you should judge playmaking.
In terms of playmaking takes for all time NBA players, I took the time to watch and track these cats to see if the comments made toward them are, fair or wrong.
Hakeem-
One of the most underrated NBA players ever, especially in regards to his playmaking, often referred to as a "black hole". Hakeem has this huge stamp on him, apparently, because of his play from 86 to 91. "He didn't pass out as much when he was attracting defenders, I mean he averages more turnovers than assists!". Yea... it's often time hard to find players open, when THEY'RE NOT. A lot of the time Hakeem gets doubled, or even tripled, there is ONE defender guarding MULTIPLE at the same time. Why? Because they can't shoot the ball, and camp out close to the nail and painted area.
Spoiler:
Then we do see there are times, even in 1986, where Hakeem definitely is able to pass out and playmake.
Spoiler:
Sure, Hakeem definitely missed some reads, sure his passing lacked velocity, but when he did pass it, the passes got there and didn't cost his team, as rather, I'd venture to say his team construction costed him not being able to capitalize on his advantages, which did force Hakeem to take tough shots, though again, sometimes he definitely should have passed it. But, Kareem was also very much like this, especially young Kareem. And it had almost everything to do with why Hakeem didn't. "But Kareem's scoring makes up for it", sure, it does. But i'd never put Hakeem over Kareem on offense. But, if scoring picks up the lack of scoring, why don't mention how Hakeem from 1986-1989 was a +6.0rTS on 28.4ppg? When you look at 1990, sure, poor scoring, but in 1991 he was extremely efficient. +11rTS on 22.0ppg. So from 1986 - 1991 (before his "black hole" era ended) he was doing these numbers with only one bad playoffs in 1990. Duncan and Shaq certainly missed reads and rather would take up shots whether it be Duncan's faceups into rip througs to rise over his defender(s) and lay it up & in, or Shaq trying to just lay it up, or post hook it up over his defenders. Though, they still passed out more than Hakeem to openings, there is context for that, as I will later explain... (but Hakeem still did create a decent bit
)According to my tracking, I see Hakeem create ~6 advantages per game during this span. With such scoring efficiency, low turnover rate, and decent (great for big man) volume and quality of creations, I don't see this "black hole" theory for Hakeem, unless Kareem is one too. It also doesn't help for Hakeem to play with another big man that's big and lives in the paint, and is his best teammate (Sampson). "Shaq passed out more, so did Duncan". Yea, who did they have on their teams? SHOOTERS, OFF BALL PLAYERS, and THE BEST GAURDS IN THE GAME (Parker was usually a top 8ish guard after 02 so it's a stretch to say that, but post '04, Duncan had one of the best guard combos in the league adding Manu). But the point is, both had far more capable casts around them to compliment their game vs Hakeem. Though... when Hakeem gets actual shooters around him, and a situation to fit his mold, I may have never seen a big man create so much advantages for their teammates. Don't believe me? Watch these videos I've created, and some games for yourselves'. Even Hakeem after 1995 was creating at elite volume, go watch his 1997 tape in the playoffs vs Utah.
Spoiler:
Magic, Bird, Jordan
To make this quick, most of the offense back in the mid-late 80's was ran through the post, and during the early 80's, it was the fastbreak and also the post. Magic really didn't adopt this style of play until Kareem was basically done, which was 1987 - 1991. And even the, Worthy occupied the post a lot, in addition to Divac in 1991. Post ups from a post powerhouse was the biggest creation tool back then, much like how the PnR/PnP is in the modern era. Why? Illegal defense, you couldn't dig and hover around the nail as much as today, you couldn't hedge the post man, but rather had to commit fully. The less athletic and capable athletes made it harder to get back to their man once the ball was kicked out. So the lack of advanced defensive schemes, was easy for the offense to exploit like this. I mean, it's why Utah's empty side PnR play was so overpowered and held as the best offense from 1992 - 2001 (ironically when the illegal defense rule was lifted). Anyways, Bird from 1984 onwards, didn't find himself in that post a lot, or even with the ball in general. I like to compare him to kawhi in a way in terms of his off ball volume. As far as creations go, and the games I've tracked and watched. He doesn't create enough to be in that top 10 Playmaker list ever. Not even considered an "ATG" playmaker. His playmaking seems to be mostly made up of ceiling raising traits (quick processing after receiving the ball, touch passer) but it's not as impactful. So, for Bird's creation, I've tracked him for ~6 creations. However, Magic was creating at high levels when you look 87-91. Hard to say that beforehand, it's a lot of the time dumping it off to the post, to where Kareem actually created a fairly good amount of times. 1985 Finals, Games 2-6, Kareem was creating ~ 10 times per game because of his threat in the post and being more passive than he was from his younger self. During this span for Magic (1987-1991), he was certainly creating a good ~ 16 times per game. For Jordan, he was actually more on ball than Bird, and held more responsibility than both Magic and Bird. To cut it short, he almost never created anything off ball, but did it basically all on the ball. Up until 1993, he usually creates ~10 times per game. It takes a steady decrease afterwards.
Please, just watch the games, and compare eye test for these topics like playmaking and defense. Don't listen to narratives or others (don't even have to listen to me but watch the games and come to your own conclusion). I will be making more posts concerning this topic as it is a very important facet to basketball and part of the game fans have to observe.
Creations:
Hakeem 1986-1990: ~6
Bird 1984-1988: ~6
Jordan 1987-1993: ~10
Magic 1987-1991: ~16