[surveParticipant]

I did a thread a lil while ago asking the hoopers or former hoopers if defense was mostly a mental approach to the game.

Same question, but this time, is being a 1st option player a mentality?  I definitely say yes, but would like to hear what you guys think.

I played on the HS level.  I was basically and undersized SG.  I was a role player.  I liked to play PG but just wasnt a pure one.  If I had to compare my game to someone today, it would be in the James Harden mold.  I loved to pass, but I didnt have pure PG skills.  I was a shooter basically.  I didnt have a 1st option mentality.  Only if I played on a team where I was the best scorer, would I "force" myself to score more.  

Here is the question I wanted to ask you guys…what makes a person a 1st option, 2nd option, etc…mentally?

By my playing experience, it was this….

I was NEVER a gunner.  I was not the most creative scorer.  I loved to pass and get my teammates involved.  Mentally, this is how I felt…I rarely looked for consecutive shots unless I was hot.  If I was hot, I would not stop shooting until I cooled off of course.  If there were better scorers than myself, then I usually only shot when open or when the defender wasnt expecting me to be aggressive.  If I shot 2 or 3 times in a row and missed, I felt like a gunner.  Is that what gives you a mentality other than a 1st option type?

thoughts?

[surveParticipant]

….also, I would like to use A.I. as an example here.  if his mentality was to get his teammates involved more then he couldve easily been a double double guy, do you agree? its just that his mentality was to score first and foremost…didnt matter who was on his team…that was just his mentality. 

court vision and decision making is usually what separates PG’s, I know, but when a guy tries harder to get his teammates involved…he can compromise his scoring a bit, does this take away from his 1st option mentality?

[surveParticipant]

….also, I would like to use A.I. as an example here.  if his mentality was to get his teammates involved more then he couldve easily been a double double guy, do you agree? its just that his mentality was to score first and foremost…didnt matter who was on his team…that was just his mentality. 

court vision and decision making is usually what separates PG’s, I know, but when a guy tries harder to get his teammates involved…he can compromise his scoring a bit, does this take away from his 1st option mentality?

[surveParticipant]

….also, I would like to use A.I. as an example here.  if his mentality was to get his teammates involved more then he couldve easily been a double double guy, do you agree? its just that his mentality was to score first and foremost…didnt matter who was on his team…that was just his mentality. 

court vision and decision making is usually what separates PG’s, I know, but when a guy tries harder to get his teammates involved…he can compromise his scoring a bit, does this take away from his 1st option mentality?

[Anton123Participant]

 I think so, I, personally, have a 5th option scorer mentality, I play a lot like Dennis Rodman did, despite my really small size.

I think a 1st option player is a mentality, I mean a guy like Iggy has the tools to be a first option but he seems to be more comfortable playing off the ball and setting up teammates.

[Anton123Participant]

 I think so, I, personally, have a 5th option scorer mentality, I play a lot like Dennis Rodman did, despite my really small size.

I think a 1st option player is a mentality, I mean a guy like Iggy has the tools to be a first option but he seems to be more comfortable playing off the ball and setting up teammates.

[Anton123Participant]

 I think so, I, personally, have a 5th option scorer mentality, I play a lot like Dennis Rodman did, despite my really small size.

I think a 1st option player is a mentality, I mean a guy like Iggy has the tools to be a first option but he seems to be more comfortable playing off the ball and setting up teammates.

[surveParticipant]

let me rephase a lil bit…we know its a mentality but what makes a player that way mentally?  is it confidence in one’s shooting, one-on-one ability, IQ, etc? or is it having a more outgoing personality?  like wanting to be a popular person at whatever level?

1st option scorer doesnt necessarily mean you are the best player on the team…if Pip played on most teams without MJ he would prob be best player but perhaps not best scorer.  Lebron although leading scorer for Heat could easily be a 2nd option behind Wade.  Grant Hill in his prime was another person who likely could be the best player for a team without being a first scoring option.  and so on….

[surveParticipant]

let me rephase a lil bit…we know its a mentality but what makes a player that way mentally?  is it confidence in one’s shooting, one-on-one ability, IQ, etc? or is it having a more outgoing personality?  like wanting to be a popular person at whatever level?

1st option scorer doesnt necessarily mean you are the best player on the team…if Pip played on most teams without MJ he would prob be best player but perhaps not best scorer.  Lebron although leading scorer for Heat could easily be a 2nd option behind Wade.  Grant Hill in his prime was another person who likely could be the best player for a team without being a first scoring option.  and so on….

[surveParticipant]

let me rephase a lil bit…we know its a mentality but what makes a player that way mentally?  is it confidence in one’s shooting, one-on-one ability, IQ, etc? or is it having a more outgoing personality?  like wanting to be a popular person at whatever level?

1st option scorer doesnt necessarily mean you are the best player on the team…if Pip played on most teams without MJ he would prob be best player but perhaps not best scorer.  Lebron although leading scorer for Heat could easily be a 2nd option behind Wade.  Grant Hill in his prime was another person who likely could be the best player for a team without being a first scoring option.  and so on….

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I would rather be a passer and playmaker too.  Or an energy guy like Rodman.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I would rather be a passer and playmaker too.  Or an energy guy like Rodman.

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

I would rather be a passer and playmaker too.  Or an energy guy like Rodman.

[akhan786Participant]

My game most resembles Rondo. The only way I saw the court last season as a freshman was to be a defensive stopper and to run the offense.

I usually only got my points from fast breaks because I would out run everyone else and also in the flow of the offense.

I don’t think I could be a gunner because, like Rondo, I can’t shoot to save my life and also don’t have confidence to hit an open jumper. I usually pump fake drive in and dish it to the big man.

I’m a past first guy, but my highest scoring game was 25 and it was against Westchester Country Day School. Lol if you guys don’t know that’s where Ike Nwamu and Deuce Bello just graduated from.

Most of my points came when the game was already over lol but I still out scored all of the starters on my team.

I even crossed up Deuce’s little brother 😀 Win for the brown kid.

[akhan786Participant]

My game most resembles Rondo. The only way I saw the court last season as a freshman was to be a defensive stopper and to run the offense.

I usually only got my points from fast breaks because I would out run everyone else and also in the flow of the offense.

I don’t think I could be a gunner because, like Rondo, I can’t shoot to save my life and also don’t have confidence to hit an open jumper. I usually pump fake drive in and dish it to the big man.

I’m a past first guy, but my highest scoring game was 25 and it was against Westchester Country Day School. Lol if you guys don’t know that’s where Ike Nwamu and Deuce Bello just graduated from.

Most of my points came when the game was already over lol but I still out scored all of the starters on my team.

I even crossed up Deuce’s little brother 😀 Win for the brown kid.

[akhan786Participant]

My game most resembles Rondo. The only way I saw the court last season as a freshman was to be a defensive stopper and to run the offense.

I usually only got my points from fast breaks because I would out run everyone else and also in the flow of the offense.

I don’t think I could be a gunner because, like Rondo, I can’t shoot to save my life and also don’t have confidence to hit an open jumper. I usually pump fake drive in and dish it to the big man.

I’m a past first guy, but my highest scoring game was 25 and it was against Westchester Country Day School. Lol if you guys don’t know that’s where Ike Nwamu and Deuce Bello just graduated from.

Most of my points came when the game was already over lol but I still out scored all of the starters on my team.

I even crossed up Deuce’s little brother 😀 Win for the brown kid.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

You definitely have to have the right mindset to be a first option, especially a championship caliber one.

You also have to have the right phsyical tools and skill set. There are a lot of players with the skill set/talent, but not the right mentality. Then there are players with that mentality, but just don’t have the skill set/talent to be thinking that way. When you get a player who has the mentality AND skillset/talent to match, you usually get a special offensive player.

IF I had to take a guess about what I was, I’d say a second or third option player. I didn’t like being counted on to be THAT guy. I liked playing off of someone and being able to concentrate on affecting the game in other ways.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

You definitely have to have the right mindset to be a first option, especially a championship caliber one.

You also have to have the right phsyical tools and skill set. There are a lot of players with the skill set/talent, but not the right mentality. Then there are players with that mentality, but just don’t have the skill set/talent to be thinking that way. When you get a player who has the mentality AND skillset/talent to match, you usually get a special offensive player.

IF I had to take a guess about what I was, I’d say a second or third option player. I didn’t like being counted on to be THAT guy. I liked playing off of someone and being able to concentrate on affecting the game in other ways.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

You definitely have to have the right mindset to be a first option, especially a championship caliber one.

You also have to have the right phsyical tools and skill set. There are a lot of players with the skill set/talent, but not the right mentality. Then there are players with that mentality, but just don’t have the skill set/talent to be thinking that way. When you get a player who has the mentality AND skillset/talent to match, you usually get a special offensive player.

IF I had to take a guess about what I was, I’d say a second or third option player. I didn’t like being counted on to be THAT guy. I liked playing off of someone and being able to concentrate on affecting the game in other ways.

[JoeWolf1]

 I think it’s a mentality, it takes extreme confidence (whether it’s warranted or not) to keep shooting through a cold streak.  I’ve played with some guys with that mentality that were terrible, but when that mentality is paired with the right player then they can be really special.  Sorry Indiana, I just realized you typed almost the same thing in your second paragraph, but I’m too far in to delete it all, lol.

I was the 3rd leading scorer and leading rebounder on my HS team if that kinda shows what role I was comfortable with.  I was very opportunistic, I would score off rebounds, but I was comfortable getting shots facing up and on the block.  That being said, if I wasn’t hitting my shots, I didn’t keep shooting unless I got a layup, I’d usually look to draw a double team and pass out.  I also love setting screens, I’d gladly clear out a player to get a shot for my teammate.  My career high on varisty was only 16, but I was the type of guy who’d have 8-10 points a lot.

[JoeWolf1]

 I think it’s a mentality, it takes extreme confidence (whether it’s warranted or not) to keep shooting through a cold streak.  I’ve played with some guys with that mentality that were terrible, but when that mentality is paired with the right player then they can be really special.  Sorry Indiana, I just realized you typed almost the same thing in your second paragraph, but I’m too far in to delete it all, lol.

I was the 3rd leading scorer and leading rebounder on my HS team if that kinda shows what role I was comfortable with.  I was very opportunistic, I would score off rebounds, but I was comfortable getting shots facing up and on the block.  That being said, if I wasn’t hitting my shots, I didn’t keep shooting unless I got a layup, I’d usually look to draw a double team and pass out.  I also love setting screens, I’d gladly clear out a player to get a shot for my teammate.  My career high on varisty was only 16, but I was the type of guy who’d have 8-10 points a lot.

[JoeWolf1]

 I think it’s a mentality, it takes extreme confidence (whether it’s warranted or not) to keep shooting through a cold streak.  I’ve played with some guys with that mentality that were terrible, but when that mentality is paired with the right player then they can be really special.  Sorry Indiana, I just realized you typed almost the same thing in your second paragraph, but I’m too far in to delete it all, lol.

I was the 3rd leading scorer and leading rebounder on my HS team if that kinda shows what role I was comfortable with.  I was very opportunistic, I would score off rebounds, but I was comfortable getting shots facing up and on the block.  That being said, if I wasn’t hitting my shots, I didn’t keep shooting unless I got a layup, I’d usually look to draw a double team and pass out.  I also love setting screens, I’d gladly clear out a player to get a shot for my teammate.  My career high on varisty was only 16, but I was the type of guy who’d have 8-10 points a lot.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I’m a combo guard that usually plays shooting guard.  When I play, it depends on my team.  When playing pick-up ball and I know I have to score, I’ll go with a 1st option mentality but when I have a good team around me, I’ll hardly shoot.  Instead, I’ll set up my teammates. 

For the most part, I’d say I’m a 2nd/3rd option.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I’m a combo guard that usually plays shooting guard.  When I play, it depends on my team.  When playing pick-up ball and I know I have to score, I’ll go with a 1st option mentality but when I have a good team around me, I’ll hardly shoot.  Instead, I’ll set up my teammates. 

For the most part, I’d say I’m a 2nd/3rd option.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

I’m a combo guard that usually plays shooting guard.  When I play, it depends on my team.  When playing pick-up ball and I know I have to score, I’ll go with a 1st option mentality but when I have a good team around me, I’ll hardly shoot.  Instead, I’ll set up my teammates. 

For the most part, I’d say I’m a 2nd/3rd option.

[surveParticipant]

"I didn’t like being counted on to be THAT guy"

thats another thing that establishes that mentality.  some of us dont want as much pressure…some thrive in it.

[surveParticipant]

"I didn’t like being counted on to be THAT guy"

thats another thing that establishes that mentality.  some of us dont want as much pressure…some thrive in it.

[surveParticipant]

"I didn’t like being counted on to be THAT guy"

thats another thing that establishes that mentality.  some of us dont want as much pressure…some thrive in it.

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

i played intermural bball in the winter and i was the first option on my team and i LOVED being the first option…

it’s a mentality… having to be aggresive to get ur own shots… 

and skill set comes into play of course

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

i played intermural bball in the winter and i was the first option on my team and i LOVED being the first option…

it’s a mentality… having to be aggresive to get ur own shots… 

and skill set comes into play of course

[Malik-UniversalParticipant]

i played intermural bball in the winter and i was the first option on my team and i LOVED being the first option…

it’s a mentality… having to be aggresive to get ur own shots… 

and skill set comes into play of course

[Author]

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