New Bob Cousy video with all footage I've got:

[CavaliersFTW]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_-C3AGGadMc/VNEX5sh-FWI/AAAAAAAAFrE/1uPnuLsxHCY/s640/cousyyoutube2.jpg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-xa6546ixc)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-xa6546ixc

I think that's everything I've got now. The old vid was 11 minutes this one is 14 so I had 3 more minutes of clips that found their way in.

[kshutts1]

My god.

Not sure if it's the video being a poor quality or what, but some of those passes look down-right magical.

Thanks for this. I don't really have the patience to sit through all your videos, but that's not an indictment of your ability, not by any means. Incredible work.

[el_locoteee]

Talking about no look passes, some of his are truly NO LOOK.

[Demitri98]

Inclined me to look him up on Bball Reference...

He shot 37% for his career :biggums:

[CavaliersFTW]

Inclined me to look him up on Bball Reference...

He shot 37% for his career :biggums:
Well add some context, unless you think Wilt's 27 rebounds a game as a rookie is a totally linear translation to the basketball game you see played today than why assume Cousy's 37% is just like that?

Due to a different brand of game with different rules, the entire league shot worse in Cousy's era, relative to his era I'd imagine he actually shot about as efficiently as Russell Westbrook shoots today, though Cousy didn't look to score like Westbrook. So no, still not great efficiency... but in context his scoring output was good enough to be respected. Cousy's role wasn't to carry the offensive load anyways, it was to distribute it. And that he did as well as anyone can do.

[IncarceratedBob]

Austin Rivers is a better shooter than this dude..... Nuf said

[RoundMoundOfReb]

dat vert in op's picture :eek: world record in the 60s :applause:

[jlip]

Well add some context, unless you think Wilt's 27 rebounds a game as a rookie is a totally linear translation to the basketball game you see played today than why assume Cousy's 37% is just like that?

Due to a different brand of game with different rules, the entire league shot worse in Cousy's era, relative to his era I'd imagine he actually shot about as efficiently as Russell Westbrook shoots today, though Cousy didn't look to score like Westbrook. So no, still not great efficiency... but in context his scoring output was good enough to be respected. Cousy's role wasn't to carry the offensive load anyways, it was to distribute it. And that he did as well as anyone can do.

Relative to league average, Cousy's fg% was much more efficient than Jason Kidd's.

[Haymaker]

Well add some context, unless you think Wilt's 27 rebounds a game as a rookie is a totally linear translation to the basketball game you see played today than why assume Cousy's 37% is just like that?

Due to a different brand of game with different rules, the entire league shot worse in Cousy's era, relative to his era I'd imagine he actually shot about as efficiently as Russell Westbrook shoots today, though Cousy didn't look to score like Westbrook. So no, still not great efficiency... but in context his scoring output was good enough to be respected. Cousy's role wasn't to carry the offensive load anyways, it was to distribute it. And that he did as well as anyone can do.

Very true. Remember Cousy played in the early years. FG% and efficiency wasn't as important as it is now. The game was still evolving and gaining form.

[CavaliersFTW]

Very true. Remember Cousy played in the early years. FG% and efficiency wasn't as important as it is now. The game was still evolving and gaining form.
Efficiency was as important as anytime, you certainly wanted the ball to go in, it was probably just more difficult to obtain due to different defensive and offensive rules.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Why do 60s stans only want to adjust for league average when it's convenient. They'll say this about Cousy's percentages but not about Wilt's numbers (one guy told me he'd average 34/18/4/6 lol), or Wilt/Russell's rings.

[Velocirap31]

Came in here thinking this guy would be lame by today's standards, but no, his passing ability and ball handling would make him a star in today's game. Very Steve Nash-like, but Cousy seems quicker.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

His ball handling is not suited to today's game to put it lightly. He doesn't switch hands naturally. And before someone says it was solely an era thing - explain why Oscar switches hands much more naturally.

[CavaliersFTW]

Why do 60s stans only want to adjust for league average when it's convenient. They'll say this about Cousy's percentages but not about Wilt's numbers (one guy told me he'd average 34/18/4/6 lol), or Wilt/Russell's rings.
34 points and 18 rebounds is a massive adjustment for Wilt, he averaged 50.4+ and 27+ at his peak.

:hammerhead:

You just ethered yourself.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

34 points and 18 rebounds is a massive adjustment for Wilt, he averaged 50.4+ and 27+ at his peak.

:hammerhead:

You just ethered yourself.

One semi-outlier year playing 48.5 minutes which he wouldn't be able to do in today's game.

[jlip]

Why do 60s stans only want to adjust for league average when it's convenient. They'll say this about Cousy's percentages but not about Wilt's numbers (one guy told me he'd average 34/18/4/6 lol), or Wilt/Russell's rings.

Considering Wilt's peak numbers were 50/27/8/ I would like to think that lowering those numbers by 16/9/4 to 34/18/4 is a very reasonable adjustment. That's not adjusting when "convenient". Each one of those numbers were achieved by players in the 90's and 00's.

Also the only individual 60's stat that is inflated is rebounding. Individual scoring is based upon the same principle it has always been, fgs attempted and made. MJ attempted more fgs per game for his career while playing fewer minutes in a slower paced era than Wilt. Kobe has attempted more fgs per game than Oscar while playing in a slower era and fewer minutes. Iverson attempted more shots per game than West. If MJ and Kobe can shoot the ball 27 times a game and average over 35ppg for a season, why couldn't a 7'2" athletic freak such as Wilt do the same?

1980-1993 is the era of inflated assists. I would venture to say that between 1/4- 1/3 of the passes in Cousy's video that would count as assists today did not count as assists in his era, because the assist was not awarded in the 60's if the scorer dribbled the ball once. In today's game, you can pass the ball to a player at half court, they take four dribbles, and yet be awarded an assist.

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Blocks were also ridiculously inflated.

[jlip]

Blocks were also ridiculously inflated.

But they were not "officially" counted. That's why I didn't include them.

[CavaliersFTW]

His ball handling is not suited to today's game to put it lightly. He doesn't switch hands naturally. And before someone says it was solely an era thing - explain why Oscar switches hands much more naturally.
He throws a left handed wrap around behind the back pass to a trailer on the fast break and shoots a running hook shot off glass with his left hand. Most "modern" players would struggle to execute both of those plays but with only a 1% sample size of his career we can observe Cousy doing it yet of all the things you could talk about after watching the video you choose to say that because Cousy doesn't emulate the AI generation depending on mid-dribble crossovers you think he's not suited to play today okay :oldlol:

Frank Selvy one of Cousy's less talented contemporaries used fundamental crossovers "naturally" (defender goes on one side of him, he immediately switched hands, and visa versa) I suppose that makes him better suited for today's game as opposed to Cousy's desire to keep the ball in his right so as to throw those deadly right handed whip passes?

I see what you're saying now. **** all that other outstanding stuff Cousy's doing. A crossover is what all the scouts would zero in on and shake their heads in disapproval over.

[AirFederer]

Sick court vision, talk about blind passes! I really enjoyed that!

He'd be a star today imho. :applause:

[Rake2204]

Appears to be very good stuff here. I've only watched the first two minutes so far and I'm really digging it. Always had a soft spot for Cousy as his biography was one of the few basketball-related books my middle school carried in the 90's.

All this era-comparison aside, I just like imagining what a trip it'd be if we could bring Bob Cousy to one of my local courts Bill & Ted style, just transforming him to the present day to see his style implemented in a new environment. Many of his plays are spectacular but relatively unusual in execution (his straight-armed fake shot, no look pass back). Would be a sight.

[CavaliersFTW]

Appears to be very good stuff here. I've only watched the first two minutes so far and I'm really digging it. Always had a soft spot for Cousy as his biography was one of the few basketball-related books my middle school carried in the 90's.

All this era-comparison aside, I just like imagining what a trip it'd be if we could bring Bob Cousy to one of my local courts Bill & Ted style, just transforming him to the present day to see his style implemented in a new environment. Many of his plays are spectacular but relatively unusual in execution (his straight-armed fake shot, no look pass back). Would be a sight.
The game is played very homogenously today. Like players are just factory stamped by AAU, and everyone tries to make their mechanics on everything (shooting, handling, etc) look "like Mike". Can't blame them, he's a no brainer to emulate and he's incredibly well documented. But it's fun to watch how many other effective playing styles there have been when I complete these vids on players from prior to the MJ generation.

[Dro]

You guys are late, where were you when Cavs posted his first Cousy video? Anyway, Cousy is impressive. I see no reason why he couldn't be just as good in today's league. Skill is skill and his kind of passing ability is a gift. Just like Magic, Pistol, Bird, etc....

[TheMarkMadsen]

great passer but would never see the court today due to his awful shot, i mean the small sample of shots we saw in that clip were just terrible

[Droid101]

Blocks were also ridiculously inflated.
Now I've heard everything.

A stat that wasn't even counted at the time, was inflated.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

[RoundMoundOfReb]

Now I've heard everything.

A stat that wasn't even counted at the time, was inflated.

:roll: :roll: :roll:

The amount of blocks actually performed was inflated. It's irrelevant if someone wrote them down on papersince we're talking about how Wilt's statline would translate TODAY.

[fsvr54]

That passing is NASTY!

[Marchesk]

great passer but would never see the court today due to his awful shot, i mean the small sample of shots we saw in that clip were just terrible

He would have to work on his shooting mechanics, but his dribbling, passing and quickness would get him on the court.

Let's not forget what Kobe's FG% was this year, or Rubio's FG% for his career.

[oarabbus]

great passer but would never see the court today due to his awful shot, i mean the small sample of shots we saw in that clip were just terrible


Yeah the league has no place for a rich man's Ricky Rubio....

[WillC]

I watched your new Cousy video on my lunch break yesterday. Thanks so much for putting it together, it's a masterpiece :applause:

[SHAQisGOAT]

Good shit yet again man :applause:

Cousy could really pass that rock, kept it on a string too... Reckon he'd be something like Steve Nash without the great J, nowadays, better inside moves though.

[swagga]

Good shit yet again man :applause:

Cousy could really pass that rock, kept it on a string too... Reckon he'd be something like Steve Nash without the great J, nowadays, better inside moves though.

he couldn't even use his offhand and he'd be like steve nash ? :lol
how would he even get inside with that ballhandling? it's not like he'd be posting up to get the ball :lol
I'll not even continue, you are beyond hope. god bless and stay safe.

[GrapeApe]

If he were playing today he'd adapt his game accordingly. The skills were obviously there. I have no doubt he'd be an elite PG.

[CavaliersFTW]

Modern opponent: "Cousy you can't hack it today we can cross you up we got handles"

*Cousy watches cross-over realizes smothering the ball during a dribble is not a turnover anymore

*Cousy does a wrap around behind the back crossover and whips blind lob to the center for a stuff

Crowd has unanimous heart attack. CouSanity begins.

[Relinquish]

Efficiency was as important as anytime, you certainly wanted the ball to go in, it was probably just more difficult to obtain due to different defensive and offensive rules.

Don't forget that back then if a player was fouled in the act of shooting, the shot still counted in the stats even if it was missed.

[LongLiveTheKing]

Imagine this guy against Westbrook :roll:
He would be eaten alive. Most of his "no look" passes are so predictable that wouldn't work in the modern era.

[Sakkreth]

This is great, called Houdini of the hardwood for a good reason.

[CavaliersFTW]

Imagine this guy against Westbrook :roll:
He would be eaten alive. Most of his "no look" passes are so predictable that wouldn't work in the modern era.
Yeah it's so easy to read his pass. You know, based on how he's never looking at his targets... Just guard all the players he's not looking at, simple

[SHAQisGOAT]

he couldn't even use his offhand and he'd be like steve nash ? :lol
how would he even get inside with that ballhandling? it's not like he'd be posting up to get the ball :lol
I'll not even continue, you are beyond hope. god bless and stay safe.


All I'm watching is Cousy keeping that ball on a string (regardless of "style") and throwing some crazy passes, really knowing how to run the team, also making some great layups and hook-shots...

You think that Bob wouldn't also be a master with the basketball if he was playing under much "looser" rules? Think he wouldn't pull some sick crossovers and whatnot if carrying/palming/travelling wasn't called nearly as much? :rolleyes:

I've seen displays by little kids in the 60's showing some great ball-handling skills including all the flashy stuff you'd love to see (mostly illegal stuff at that time).
You had the Globe Trotters showing some crazy dribbling... I don't know why some of those players weren't in the NBA winning MVP's/rings.
Pistol Pete Maravich was always pulling some crazy shit with the basketball, stuff that later became "signature" moves for (recent) players, even some shit that was never duplicated afterwards (with much stricter rules), while being also 6'6, a nice athlete and a great shooter/scorer... and he was never considered better than someone like Jerry West, never came close to accomplish as much.

On the other hand, you "time-transport" AI to the 60's and he's getting called for a violation 9 times out of 10... For example.

Go show your ignorance somewhere else pls :facepalm

[SHAQisGOAT]

Imagine this guy against Westbrook :roll:
He would be eaten alive. Most of his "no look" passes are so predictable that wouldn't work in the modern era.

Just imagine a "short" white dude guarding the likes of Westbrook... Imagine a dude like that playing in this era :oldlol:

Oh, wait...

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/teamsites/images/legacy/suns/nash_0506mvp_index.jpg

:rolleyes:

[Dro]

If he were playing today he'd adapt his game accordingly. The skills were obviously there. I have no doubt he'd be an elite PG.
Some children don't seem to understand this basic logic. "But, but, he can't use his off hand"! :rolleyes:

There's a difference between NOT being able to use your off hand and playing in an early era where crossovers and all the carrying and palming of today was not accepted/not a part of the game.

You look at a guy and say yes he has great skill or he doesn't and obviously Cousy has a great feel for the game and great passing ability..

[3ball]

in cousy's era, defenders were allowed to camp in the paint, which depressed FG%.

let's not forget that there was no soft ass rule requiring defenders in the paint to stay within armslength of their man - that rule was specifically intended to prevent paint-camping, which was the NBA's #1 concern when they were developing new defensive rules in the early 2000's.

it's amazing that no one gives today's rules (that ban paint-camping) any credit for existing, or being implemented specifically to make it softer in the paint - the NBA has said that is why they implemented the rule - to open up the game and make it easier on offense... it's not debateable.
.