I'd absolutely consider it a skill. For a lot of folks, giving effort seems like it would be an obvious thing, but directing that effort to where it is most effective and being able to sustain that effort by knowing exactly when and where to ratchet it up or catch a breath is a definite skill. Additionally, some people who think they are giving max effort may not be knowledgeable about themselves and their bodies to realize there is more effort to be given. Battier and Scola have broken through those false walls and understand where on the spectrum they are at all times.
It's not that that they are UNCAPABLE of doing it consistently, its because they are UNWILLING to do it consistently even though they are ABLE to do it when they want to.
I put "working hard" it in the same category as basketball IQ, or agility, or strength. These are base skills which should be valued and that enable players to excel and contribute to winning. How players rate on these skills vary, and teams should be aware of that when make trades or signing free agents. I don't see how it follows from anything I said that Battier is the most skilled player in the league. To me, I don't think there's a useful distinction between how "skilled" you are at the game, and how "good" you are at the game. And I certainly don't believe Battier is the best player in the league.
Any time a poll is near 50/50 and there are a lot of votes, job well done. 5 stars for your thread, DD.
At first I would have said no, but after reading and thinking about it, I say yes. However, it's a bit different than other "skills." There are guys who can NEVER be good 3 point shooters or dribblers. But there is no reason why ANYONE can't be a hard worker.
If everyone is capable of doing it, its not a skill. You can get the average joe in the stands eating nachos and give him a jersey and he play so hard he will throwup, but that doesn't mean he's skillful.
I've never seen a coach run a play after a timeout and gave it to the guy playing the hardest. I've never heard a coach say I want player x to play off this down screen.
If it is called a skill, then it's just another skill amongst many skills (talent) that basketball players must have to succeed in the NBA. Playing hard should be a requirement but since so many talented players dog it, it's treated as a bonus. That's a shame.
There is a big difference between working hard and working smart. When people look at players like Shane and Scola they see the amount of work but not always focus of their work. They keep moving, but they keep moving to the right areas. They have active hands and feet but only when necessary. They work smart. There are players all over the league (and some that couldn't make it) that work even harder on the floor. Anyone can do that. The difference is the intelligence. A good coach can motivate players to work harder, Pat Riley did it with Antoine Walker and Shaq. A good coach cannot fix a guy like Stromile Swift's brain. Playing hard is not a skill but playing smart is.
Once again, for me the answer is clear. And we have the best one on our team. He is called Chuck Hayes. He has no skills but he plays hard every minute and that's why he is still in the NBA while some people think he should not. You may have no skills but it doesn't mean you don't play hard. As simple as that.
its a mindset. everyone has the ability to play hard, but not everyone has the skill to windmill dunk like vince carter.
I'm purposely not voting. Semantically, playing hard is an attribute since everyone is capable of it (except Rasheed because he's freaking permanently high). However, for basketball purposes, you have to refer to a player's skill set. That is a mix of skills and attributes. You have to consider Chuck and Shane's doggedness with Aaron's quickness and Deke's shotblocking acumen. Obviously, some of these you weigh differently, and it would vary from player to player. Whatever you want to call it, playing hard is a skill\attribute I want every Rocket player to posess.
Ok, I should say offensive skills. He is a phenomenal defender but it is also because of his effort and playing hard.
Chuck Hayes does have skills. He has an uncanny sense to know where to be in the basketball floor when a guy is driving into the lane. He can't be backed down. There are other players that are bigger and stronger then Chuck but he knows how to use his body. His bball IQ is higher then many more talented players. You can't just throw a blanket "He plays hard and that's why's he's in the NBA" and not realize Chuck offers things that many other players can't, some who play just as hard as him.
I think that's exactly how the Rockets look at it. When Morey said they consider play hard "a skill", that means they look at it as an important attribute to consider along the same lines as quickness, shotblocking, shooting, etc.
Well you can't limit the word "skill" to offensive skills only. Defense also requires tonnes of skill such as positioning and shotblocking etc etc...otherwise Battier would be skillless by that criteria lol Chuck Hayes I believe has a certain skillset...its not the type you would normally associate with the typical basketball player such as shooting/passing/ballhandling...but I would consider rebounding and taking charges skills.
