Funny: I was actually googling this last night and tempted to post a similar question. I'd like to know what the difference is between motor and energy. I see players describes as "Excellent motor; high energy guy." Aren't motor's measure by energy output? Is a guys "Heart" is motor? Is that a cardio stress test? I have no idea, as "excellent motor" seems fairly new in draft terminology.
Deflections, Charges Taken, Contested Shots vs. Uncontested Shots, etc. There's also a way they track how a player runs on the break; something like which 1/3 of the court they get into when the fast break shot attempt is put up. Think of Scola, he always runs -- and if he's not filling a wing he's always trailing -- but he's pretty much gonna be in the same 1/3 of the court as the ball handler leading the break...
Motor is self-motor-vation. Some players want it bad and will work their butts off. Some players settle for being a gifted natural talent. Super Stars, they have both, talent and motor.
I didn't ask how motor is defined, I asked how it is quantified and measured against other players. BaMcMing's answer is what I'm talking about
If motor is related to energy, and quantified by hustle stats, and where they are during fastbreaks, then what does "high energy guy" mean,,,and why do they say "excellent motor; high energy guy." that's redundant. I've seen another guy described as: "High motor guy who brings energy and explosiveness" Isn't that a "high energy guy" lol
Yes, his answer is a good one, as is his example. Say what you will about the shortcomings in Scola's game, the guy has a motor that won't quit. He always runs the court, he never takes a play off. He dives on the floor for loose balls, fights for boards, mixes it up in the post. If Luis had more athleticism, and a few more inches added to his height, he'd be making a hell of a lot more money.
As with a lot of 'scouting' there are factors that are not numerical but depend on the synthesis of written evaluations. If you observed a player for an extended period you might know the effort they put in to their work outs, their body language in games, how much focus they put on basketball versus outside interests, and their will to dominate the other guy. Or you could give them a genetic test for the 'warrior gene'.
There's hustle for loose balls, there's determination to make a play happen (versus kicking a ball out without trying or taking plays off), there's going all out on defense (versus sagging off and standing up straight with hands down), there's showing up every night, there's work ethic outside of the games in practice and during the summer. How (self) driven is the player to give all he has in the game and how (self) driven is he to better himself as a player? Thomas Robinson vs Perry Jones III might be the best examples of contrast between NASCAR motor and go kart motor.
Odd. I've always equated motor to stamina, although with the added mental component. As in how how long a player can perform at near-peak level for the duration of the game.
Motor is something makes you keep improving everyday. Passion is something lets you enjoy the whole process. Upside is something you can theoretically/phsically achieve. Combine all three and you have a star sooner or later barring injury.
Motor = movement. High motor = constancy of movement. High motor can result from high energy output, but you can maintain high energy without a high rate of perambulation, ie a player who plays with high intensity uses up more energy performing an identical task with that of a player how is more laid back.
