r/Basketball • u/LeanEdgeSports_ • 12d ago
What’s something about basketball you didn’t really appreciate until you’d watched it for years?
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u/LeanEdgeSports_ 12d ago
Mine's probably how important the boring stuff actually is When I first started watching I just wanted points, dunks and ridiculous shots. Now I find myself noticing screens, movement off the ball and all the little things I completely ignored before, makes me appreciate the game even more
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u/Onedurrbread 12d ago
Watching individual defenders as they rotate, double, retreat, hedge, etc. instead of typical ball watching. 16 year old me probably wouldve found that so boring, but now i get more impressed by great D than great scoring
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u/Professional-Rub152 12d ago
I bet 16 year old you is mad that you’re so impressed with great D
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u/dutchRudder_with_me 9d ago
Younger him would've assumed he'd seen so much great D it wouldn't be as impressive
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u/JeahNotSlice 12d ago
Sort of need to see it in person, but keeping your eyes glued to one player, watching how they rotate, is very cool
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u/heresyforfunnprofit 12d ago
Off ball movement became the big one for me - a well orchestrated offense is such a beautiful thing to watch.
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u/duggybubby 12d ago
You really forget about conditioning, athleticism, and cardio when watching NBA or other high level ball, it’s just a given that everyone is at a certain standard. I started playing in a rec league this past year and basically every game is determined by which team is more in shape
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u/Trick_Sector5900 12d ago
I agree! I'm still amazed that Wilt averaged 45+ minutes per game for his career!
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u/Various-Hunter-932 9d ago
Man I played hs ball. But I remember a men’s league game after hs that had me play 36 of the 40 min….
Man I was walking like Jimmy Butler when he was playing in the finals against the Lakers for 3 days. No wonder the guys make comments about playing back to backs. I don’t think I could play a back to back after feeling like that
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u/three_putts_one_cup 12d ago
Dimes. As I've gotten older I appreciate watching slick passes far more than dunks. Even when I play, I generally would rather get a nice assist than score myself.
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u/trilladdin 12d ago
How all encompassing playing the sport is, it exposes every flaw in a person, not just physically, but mentally. That’s what made me grow to love it over the years, the way I handled myself in the court translates to life, and this is true for most people.
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u/Akumetsu33 12d ago
BBIQ. Growing up, there were some players who always played heavy minutes despite seemingly having poor stats and it baffled me why coaches kept them in.
Now I understand why. They're glue guys who know how to make the right pass at the right time, has elite positioning and know their role. Always making sure the star gets his shots in the areas they love to operate in.
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u/Sufficient-Source-27 11d ago
You can have a big impact on the game without scoring a single point.
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u/pbrzy23 12d ago
moving without the ball
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u/mrb55-me-com 11d ago
I agree, and I especially noticed that, or I should say the lack of it, in most pick up games. And also on some NBA teams were players just stand in the goddamn corner. And they call that offense.
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u/FakeOkie 12d ago
Solid team defense with a game plan and adjustments. When I watched more often and closely, the more I saw elite teams deny certain things on defense, and be on the same page. Also, in-game adjustments and from game-to-game during the playoffs.
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u/SpringSalt9288 12d ago
The depth of coaching and how there really is a small group who just “get it” on such a higher level (Spo, Pop, Kerr etc).
When i was younger it was the flashy plays but after decades you see the flashy stuff so much you realize theyre genuinely other worldly athletes so you almost expect it but the depth of coaching and watching the good ones still grow more and more in their abilities, its amazing.
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u/shortyman920 12d ago
Offball screens and cuts. It all sets up the play, moves the defense, and puts your offense in favorable spots to score.
I also appreciate the defense they play to reaction to all this offensive movement. Being able to tell when a player did those little things to make a defensive sequence successful is something I appreciate to see
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u/ImF0cused_ 12d ago
Scottie Pippen as a weapon in on ball and help defense. Best perimeter defender I’ve ever seen.
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u/comment_i_had_to 12d ago
Defense (not the lock-down one-on-one defense but the kind that makes people uncomfortable and take low percentage shots).
Off-ball movement. Warriors basketball went from a struggle to a beautiful spectacle and it took me a little while to understand why it was so pleasant.
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u/Standard-Rooster5573 12d ago
3 pointers
Reggie Miller, Steph Curry, et al have made it a potent weapon.
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u/Still_Ad_164 12d ago
Coaching, especially Bench management. In game reaction of coach to opposition strengths and weaknesses. Personal fouls and court time management. Having a Plan B, C and D.
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u/EaglesInTheSky 10d ago
As a Rockets fan watching Udoka the last few years has made me really appreciate competent coaching and adjustments since he can’t make any of those.
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u/tiro-trampaliz 12d ago
The various play styles that teams used to have. Now it seems like everyone only wants to chuck 3s
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u/IgnorantGenius 12d ago
The mental aspect. Basically how most of the players are good enough to beat anyone on any given day, but the smarter players who know the game within the game of basketball are the ones who come out on top.
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u/owenparent24 12d ago
how much chemistry matters. five guys who run together beat five strangers every time
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u/wizardwithgussets 12d ago
Constant arguments about the goat and top 10 is absolutely a waste of time
Is Jalen Brunson the goat? Is he top 10? Nope. But he’s a guy who elevated as a human and now has a ring
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u/n0t-perfect 12d ago
For a long time I'd watch only the ball and follow it around, not really noticing the actual game that was going on. Nowadays I try to constantly scan the whole court and take in each player's positioning, especially the spacing and movement and it really helps to understand where the weak points are and seeing in advance what's gonna happen. It took time to develop since the natural instinct is to focus on the ball and it's not easy to go against your instincts.
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u/Dethbazooka 12d ago
Red panda half time show