5 Qualities of an Impact Player

5 Qualities of an Impact Player

A couple weekends ago, I was able to pick the brain of a great basketball mind in Joe Niego of Lewis University and Chicago Lockdown Acclaim.  In our conversation, he broke down his five qualities of an impact player.  After listening and subsequently discussing the topic with him, I decided to expound upon Joe’s theory in writing and explain why I think it is valid, particularly in terms of the assessment of players.  The “5 Qualities of an Impact Player” (forever known as the 5QIP, both because acronyms are cool and because I don’t want to keep typing 5 Qualities of an Impact Player) are a great barometer for players and parents. It allows for an honest self-evaluation of their potential as a player as well as for coaches and talent evaluators who are trying to predict how a player will translate to the high school, collegiate, or pro level.

The 5 Qualities of an Impact Player are Size, Skill, Basketball IQ, Athleticism, and the Presence of the Junk Yard Dog.  The 5QIP theory is based on the belief that there is a direct correlation between the number of qualities a player possesses and the level of success that a player obtains OR has the potential to obtain.  For instance, if a player only has one of these five qualities, their ceiling is probably just being a member of their high school team and no more.  If they possess three of the qualities, they have the ability to play at the next level, but will probably not be a star.  As the number of qualities goes up, a player’s level of success rises with it.

Loosely speaking, the relationship looks something like this:

1 Quality = HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER

2 Qualities = HIGH SCHOOL STARTER

3 Qualities = COLLEGIATE PLAYER

4 Qualities = COLLEGE STARTER/POTENTIAL PRO

5 Qualities = PRO/POTENTIAL ALL-STAR

5 +  = HALL OF FAMER

 

Obviously, this theory isn’t all encompassing.  There are players who fall outside of these boundaries in either a positive or negative way.  For example, there are certainly pros who transcend these levels,

Size Doesn’t Matter for Sir Charles

but usually in those instances, they are absolutely off-the charts in one of the qualities (better known as the Super-Duper Quality).  Take someone like Charles Barkley for instance.  He had athleticism, skill, basketball IQ, and the Junk-Yard Dog factor.  For a Power-Forward though, he did not have the size.  According to the QIP theory, his ceiling would have been a great college player, and a marginal pro.  In Barkley’s case however, he had the Super-Duper quality in both athleticism and skill.  Translation:  NBA Hall of Famer and one of the greatest power forwards of all time. Similarly, there are college guys who possess 4 of the 5 qualities who might not ever sniff the starting line-up, let alone a pro roster, because they are off-the charts in a negative way with the other remaining quality (better known as the Pooper-Scooper Quality).  For instance, you may have a college guy who has great size, athleticism, skill, and the Junk-Yard Dog, but his basketball IQ is so shockingly poor, that he simply can’t be on the floor for long stretches or during late game situations.  While on the surface he is 4-quality guy, in reality, his “Bieber” like basketball IQ knocks him down to a 3 on the scale.

 

Certainly, there are varying degrees of each quality which put together, make up the total package.  For simplicity purposes though, we will use the “you either possess the quality or you don’t argument.”  This theory is not of the belief that everyone should get a trophy, so there is no half or other forms of partial credit.  The Super-Duper Quality acts as extra credit, while the Pooper-Scooper quality negates one of the qualities that a player does possess.  Does that make sense?   If not, either I possess the Pooper-Scooper quality as a writer or you as a reader.  Regardless, let’s take a look at the 5QIP in a more in-depth level.

1.  Size

 

Size can come in the form of height, bulk, or both.  Your possession of this quality is based on the position that you play.  A player who is 6’3 and a point guard has the size attribute, but if they are a power forward, they are definitely lacking in this area.  Similarly, a Power Forward weighing  250lbs has great size, but a Point Guard at that weight might be a better fit for your 40 and older league as opposed to a starter for the mid-major upstarts trying to make a Cinderella run.

Unfortunately, players and coaches have very little control of this quality.  Obviously, with a strong work ethic, healthy diet, and a great strength coach, muscle mass can be added to improve size.  That said, you are not going to transform from a 6’7 string bean to Ben Wallace without coming down with a bad case of ryanbraunitis.   Height, on the other hand is completely God-Given and something that an individual has no control over.  If your father was a wrestler (Think 110 lb weight class in High School, not Undertaker) and your mother was an alternate for Kerri Strug in the ’96 Olympics, you’re pretty much screwed on the size front.  Lucky for you, there are four more qualities that you may possess that will allow you to be pretty damn good regardless of your physical stature. (Think Barkley, Muggsy, or Spud)

2.  Skill

Skill involves the physical aspects of basketball: shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding, and defending.  This quality is integral to success but not an absolute requirement.  If a player possesses the other four qualities, they can get away with being sub-par in this department.  However, they must possess at least one physical skill that they do at a high level, even if they aren’t that skilled overall. (Think Rodman and Birdman’s rebounding and defense)  The skill quality above all others can disguise the deficiencies in other areas.  A person who has a top-notch skill level can often overcome the qualities that they were not physically blessed with.  (Think Nash, Hibbert, Duncan)

Out of the 5QIP, skill is the quality of which an individual has the 2nd most control.  With hard work, determination, and hours in the gym for a consistent number of years, individuals regardless of their size, basketball IQ, or athleticism can become remarkably fundamentally sound.  By that same token, there are no excuses when it comes to skill.  With the areas of athleticism or size, a player is pretty much working with what God has bestowed upon them.  When measuring their success as a player, a person can always blame genetics by saying “if only I had his speed or so and sos size, I could have been a pro.”  With skill, you can’t be an “if only” guy because no one has sympathy for something that you have an inordinate amount of control over.  That would be like if Aaron Hernandez told his cell mate “if only I hadn’t killed my buddy execution style”, I could have been All-Pro.  No one will feel sorry for him and no one will feel sorry for the player who didn’t work on his game.

 

3.  Basketball IQ

Basketball IQ is somewhat hard to define, but it is one of those characteristics that you know when you see it.  A high IQ guy is able to read situations and make the appropriate decision.  They are like chess players on the floor, always thinking 2 to 3 moves ahead.  Phrases like “eyes in the back of their head”, “coach on the floor”, and “always in the right place at the right time” are often used to describe them.  They are crafty, deceptive, and have great court vision.   They can control tempo and understand the strengths and weaknesses of their teammates,  opponents, and themselves.  They are great at moving without the ball, changing speeds, and are masters at using their bodies to their advantage.  Above all else, these are the type of guys that make the people around them better.

Basketball IQ is like size.  You either have it or you don’t.  You are not necessarily born with it, but it is instilled in you at an early age and hammered home on a consistent basis for years.  It comes through intently observing people who play and coach the game at high level, which is why many sons of coaches and professional players end up having basketball intelligence that is off the charts (Think Dunleavy or Steph Curry).  This is not to say that basketball IQ is something that can’t be improved upon in later years.  Studying the game by reading, watching film, and observing others will certainly help, but you will probably never possess the super-duper quality of guys who grew up in “basketball” families.

Sitch and Snooks

The point must be made that basketball IQ is not the same as book smarts.  These two forms of intelligence are mutually exclusive in that one is not necessarily needed for the other to be present .  A person might not be able to score above a 12 on the ACT, but could still be a basketball savant.  Both forms of intelligence however are similar in the fact that they are easier to acquire at a young age and harder to develop as a person gets older.  A child’s mind is like a sponge and can soak up anything thrown it’s way, but an adult ‘s mind is tough to change.  Just like how “The Situation” or “Snooki” will probably never develop the cure for cancer no matter how many books they read or time tables they memorize from this point forward, a player with a low basketball IQ in high school will probably never become a “High IQ” guy no matter how much film they watch or quality coaching they receive.  All is not lost however.  Baby Snooki will probably end up having a PHD in fist pumping, and a low basketball IQ can be hidden amongst great skill, size, and athleticism.  GTL BABY!  Gym Rat, Tall, Lengthy.

4.  Athleticism

Athleticism, particularly for a sport like basketball, is a game changer.  If you possess it, you have the ability to be a much better defender and rebounder than the average player, REGARDLESS of your skill level.  If you are a great athlete AND highly skilled, you are working with a deadly combination.  Your jump shot now becomes that much better because getting it off is not a problem, the great footwork that made you quick to begin with now looks like warp speed, and the lay-up that used to get sent into the fifth row by an athletic Big has transformed into a two handed facial.  Great athleticism is the elixir for all basketball maladies and the basketball Viagra for areas that are already strengths.

On the controllability scale, athleticism probably falls somewhere in the middle of the 5QIP.  The “Super-Duper” gene is genetically based and unattainable for 99.9 percent of the population, but with proper training and commitment, a player can go from poor to average, average to good, and good to great athleticism.  Not having athleticism is not an excuse for failure however, nor is having it a guarantee for success.  Think of it from the perspective of an actress’s attractiveness.  Someone who is great looking has a leg up on their competition in terms of landing roles and winning Oscars, but a Kathy Bates or Sandra Oh might sneak in the mix if you sleep on their versatility and screen presence.  On the other hand, just because someone is smoking hot (Mike Dib. reference),  it doesn’t mean they will be a great actress.  Just take a look at Beyoncé’s IMDB filmography -post Dream Girls.  Thinking in terms of basketball and the 5QIP, Kevin Love and Tim Duncan are the basketball equivalent to Bates and Oh, while Tyrus Thomas continues to sit his Bootylicious on the pine.
5.  The Junk-Yard Dog

Here is a great-quote that sums up the Junk-Yard Dog Quality:  “The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when no one else is watching.”  The JYD  epitomizes this statement with an uncanny work ethic both in practice and in game situations.  They don’t just go all out only when it is convenient or during an evaluation period.  They lay it all on the line during every drill, scrimmage, practice, and game regardless of how tired they are or how many people are in the stands.  The JYD has a nose for the ball and gets on the floor when his team is up or down 30.  The JYD stays in a stance and closes out properly on every possession.  He will sacrifice his body by taking a charge or setting a hard screen.  He will find a way to will his team to victory even when he is having an off night or when he is facing a superior opponent.  A JYD has a maniacal competitive streak and people will describe them as someone that you “hate to play against, but love to play with.”  A Shane Battier or Dennis Rodman come to mind when you think about guys who overcome weaknesses by having this quality in the Super-Duper form.  When you have guys who have the Junk-Yard Dog quality to go along with their size, athleticism, Basketball IQ, and skills, then this is where you start to talk about the greatest of all time.  Jordan had it, Kobe has it, and Lebron shows flashes.  In contrast, there are guys who have all the talent in the world with God-given gifts who never quite reach their potential.  That is because the Junk-Yard Dog does not live inside them (Think Carmello or Dwight Howard).

Out of all the qualities, this is the one that an individual has the most control over.  It is simply mind over matter and requires ZERO physical gifts.  If you are short in supply of size, athleticism, skills, and basketball IQ, you better be a junk-yard dog.  Otherwise, you are pretty much useless to your coach and teammates.  If you don’t have it in you, you can never complain about minutes, make excuses, or ask for more shots.  If you did have it in you, you probably wouldn’t do those things anyways because that goes against the entire Junk Yard Dog mentality.  By rare chance that you did however, you are much more likely to get the benefit of the doubt from your coach and teammates.  Would Dennis Rodman been forgiven for all his shenanigans if he did not have the JYD trait by the boatload?  I don’t think so.

A Quasi-Quality:

An additional quality that can play a role is character.  It wasn’t included in the “Five Qualities of Impact Players”  because a.  I didn’t think about it until well into writing this piece and thus, I already grew attached to the ring of 5QIP and b.  Having  great character isn’t necessarily going to make you a better player, it will only be your downfall if you don’t have any.  Let me explain.

A coach could bring Jesus Christ himself in, a man of the ultimate moral principles, to be his starting two-guard, but if he wasn’t either skilled, athletic, tall, with a high basketball IQ or have the Junk Yard Dog in him, there would be little use for him.  Woah, I know what you Eddie Harris type guys are thinking “Are you saying Jesus Christ can’t hit a jump shot ?”  No, that’s not what I am saying at all.  I’m sure JC was a hell of a player in his day and is posterizing deceased hall of famers beyond the heavenly gates as we speak.  All I’m saying is that having character alone will not be a factor in your on-court performance if you don’t have any of the other qualities.  By contrast, if you are of low character and get caught up in drugs, cheat on your wife, or dabble in a felony or two in the offseason, you might slowly flush all your great qualities down the toilet  (Think Chris Herren, Richard Dumas, or Jayson Williams of Manslaughter acclaim, not motorcycle).  As Robert Deniro’s character told his son in the Bronx Tale, “The saddest thing in life is wasted talent.”  Being a player without character will ultimately lead you down that road in one way or another.

Anybody below the age of 30 know who this is?  EXACTLY

Now that we have identified what the 5QIP theory is and explained it in great detail.  Let’s test it out with some current and former players at both the pro and college level.

Good College Players that couldn’t quite make it in the Pros:

John Scheyer:

Size:  Yes (6’5 for a SG is pretty good)
Skill:  Yes (Fundamentally, he was a pro)
Basketball IQ:  Yes (Dukies usually have it)
Athleticism:  No (Not a great Leaper)
Junk Yard Dog:  Yes (Never seemed to Tire, Scrappy)

Conclusion:  4 out of 5.  The Theory works for Scheyer.  He was a very good college player who had a chance in the pros but couldn’t stick.  Without athleticism, he needed one Super-Duper quality which he didn’t quite have.  He was very good, but not great in the four qualities that he did possess.

Mateen Cleaves:

Size:  Yes (6’2, 200lbs)
Skill:  No (Not a good enough passer or ball handler to make up for his lack of shooting ability)
Basketball IQ:  Yes (Coach on the Floor for Izzo.  Izzo son’s middle name is Mateen for God’s sake)
Athleticism:  No (Did not have NBA speed, quickness, or rise)
Junk Yard Dog:  Yes (*The Super-Duper Gene)

Conclusion:  4 out of 5.  The theory works for Cleaves as well. On the surface, he is a three quality guy, but if you look up Junk Yard Dog in the dictionary, there would be a picture of Mateen which earns him one extra credit point.  Just like Scheyer, he was a borderline NBA player.  Unlike Scheyer, Mateen was able to have a short career in the League because coaches and teammates place a ton of value on the JYD trait.  It makes for a great end of the bench guy because they will bring it in practice everyday and are great cheerleaders during games.

Good, but Not Great Pros:

Vince Carter:

Size:  Yes (6’6 Shooting Guard)
Skill:  Yes (If you average 20 for your career, you are very skilled)
Basketball IQ:  Yes (although it is close to a No)
Athleticism:  Yes (Ungodly and *The Super-Duper Gene)
Junk Yard Dog:  No (Bad Motor, Lazy, and Cancerous…close to the Pooper-Scooper)

Conclusion:  5 out of 5.  Vince ends up being an 8-time All-Star thanks in large part to his unmatched athleticism.  Just think if he had Kobe or Jordan’s JYD.  We may be talking about a Hall of Famer and one of the greatest of all-time.  Theory seems to hold up here as well.

Yao Ming:

Size:  Yes (*Super-Duper Gene)
Skill:  Yes (Could shoot and pass incredibly well)
Basketball IQ:  Yes (You could tell that he understood what he was doing and why he was doing it)
Athleticism:  Yes (If you are 7’5 and can walk and chew gum at the same time you got it)
Junk Yard Dog:  No (Felt like he was one of those guys who played because he was tall, not because
                            he loved it).

Conclusion:  5 out of 5.  Yao was an all-star, but probably not a Hall-of-Famer based on the numbers (Although I think he will get in based on the Globalization Factor).  His size was able to negate the lack of the JYD.  If he did have it in him, there is no question that he could have been the greatest Center of all-time as long as he stayed healthy.

The Greatest of All-Time

Michael Jordan:

Size:  Yes (6’6 Shooting Guard)
Skill:  Yes (Could do it all on both the offensive and defensive end *Super-Duper Gene)
Basketball IQ:  Yes (One of the smartest to ever play *Super-Duper Gene)
Athleticism:  Yes (Dunking from free throw line = *Super-Duper Gene)
Junk Yard Dog:  Yes (If his near pyschotic HOF speech was any indication, *Super-Duper Gene)

Conclusion:  9 out of 5.  Jordan was the greatest of all-time and will probably never be equaled.  The only way anyone could ever surpass him is if they had a similar pedigree as a player but happened to be two inches taller.  Lebron?  It might end up being closer than I initially though, as they will both be 9 out of 5s, by the time Lebron retires.  The tie-breaker will come down to the JYD factor.  Edge:  Jordan, by a lot.  Lebron lost this battle as soon as he took his talents to South Beach.

So What’s the Point?

For me as a high school coach, I am always trying to impress upon my players how good you have to be to play at the next level.  While my role is to inspire them to obtain their dreams, I also have to be the one to give them the reality of the situation as well.  “Johnny, you are 5’5, have no left hand, and have a 20 inch vertical leap.  College coaches are not going to be knocking down your door.”  Although it may seem harsh, in reality, this honest evaluation is exactly what they need.  They have to understand how to live in the present, as opposed to constantly pipe-dreaming about the future.  Parents won’t tell their children this because they have a natural inclination to turn a blind eye to weaknesses and only focus on their kid’s strengths.  “But Johnny is super-smart and he works harder than anyone!”  Well, under the 5-QIP theory, Johnny might be able to start for our high school team.  Unless he grows 7-inches or spends his off-days consuming skill-development drills by the dozen, he is probably playing his last year of competitive basketball.  He needs to enjoy the moment and take the lessons that he learned from his playing experiences on to the next phase of life.  Isn’t that what sports is all about?  At least now the 5-QIP theory gives me some reading material to hand out when I deliver this dose of reality.

On the other side of the equation, I may have an incoming freshman who has the size, athleticism, and basketball IQ.  His skills are almost there, but he doesn’t quite have the JYD in him yet.  As is, he is probably a college player already based on his natural gifts.  The 5-QIP theory can now be used to motivate and inspire.  “Mikey, you have been blessed with size, athleticism, and a high basketball IQ.  You are probably going to be a good high school player regardless if you work at it or not.  Just imagine what you could be if you became a tireless worker.  Think about how dominant you would be if you became a dead-eye shooter.  What if you approached every drill, every practice, every possession, and every game like it was your last?  You could be an Impact Player at the collegiate level and a potential pro.  Unlike a lot of kids your age, the ball is literally and figuratively in your court.  Don’t be a “What if” guy ten years from now.”  Now, the 5-QIP MIGHT be the kick in the butt that a player needs to reach their true potential.

In the end, players, coaches and parents need be true to themselves.  While the 5-QIP might not be perfect,  it is a self-evaluative tool that lays the groundwork for what a person is capable of, incapable of , and what is actually feasible to change.  You can’t ask for anything more than that.