[BleacherReport] Myth: The Rockets Have a Lot Less Talent Than the Lakers.

I disagree. I'd rather have Scola.

 

Would you also think that Iverson is better than Billups?

There is more to who is better than just who puts up better statistics.
There's a lot to be said for the intangibles a player brings.

 

Is the writer trying to discount what the Rockets have done? Seems that way because no matter what planet you're from it's pretty easy to see that the Lakers have much more talent. That LA squad has been the most talented team in the league for two years and suddenly they don't have more talent than a team with it's two best players (All Stars at that) out and a key, playoff reserve out as well?

He talks about talent and then can only mention the Rockets intelligence, discipline and work ethic when comparing them to the Laker players. That isn't the same thing as talent. Talent is being 6'10" with amazing athleticism and court vision like Lamar Odom. Talent is being 7' tall and having the quickness and coordination to face a guy up and beat him to the hoop from 18 feet out like Gasol can do. Not falling for pump fakes, diving to the floor and sacrificing your body to take a charge is what Battier, Hayes and the rest of the Rockets do. That isn't talent that's hard work.

Without realizing it the guy pretty much admitted the Rockets are winning with hard work and discipline due to their lack of talent.

 

I disagree, I think he was saying talent as we know it is a flawed concept. Are the Lakers more "athletic" and "physically gifted"? yes.

But that doesn't necessarily equate to being more talented. Our players get the best out of what they have. They aren't traditionally talented, but they are specifically talented at what they do.

It's a great article... thank you for sharing it.

 

I could be wrong, but I think the title of the article is: "Myth: The Rockets Have a Lot Less Talent Than the Lakers."

not sure what intangibles have anything to do with this.

 

hard work makes up for talent

 

No way in hell I'd pay 16.4 for either of them. But, I'd take Scola over Pau. Scola's personality and skills fit the Rox over Pau and he's tougher mentally/physically.

 

You are simply redefining "talent" to fit the argument. By this definition, whoever wins has more talent. That's a pretty meaningless way of talking about talent. Don't you think?

 

I think Odom is highly overrated, at least by Laker fans. He is no doubt talented enough to come in and have a great game, but he is way too inconsistant.

 

No I didn't do it, that's what the author did.

What he was saying is that though the Lakers are physically gifted, our rockets aren't getting enough credit for the talent that they do have.

The point was which player would you rather have, a person who is more physically gifted or a person who takes the lesser gift and makes the most of it.

Both are types of talent.

The Rockets just don't have what we traditionally think of as talented players.

 

Talent and effort are two totally different concepts.

Maximizing what little talent you have is not another form of talent just like being stupid but studying hard doesn't make you smart.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_N1OjGhIFc

These writers are just so full of crap. Before the series everyone was predicting we would get reamed and how much more talented the Lakers are compared to our roster. Now they back up after we win a few games even though another of our star players goes down and start making excuses that "OH ODOM IS INJURED BOO HOO WE HAVE NO ONE LEFT" and now that we are actually a god-tier team in disguise and thus if Lakers lose it's really not a big deal. After all, we were actually secretly as talented or something like that.

I'm sick of this crap. None of these writers gave us credit, even the Lakers STILL aren't giving us credit. If Lakers lose it's just going to be BS about how "THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!"

Eat your crow and shut up.

 

it would've served his article better.. had he substituted the word "talent".. with capable..

 

That is if you state the preconceived notion of what talent is. Everyone in the NBA has athletic ability or they wouldn't be there. The media has said all along that the Lakers have the most talent. But if you consider talent athletic ability only, then yes, the Lakers have the most. If you instead consider talent those who use their athletic ability to create more for themselves talent then I would argue the author is correct.

It's about defining talent. That's what the article is about.

Is talent pure athletic ability? In which case.. is Stromile Swift more "Talented" than someone like Shane Battier?

Or is talent utilizing the athletic ability that you have to it's limit?

The idea is to think outside the box of what everyone has always said talent is.

 

poor use of words... even a fool can see the lakers have more talent the current active roster. what the rockets have is heart. if the lakers had the same tenacity and will as the rockets with their talent, it'd be over already.

 

The definition of talent is pretty cut and dry. It's natural ability (size, athleticism and maybe even things like court vision).

Yes, Stromile Swift is more talented than Shane Battier, by the way.

 

Actually your definition of talent may be cut and dry but its also wrong.

–noun
1. a special natural ability or aptitude: a talent for drawing.
2. a capacity for achievement or success; ability: young men of talent.

Having size is not an ability. It may give you the ability to do things but is not an ability in itself. Being bigger and/or more athletic doesn't make you more talented.

Anyway, I like the articles. Good find on both accounts.

 

I cued up the Mr. T quote, but rejected it because it's a little offensive.

We are talking about being talented at playing the game of basketball in the NBA as part of a team, yes?

Then no, Stromile Swift is not more talented than Shane Battier. Talent as an NBA player encompasses using your brain, being in the right spot at the right time, doing the right thing, and the willpower (HEART) to do whatever it takes to do that.

Stromile Swift is more athletically gifted than Shane Battier - but this isn't track & field - this is a team sport. Being able to use your brain in a beneficial manner is part of the package.

 

In the context of professional basketball, height and athleticism certainly are "special natural abilities"

 

Not if you don't know how to use them. The height doesn't create the talent to use it. Its not an ability its a physical attribute.