What Would A Hyper-Modern NBA Player Look Like?

The NBA as a league is undergoing change on multiple fronts.

Teams are pushing three-point shooting to never before seen levels. So called “3-and-D” players (specialists in three-point shooting and defense on the wing) are highly coveted. Gone are the days of the overpowering, slow-footed giant who operates in the low block. These are the days of ball movement, screens, and passing up good looks inside the arc for great looks beyond it.

In terms of the league’s culture, we are watching the NBA change with the times.Since 2014, the leadership of the league under relatively new commissioner Adam Silver has been more relaxed, socially conscious, and future-oriented. Silver seems willing to explore some serious changes to the league including changing the playoff format, supporting legalized sports betting, and ending the “one and done” rule for draft prospects. Silver even is willing to support players in their criticism of Trump. (Compare that to NFL’s new ban and accompanying team fine for individual players kneeling during the anthem.)

With the evolution in play style and changing times, facilitated by a forward thinking commissioner, what could a hyper-modern NBA superstar player look like?

Physical Attributes

• 6’9″ to 6’11″

Personally, I expect true 7-footers to become less common because these players are at a higher risk of injury. For example, FiveThirtyEight has data showing lottery picks who were 7 feet and above missed approximately 8% more games than their shorter counterparts. Can’t win games from the bench, no matter how good you are.

• 7+ ft wingspan and gigantic hands

Having disproportionately long arms is unbelievably helpful in guarding other players without sacrificing mobility (Ex: Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Pippen).

• Highly mobile, high motor and stamina

Modern offenses prioritize running around screens more than slow post ups in the paint. Similarly, defenses have to be active in closing out deadly shooters.

• Relatively light build

The Ringer already wrote about the trend of players slimming down in November 2017. Being light improves mobility and speed. Having a lower load on joints will reduce fatigue over a long season, reduce the likelihood of injury and help players play more games.

Skills

• Efficient scorer from three and from the post
  • Excellent shot mechanics for three point shots
  • Has range far beyond the NBA three point line
  • Allergic to the midrange (except during the playoffs. More on that later.)

• Being able to at least passably guard any position
• Strong shot blocker and help side shot blocker

• At least one inefficient “old school” scoring technique in the back pocket

I expect defenses to eventually get better at neutralizing the three point shot and the drive, especially in the playoffs. This is when the less efficient yet still effective scoring options becomes crucial for team success. Examples include:

• Post up (and passing out of the post like 2009 Orlando with Dwight Howard)
• Midrange jumpers, floaters, and tear drops
• Fadeaways
• Skyhook (somebody, make it cool again!)

Socially

I think we’re going to see NBA athletes develop a secondary skill set that they also become known for. How far can a player push their brand beyond basketball? Here are the four areas I see the hyper-modern NBA player being really interested in.

• Basketball AND Business
  • On the Golden State Warriors, with their close proximity to Silicon Valley has two players who are big tech investors.
    • Andre Igoudala (Check out his LinkedIn!)
    • Kevin Durant has invested in over 30 companies
  • Trevor Booker, now of the Pacers, is a serial entrepreneur and has stated his goal is to become a billionaire.
  • Johnny O’Bryant founded an anime company.
  • There are older NBA players who became business moguls but don’t receive much media attention.
  • Then there’s one of the OG’s, Magic Johnson.
  • I think it’s only a matter of time before a current basketball player gains fame for their business acumen as well.
• Basketball AND Gaming
  • Jeremy Lin loves DOTA.
  • Gordon Hayward loves LoL.
  • Like damn half the league is nursing an addiction to Fortnite.
  • Are we ever going to see an NBA Baller become a popular Twitch streamer?
  • Image: those dancing Fortnite Gif’s are hella popular right now aren’t they?
• Basketball AND Social Marketing
  • Bombastic “Lavar Ball” type persona
  • Father to a million memes (like Drake)
  • Prototype: Joel Embiid might be the one who most resembles this.
  • Could JellyFam be the future of this?
• Basketball AND Social Justice

Adam Silver has publicly stated that “My job is to protect NBA players’ free speech”. In fact, he has written multiple memos encouraging players to speak up about social justice.

• Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James have appeared on the ESPYS Award Show and spoke about gun violence and police violence.
• Kyrie Irving and LeBron James have appeared wearing “I can’t Breathe” shirts in support of Eric Garner.
• LeBron James and Steph Curry have referred to Trump as a “bum” and an asset “if you remove the ‘et’ from asset.”

Are you seeing a name come up consistently? Many athletes entering the league see James as a role model.

Being in the NBA is also no immunity against the violence black bodies are exposed to. Two current black players in the league have suffered injuries from police brutality. Thabo Sefalosha had his leg broken by an officer and missed the remainder of a season when officers arrested him for counts he was later found not guilty of. Sterling Brown suffered a bruise on his face and other minor scraps after being tased over a very minor parking violation. As horrible as these events are, I hope younger NBA players will see that social justice is still deserving of our time and energy.

So when is the NBA’s version of Richard Sherman arriving? I want to see NBA press conferences turn into colorful skits.

If I were to sum up my hyper-modern NBA player, it would be well adapted to today’s play style, and definitely not staying in their lane as “just a basketball player”.

What does your hyper-modern NBA player look like? Who do you see as the future, and what skill sets or interests do you see them developing?