Anybody that happens to follow Cleveland sports, or our little blog here, knows the importance of Mo Williams. I'll admit that my knowledge of our point guard prior to his acquisition was very minimal. I knew he was a good player for the Bucks, but I did not expect what we have witnessed this season. I figured he was a typical NBA player who would get his points on a combination of drives to the hoop and some streaky jump-shooting. Maybe it's because we had to suffer and watch Larry Hughes "have fun" the last couple of years that I have been surprised by Mr. Mo and his ability as a Professional basketball player.Let me clarify what I mean by a Professional basketball player. Technically anybody that receives some form of payment for playing basketball can be considered a professional. In my mind what makes Mo a Professional basketball player is his ability to make his jump-shots when he is open. It sounds stupid and simple, but how many times have you seen NBA players miss open jump-shots the last 15 years? I know the stats show the M0 has been in the top 5 the last 2 years in FG% on 2-point shots, but I would love to see his FG% for shots he has taken while left open. Anytime I see him raise up for a shot when left open I feel about 90% confident that he is going to make that shot. That's what makes him a Professional. I expect Professionals to be at the top of their game and do things consistently that I couldn't do. I would never be able to consistently hit a jump-shot in an NBA game, let alone any other form of a basketball game. Whenever he makes one of those jumpers I'm always thinking, "I'm glad my team has that Professional basketball player".
Obviously this isn't to say that Lebron or any other NBA'ers are not professional basketball players, this is just a type of classification for basketball players. Some players are born to play the game: Lebron. Some are born with the genetic size to play the game: Varajeo and Big z. Some are born with IQ to succeed at the game: Eric Snow. Some hustle and work their tails off to play the game: Delonte. And some, like our friend Mo, have taken the time to hone their shooting touch so that they don't waste the opportunity of an open jumper. How many times have you seen Allen Iverson miss an open jumper? Anytime I see him raise up for a jumper I give the shot a 40% chance of going in. Even when Lebron shoots I give it about a 40% chance of going where it's intended. But with Mo that confidence level skyrockets. Derek Fisher is another player that elicits this type of confidence and for historical examples I will point our Steve Kerr and John Paxson. All good players, not superstars, but absolute Professionals in their field.
The confidence that I have in a shooter is what makes them a Professional in my mind. So next time Mo nails a 3 or an open jumper just think to yourself, "man, I'm glad my team has that Professional basketball player" and take another sip of your PBR in celebration.
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24 comments:
Mo Williams has been a great addition to this team, but he is having a similar year statistically as he did in Milwaukee. He is shining on this greatly assembled cavs team,because they are winning, which is the reason for his all star selection.
Also...great PBR reference at the end of the post- I was enjoying a few last night watching the cavaliers dismantle the Grizz.
Very insightful post...not sure how one measures a "professional" basketball player, but you seem to pinpoint it in this article.
Wouldnt expect anything else from posts on this blog.
changing your tune towards the blog lenny k?
Why yes, i am amazed at the insightfulness your writers have for sports topics, it deepens my prospective of "professional" athletes...
I wouldnt expect anyone who writes for your blog to get the hint either...so dont feel bad once you figure it out.
and yet you and a number of others keep coming back for more. so we must be doing something right.
Yes you do have the goods for an excellent blog...i will wait a minute for you to process sarcasm...
Ok, you keep me young..
lenny k,
I get your sarcasm, I just don't appreciate it. This blog is an effort to share our thoughts and opinions as Cleveland sports fans. You don't have to agree with what we write or how we write and you're entitled to your own opinion. People are free to read or not read this blog as this see fit. Obviously, we've struck some sort of chord with you that you feel the need to continually post unproductive remarks. I've invited you to respond with your own views on the teams as you see fit in the past. Perhaps you can teach us a thing or two about writing about Cleveland sports. Until then, perhaps you can find a better use your time and our own.
You better check yourself when you're talking to Lennk k, Alvaro. You're talking about a man who almost decided to become a professional sports executive before thinking better of it and electing to become a computer guy. Consequently, he's also the guy who just about to buy that Ferrari but then at the last second decide to go with the Chevy Cobalt instead.
Ah lenny, we appreciate your patronage here at CMCR. You may say ridiculous things and you're completely out of your league but you're certainly entertaining. Keep it coming my friend.
Finally some respect in here...thank biff, ur the man.
Well if you want some of my insight to help you fellas, why is there no discussion about the poor scheduling by gilbert b/c the cavs have 7 games in 10 days coming up. You'd think they would have made a better schedule for the cavaliers. Everyone talks about how he and ferry should be front office of the year.
I know if i were in front office i wouldnt schedule this tough of a stretch in late feb.
Lenny K and Snowfall from the Plain Dealer's Cavs forum seem to have the same views on scheduling. And the same desire to provoke a reaction.
I'm pretty sure Fery and Gilbert did this on purpose to boost the team's RPI rating just in case the Cavs don't win the central division tournament and need to rely on the selection committee for an at-large bid.
On a brighter note, I heard Ferry is in talks with the AD from the trailblazers about a home and home in 2010-11.
Ya i guess they wanted to improve their strength of schedule, which is also what some college football programs should do as well. A tougher schedule should be taken into consideration when determining seeds for this year playoffs. 7 games in 10 days should count for something i hope, especially if we run through them all with wins. I guess we'll find out when playoffs arrive, but Cleveland with homecourt will be very scary in the playoffs. Hopefully Stern remembers this stretch and will award home court for the playoffs
I wouldnt be opposed to a home and home with portland, Lebron seems to always be close to triple-double when he faces them.
Keep the faith cleveland, if Cavs are awarded home court, we should get the trophy case ready for the Larry O'Brien
lenny k,
Your Wisdom is only surpassed by your writing prowess. Keep up the good fight with these numbskulls!!
-A huge fan of awesomeness
Thanks Chuck, yes awesomeness is all around us...now people who write for this blog go crack open another pbr and make remarks about this great team you call yourself fans of.
Does anyone else think it would be pure magic if we could put together an ESPN first take type show with lenny k lining up to debate, say, Kige Ramsey. Tell me you wouldn't be glued to a program like that.
I don't know Biff, I think Kige Ramsey's contract with youtube sports is pretty ironclad. You might have a hard time getting him out from under it.
i've got a hundred on Lenny guys...any takers?
That guy is awesomeness
Lenny, how much do you know about the SEC? If you're willing to put in the study time, I think you could take him.
I know that it needs to review some its policies, as this troubling economic times have caused the SEC to be called into question, i have more feelings on this subject but not sure why are you are wondering my knowledge on this commission..?
You say Lebron was born to play the game. I'm pretty sure if he decided to go the football route instead of basketball, we'd all be saying he was born to play that game, too.
And the poor planning by the front office stares the cavaliers in the face starting at 8:00 tonight...7 games in 10 days. How do you think the cavs will do over the next 7 games? My view is 5-2 with losses at miami and at san antonio.
Ferry really blew his scheduling means on this stretch...thoughts?
I think I was hoping that you were being serious because it would've been a lot of fun but sadly, we've all just taken the bait.
Lenny I've been saying this for years. Is Danny Ferry trying to prove he's some kind of big man with all these back to backs? It's a suicide mission I tell ya! There is no shame whatsoever in scheduling a few days off this time of year, Thank you so much for having the insight to speak up against this injustice perpetrated against us fans by our clueless GM/schedule maker. Mitch Kupchak and Danny Ainge would never willingly put THEIR teams behind the 8 ball like this. You sir are like an Erin Brockovich for the 21st century, seeking out wrongs and trying to right them. God Bless You!!!
Thanks for the support guys, but the problem is im only one man, if we get the word out to our front office about the scheduling injustices that is the Cleveland Cavaliers than maybe situations like this wouldnt arise. I realize that the Cavs share the Q with other groups but I've also been saying this for years, the professional basketball team should get to set the schedule first making themselves priority number 1.
Anyways i advise each and every one of you to let your voice be heard and write emails or letters-which ever you prefer- to the front office as they need to hear the voice of the fan and nothing else...
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