Does Practicing With KG Make Players Better Offensively?

[indeedproceed]

Kind of a tangent, but does playing against KG in practice make guys offensively 'better'? Brandon Bass was mostly the same (truthfully, he regressed a bit per minute, but that's probably due to playing more), BBD? I never got the impression BBD got better offensively because KG was hardening him in practice.

Defensively, sure. But offensively? I'm searching for an example and can't find one.

[billysan]

Kind of a tangent, but does playing against KG in practice make guys offensively 'better'? Brandon Bass was mostly the same (truthfully, he regressed a bit per minute, but that's probably due to playing more), BBD? I never got the impression BBD got better offensively because KG was hardening him in practice.

Defensively, sure. But offensively? I'm searching for an example and can't find one.

For me the KG effect is more of a case where he helps other bigs, especially younger ones, to get into the right position in practice. This could certainly have some effect defensively, but offensively? Unless he teaches the opposing players trends and moves using himself as the other team?

In regular games, he obviously draws the better defender which would tend to maximize another (teammate) bigs offense as well. Much different than practice.

[indeedproceed]

Kind of a tangent, but does playing against KG in practice make guys offensively 'better'? Brandon Bass was mostly the same (truthfully, he regressed a bit per minute, but that's probably due to playing more), BBD? I never got the impression BBD got better offensively because KG was hardening him in practice.

Defensively, sure. But offensively? I'm searching for an example and can't find one.

For me the KG effect is more of a case where he helps other bigs, especially younger ones, to get into the right position in practice. This could certainly have some effect defensively, but offensively? Unless he teaches the opposing players trends and moves using himself as the other team?

In regular games, he obviously draws the better defender which would tend to maximize another (teammate) bigs offense as well. Much different than practice.

I mean more because of the level of resistance he gives in practice scrimmage situations. In football, younger offensive and defensive linemen often give credit to their more experienced and talented offensive/defensive counterparts for making them work harder in practice. From my own experience this is true in both football and rugby.

But I can't think of an example where a younger guy who was a known talent (like say Patrick O''Bryant or Greg Steimsma) come to play with KG and get better offensively.

Maybe I'm forgetting someone, or basketball doesn't work the same as football. Just something you'd expect to see.

[arambone]

Who might have turned out to be a better scorer if not for practicing against KG?

Kendrick Ewing?

Greg the Stilt?

Brandon O'Bass?

Big 2nd Round Baby?

Leon Dream On?

[indeedproceed]

Who might have turned out to be a better scorer if not for practicing against KG?

Kendrick Ewing?

Greg the Stilt?

Brandon O'Bass?

Big 2nd Round Baby?

Leon Dream On?

Bass and Baby seem like the most logical choices; they were the least limited by an inability to score farther than 5 feet from the rim, and Glen Davis is pretty skilled for all his brain farts.

And you could say BBD got better, and did it quicker than most bigs before plateauing. Bass didn't show any improvement.

[Celtics4ever]

Playing against better players always help you in games.   I think Steamer probably got better as a result.

[SHAQATTACK]

I agree , Bass seems to be ...ah BASS ...he is steady at what he does.  Bass 's game is not inside one , so I don't think KG has had a huge impact on him offensively.  I do think Bass has become a decent defender or at least KG and Doc have him trying to do better in this reguard.

I 'm hoping and praying , the BIG payoff having KG as tutor will be with Fab Melo and Sully.  They are young and have the correct type of bodies and talent to develope. They like the ruff inside game and defensive play many guys shy away from ( JJJ for example) his mind and body were just not meant to battle guys like Gasol, Bynum and Howard.

If Sully and Fab work out in the long run ..I think they will have to give KG some credit. 

[Eja117]

I would think the thing making them better offensive players would be practicing with Rondo and coaching from an all-star PG

[wdleehi]

Depends on the players mentality and potential.


A driven player will work to improve and learn.



A non-driven player (Blatche) will get frustrated and slowly move their offense farther and farther away from the basket.

[pearljammer10]

I would think it would. Whenever you play against a better player over and over again you should be getting better all around. Unless these players are tuning kg out, then he won't help them at all.

[CelticG1]

I don't think it would necessarily help. Could destroy your confidence, could make you second guess yourself a bit. I think especially for a young guy who isn't established and lacks confidence is going to have trouble.in that situation.

Maybe someone who is already established offensively a bit otherwise its probably fairly demoralizing.

I don't think Avery Bradley would necessarily make a teammate better by playing him either. Maybe it could help someone like Rondo but someone young and not established it could just ruin them