Which current and past players do you think have the highest basketball IQ? This is a pretty interesting question that I have been putting a lot of thought into lately. The obvious answer would be the playmaking point guards such as Steve Nash and Jason Kidd who show great court awareness, always seem to know what's going on and how to rip apart a defense. They can distribute the ball efficiently and are the definition of true playmakers. I would think that Nash and Kidd have pretty high basketball IQ's, but the highest? Then I started going through other players who have a reputation to be intelligent. Tim Duncan was one of the first players to pop into my mind because he has great fundamentals and has the rings to back him up. He can perform offensively and defensively and seems like a pretty smart guy on and off the court. Then there are the shut down defenders like Gary Payton (in his prime) and Bobby Jones (back in the day), who needed to have high basketball IQ's in order to stop the opposing scorers. Defense is like a mind game and it usually requires intelligence (unless you are a huge center who can just block shots because of your size and athleticism). Then I started to think if the college that a player attended would play a role in how high their basketball IQ is. For example, players from schools like Duke, Cal and Stanford probably are some of the smartest guys in the league but, do test scores show how smart a guy is once he steps onto the hardwood? It all depends on the player really. So that brings me back to my original question. Which players- both current and former- do you think have the highest basketball IQ?
Highest Basketball IQ: Tim Duncan Lowest Basketball IQ: Stromile Swift Tim Duncan probably is not even a top 20 player in the league talent wise, but because of his knowledge of how to play the game combiend with his frame he is easily a top 5 player in the NBA.
I personally hate Tim Duncan but I do have to go with "Diesel" He has no talent that the fans come to see at least not that he shows the talent anyway. But fundamentally he does get the game. Also playmakers are in my opinion in high basketball IQ's but I think the ones that have the most are the ones always getting better each year (Yao,Kobe, Nash, Gilbert, Lebron is just talent all the way) These are the ones that show heart and the player that shows the most is Kevin Garnett. He is the best PF ever right now. I think he is right now needs a good PG for dominence and needs to remember that fundamentals first but talent 2nd
I think Chris Wilcox's basketball IQ has to be pretty low. This guy makes some stupid mistakes that you wouldn't even see in most high school games. Going after a loose ball when his team would have already had possesion and making stupid passes to double covered teamates when he has a wide open shot are both things I have witnessed first hand from Wilcox.
Stromile Swift by far has the least. The guy tries to dunk it everytime he gets it and doesn't understand plays at all.
Stromile Swift is just trying to give what the Fans come to see but he must understand that there is time to play and time to get the ball in the hoop.
Well I remember hearing that Nate Robinson had problems remembering plays, that Brown set up for him to use. Also Linton Johnson III would forget plays too.
I would choose Jason Kidd over a player like Tim Duncan. Though Duncan definitely is a smart player, IMO, its still a lot easier for him since he's primarily fed the ball. Its much tougher to create for others than create for yourself.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Ball playa:</div><div class="quote_post">I personally hate Tim Duncan </div> How could anyone possibly hate Tim Duncan?
I really don't know how we can measure IQ. I think I could name players who are high up there, but to single out one player, I don't know if I can. Their's a lot of guys who one the floor can see things develop on offense, can anticipate things defensively etc, but may not have the ability to do what's necessary. I think Dennis Rodman was a guy with a great basketball IQ. Guys I would also add now would be Duncan, Kidd, KG, Nash, a lot of PG's should have good IQ offensively because being a playmaker requires that. A young guy who has a nice IQ is Chris Paul, and also Shaun Livingston. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I think Chris Wilcox's basketball IQ has to be pretty low. This guy makes some stupid mistakes that you wouldn't even see in most high school games. Going after a loose ball when his team would have already had possesion and making stupid passes to double covered teamates when he has a wide open shot are both things I have witnessed first hand from Wilcox.</div> That's why many times I've said he's not nearly as good as people looking from the outside in think. He's athletic, and can score and all, but smarts is not one of his attributes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Stromile Swift is just trying to give what the Fans come to see but he must understand that there is time to play and time to get the ball in the hoop.</div> The problem is, he can't even remember the plays or fumbles the ball everytime he gets the perfect shot. In fact, I take that back, since its pretty rare he ever knows where to be on offense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">The problem is, he can't even remember the plays or fumbles the ball everytime he gets the perfect shot. In fact, I take that back, since its pretty rare he ever knows where to be on offense.</div> What did the Rockets see in him? We stuffed up by drafting him (although everyone thought he was a stand out), but even we realised he was a stiff long ago, yet Houston still handed over plenty of coin and talked him up as the missing piece of a triangle that would take Houston to glory this year. Instead he's struggling for court time behind Juwan Howard and Chuck Hayes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">What did the Rockets see in him? </div> No clue, I vouched for signing Chris Anderson or Dan Gadzuric. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Instead he's struggling for court time behind Juwan Howard and Chuck Hayes.</div> Actually, no. And thats the most frustrating thing. Swift actually gets more minutes than Hayes, who actually hustles, rebounds, and brings toughness to the team. Plus, from what Durvasa posted, the Rockets play much better with Hayes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting norespect:</div><div class="quote_post">This thread sucks</div> Then how come you're here?
