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New NBA Trend: Sharing the Ball!

When sharing the ball on the offensive end of the floor, basketball is played the way it is supposed to be played. However, that means less points for the superstars, and NBA is all about them. Superstars are crucial for the popularity of the league, and there is just too much money in the NBA and other professional sports to ignore this fact.

However, over the recent short period, a few NBA teams have been trying out a new playing strategy called – Team Basketball. San Antonio Spurs who currently sit 5th in the Western Conference have been using this strategy for years, which enabled them to win 5 NBA titles since 1999.

One of the sides that has been displaying the fun style of extra-pass playing is Rick Adelman’s 2000’s Sacramento Kings. Recently Kings have returned to similar ball sharing strategy and without a single superstar on their squad, they are a surprising playoff contender in the competitive western conference. Nuggets who’ve been sitting on top of the western conference this season also adopted this, for NBA rather unusual strategy with lots of passes and unique assists. Even though 3 of their starters were sidelined during the most part of this season, the team is still contending with Golden State Warriors for the top spot in the Western Conference.

How to play selfless team basketball:

To pass the ball effectively, at least 5 offensive players are required to work together in creating space and finding an opening to shoot. The guy with the ball should pass to an open player. In this style of play, individuality doesn’t matter since anybody can take a shot or score points. The goal is to work together as a team by passing the ball rapidly across different players in order to find open shots to the basket. Please note, parting with the basketball can be extremely difficult for superstars with a ballhoggenitis.

Team players should always be constantly moving without basketball, setting screens and passing as this opens up the players to take a smart shots. Spacing is equally important when sharing the ball, poor spacing often leads to bad passes and turning the ball. Ideally, perimeter players should be spaced around 12 to 15ft apart from each other, except when trying to screen or cut around another teammate for opening. Each player should try to maintain ample spacing from the ball, while filling up any open spots available in the court. Furthermore, players waiting on the 3-point arc do not have to take a shot if they are not open (unless they are Klay, Steph, or KD). Also players that are posting up, don’t need to take a shot every time. It is ok to pass the ball back. Not like Blake Griffin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owBZB7ZmNZ4

If you stand within the arc for no good reason, you may log’ things up for other teammates who won’t find a space to pass the ball, thus making it easier for the opponent’s defense team to take the ball away from you. Player formation is also crucial in this style of basketball as it determines the speed of play and passing momentum. One of the most common formations used by NBA teams is 1 in, 4 out or give the ball to your best player and he will come up with something. In this strategy there is no need to share the ball, unless you really have to.

To summarize, “superstar” players generate the increase in attendance and other revenue sources, and to create a superstar coach needs to give the ball to the best player and stuff his stats sheet. Despite that a true basketball fan knows what is good basketball, and appreciates teams that share the ball.

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