ralph_i_el
02-18-2014, 12:45 PM
I'd just like to share my way of thinking about players.
Guys fall into two categories, Engines and Role Players.
an "engine" is a player that you would build a team around. They create opportunities and impose their own style. Every team needs an engine or they aren't going anywhere. Traditionally most superstars and 6th men would be classified as "engines". These players more often than not play the 1-3 positions. More often than not the numbers of the other players on the team are heavily dependent on the play of "engines"
examples: Lebron, Cp3, Rondo, Kobe, Wall, Blake Griffin, Dirk, Marc Gasol, Tim Duncan (ect ect....)
less successful examples: Jordan crawford, tyreke evans
"Role players" get a bad reputation around here. Teams don't win without players who fill the necessary roles. You need rim D, wing D, bigs who can move the ball, floor spacers, rebounders, FINISHERS, ect.... Your "engine" players aren't going to look very good if they aren't supported by excellent role players. Some role players are MORE valuable than "engines" because they are so good at filling their roles that they have a huge influence on wins and losses. This more often than not stems from their ability to fill multiple niches at a high level.
examples: Dwight Howard, Kevin Love, Kyle Korver, J Noah, Hibbert, Klay Thompson, Wesley Matthews, Ibaka
I have noticed that on ISH and among basketball fans in general, "engines" are overrated and role players and chronically underrated. One can succeed without the other. If you look at most of the great teams in history you see tons of engine/role player superstar tandems that made each other look good. Some "engine" type players don't pan out because they can't win as the man, and can't fall back into a role player role. These are the guys that end up as 6th men. Some guys CAN fall back into a role player role and remain successful (think Chris Bosh or Lance Stephenson)
Thoughts? Who are the engines on your favorite team? Which players fill the most roles?
Kevin Durant is an interesting case that straddles the line between role player and engine. His massive talent is now overcoming his natural inclination to play super-unselfish ball.
Guys fall into two categories, Engines and Role Players.
an "engine" is a player that you would build a team around. They create opportunities and impose their own style. Every team needs an engine or they aren't going anywhere. Traditionally most superstars and 6th men would be classified as "engines". These players more often than not play the 1-3 positions. More often than not the numbers of the other players on the team are heavily dependent on the play of "engines"
examples: Lebron, Cp3, Rondo, Kobe, Wall, Blake Griffin, Dirk, Marc Gasol, Tim Duncan (ect ect....)
less successful examples: Jordan crawford, tyreke evans
"Role players" get a bad reputation around here. Teams don't win without players who fill the necessary roles. You need rim D, wing D, bigs who can move the ball, floor spacers, rebounders, FINISHERS, ect.... Your "engine" players aren't going to look very good if they aren't supported by excellent role players. Some role players are MORE valuable than "engines" because they are so good at filling their roles that they have a huge influence on wins and losses. This more often than not stems from their ability to fill multiple niches at a high level.
examples: Dwight Howard, Kevin Love, Kyle Korver, J Noah, Hibbert, Klay Thompson, Wesley Matthews, Ibaka
I have noticed that on ISH and among basketball fans in general, "engines" are overrated and role players and chronically underrated. One can succeed without the other. If you look at most of the great teams in history you see tons of engine/role player superstar tandems that made each other look good. Some "engine" type players don't pan out because they can't win as the man, and can't fall back into a role player role. These are the guys that end up as 6th men. Some guys CAN fall back into a role player role and remain successful (think Chris Bosh or Lance Stephenson)
Thoughts? Who are the engines on your favorite team? Which players fill the most roles?
Kevin Durant is an interesting case that straddles the line between role player and engine. His massive talent is now overcoming his natural inclination to play super-unselfish ball.