[MalcolmxParticipant]

This question has been popping into my brain for the last few days and I have a few answers of my own but I would like to know what do you guys think it takes to make it to the NBA? Obviously it’s a small percentage of ball players that make it to the League,and I want to know what is so special about that small percentage that is not special about the rest. I watch Isaiah Whitehead last night in person at an Event called Books&Ball in the Bronx,New York. He is a Seton Hall Commit and projected Mcdonalds all american Top 20 player in that nation and top 3 at his position in the nation.Also Projected future Nba pick. And as I look on and observe him I just couldn’t help but think. This Kid is a MACHINE! He doesn’t have a big circle,his mother came with him along with one of his assistant coaches from high school. He takes photos and signs autographs with little kids. His pregame preparation was different than all the other kids. His skill set is ultra high.He isn’t the most explosive or powerful but you can see the will power and determination on his face to just really kill whoever is guarding him.He operates on a different level than his peers it seems. I just can’t seem to really rap my head around what it takes to be an NBA player. Obviously some guys have physical gifts that attract scouts. Like guys that are 6’8 with 7’4 wingspans and run the floor and jump well. And for the most part every NBA player if gifted in one way or another. I also feel LUCK is a factor in making the league or having to go overseas.But what are some of the key ingredients to becoming an NBA player? I would really like to hear what you guys have to say.

[boomdizzalParticipant]

the obvious is the talent, size, athletcism and basketball IQ but there are many other factors. If those 4 things are at an elite level you can be like an anthony randolph/ perry jones (maybe without elite IQ) and make it. However, most players dont have all 4 of those elite; If you are extremely talented but you constantly butt heads with our coach you can most likely kiss your chances goodbye (all the freshmen who come out avg 5 pts or less in NCAA). There are many good players that are actually academically ineligible or get side tracked with gangs, drugs and violence. Ive seen some players from the bay area that have great talent, but they dont make it because they either can’t qualify for college, or they have people falsely telling them they are good enough for the NBA, that don’t know jack. Yes they might be 6’3 and look like D. rose at times, but they dont listen to anyone and think have their friends telling them f the coach, u unstopable. Scouts and agents do alot of homework on someone who is an nba prospect, they know your grades, your friends, how you act in the strip club because i know in the past they fund them the money and it can show how smart you are to the scout (ie spending all the money on a gold chain shows stupidity), when the word gets out that you’re an idiot, coaches, agents, organization will put a red flag on you. So to make it for the most part, if you have talent, go to a program that enhances your skills and have a great work ethic, keep the drug use low/ privately, and show up to take midterms and finals with the private tutors help and yes the luck of staying healthy, you have a decent chance, and have a slim chance is already pretty good.

[boomdizzalParticipant]

the obvious is the talent, size, athletcism and basketball IQ but there are many other factors. If those 4 things are at an elite level you can be like an anthony randolph/ perry jones (maybe without elite IQ) and make it. However, most players dont have all 4 of those elite; If you are extremely talented but you constantly butt heads with our coach you can most likely kiss your chances goodbye (all the freshmen who come out avg 5 pts or less in NCAA). There are many good players that are actually academically ineligible or get side tracked with gangs, drugs and violence. Ive seen some players from the bay area that have great talent, but they dont make it because they either can’t qualify for college, or they have people falsely telling them they are good enough for the NBA, that don’t know jack. Yes they might be 6’3 and look like D. rose at times, but they dont listen to anyone and think have their friends telling them f the coach, u unstopable. Scouts and agents do alot of homework on someone who is an nba prospect, they know your grades, your friends, how you act in the strip club because i know in the past they fund them the money and it can show how smart you are to the scout (ie spending all the money on a gold chain shows stupidity), when the word gets out that you’re an idiot, coaches, agents, organization will put a red flag on you. So to make it for the most part, if you have talent, go to a program that enhances your skills and have a great work ethic, keep the drug use low/ privately, and show up to take midterms and finals with the private tutors help and yes the luck of staying healthy, you have a decent chance, and have a slim chance is already pretty good.

[SiggyParticipant]

There is no standard formula to make it to the NBA. Lots of players can make it TO the NBA, but staying in the NBA requires something else. I’d say at the bare minimum all that is necessary is physical talent (size, athleticism) and hype. We’ve all seen players who have no translatable NBA skill and no mind for the game as prospects, but because they have great physical tools and have hype carried over from HS or overseas still make NBA rosters.

[SiggyParticipant]

There is no standard formula to make it to the NBA. Lots of players can make it TO the NBA, but staying in the NBA requires something else. I’d say at the bare minimum all that is necessary is physical talent (size, athleticism) and hype. We’ve all seen players who have no translatable NBA skill and no mind for the game as prospects, but because they have great physical tools and have hype carried over from HS or overseas still make NBA rosters.

[MalcolmxParticipant]

I think HS hype does play a big part in getting drafted. Say for example Daniel Orton.

[MalcolmxParticipant]

I think HS hype does play a big part in getting drafted. Say for example Daniel Orton.

[aaucoachParticipant]

luck and good timing.if you look at the landscape of the nba now,small ball is the new craze.the leagues obsession with height kept a lot of great players out the league in the late 90’s to 2000’s.had guys like shaheen holloway,ed cota,omar cook come up in this era,they would be high lotto picks,but they were in the “tall” p.g era thus never really got a good shot in the league.a kid like lenny cooke would slaughter guys like wiggins and julius randle,but instead he was in an era with guys like melo and lebron.

[aaucoachParticipant]

luck and good timing.if you look at the landscape of the nba now,small ball is the new craze.the leagues obsession with height kept a lot of great players out the league in the late 90’s to 2000’s.had guys like shaheen holloway,ed cota,omar cook come up in this era,they would be high lotto picks,but they were in the “tall” p.g era thus never really got a good shot in the league.a kid like lenny cooke would slaughter guys like wiggins and julius randle,but instead he was in an era with guys like melo and lebron.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

being 7 feet tall and European usually helps…

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

being 7 feet tall and European usually helps…

[BasketBalAllanParticipant]

Siggy hit the nail right on the head.

There is a difference between making it to the NBA and staying in the NBA. Making the NBA lately seems to be more about physical tools than anything else. Being the right size for your position with one or two more physical attributes that stand out can get you there. So much fuss is made about a players height, wing span, reach, vertical, body type, and speed because that is often what sets players apart from their competition before they make it to the NBA. Obviously some guys make it based upon having more talent at certain in-game aspects than others (guys like Jimmer and other niche players) but the majority gather the required hype and success because they are bigger, faster, and stronger than many of their peers. GMs seem to draft on the fact that you cant really improve a players height or reach but you can teach them to play better basketball.

Staying in the NBA is about being able to improve yourself (mostly your weaknesses). Putting on the needed NBA muscle, learning how the game is played in the big boy league, becoming a better teammate, and being willing to work to improve every aspect of your game. Obviously injuries and being in a bad situation can put a damper on things but there is no substitute for hard work.

[BasketBalAllanParticipant]

Siggy hit the nail right on the head.

There is a difference between making it to the NBA and staying in the NBA. Making the NBA lately seems to be more about physical tools than anything else. Being the right size for your position with one or two more physical attributes that stand out can get you there. So much fuss is made about a players height, wing span, reach, vertical, body type, and speed because that is often what sets players apart from their competition before they make it to the NBA. Obviously some guys make it based upon having more talent at certain in-game aspects than others (guys like Jimmer and other niche players) but the majority gather the required hype and success because they are bigger, faster, and stronger than many of their peers. GMs seem to draft on the fact that you cant really improve a players height or reach but you can teach them to play better basketball.

Staying in the NBA is about being able to improve yourself (mostly your weaknesses). Putting on the needed NBA muscle, learning how the game is played in the big boy league, becoming a better teammate, and being willing to work to improve every aspect of your game. Obviously injuries and being in a bad situation can put a damper on things but there is no substitute for hard work.

[Author]

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