Last Updated on July 6, 2024 by Mathew Diekhake
There have been very few players that I have ever seen who couldn’t go out and shoot the basketball. But I think that shooting is an instinctive thing with most basketball players. I’m looking for players who are dedicated to playing the difficult part of the game. And the difficult part of the game would be playing the tough defense.
– 1973 Philaedlia 76ers rookie camp.
Shooting well is difficult and not instinctive. But there is nothing more unaesthetic on a basketball court than a greedy shooter who doesn’t play defense. I only consider a player to be very good when they are good at offense and defense. Being good at defense is a combination of intelligence, effort, and skill. Shane Battier was a great defender.