Chauncey Billups-- Hover specialist

“You have arrived as a Virtual Player when your basketball success is based on your ability to apply the fundamentals of Basketball, Mathematics, and Physical Science as a single discipline.”

Who are the Virtual Players (VP’s) in the NBA…  Are there any?  Of course. I may have formalized virtual play but I didn’t invent efficient  math or science of play.   Those that play with the right and science (physics) have the most consistent success –regardless of the level.  It’s true, most NBA players are very skilled and were stars at some point in their career. If given the opportunity, so many would be capable of doing big things. However when it comes to consistent or highly virtual performance  the number of capable players drop considerably. Virtuality is less about your physical capacity (what you have) and more about your physical capability (what you do with what you have technically)).

In the world of Virtual Play, the measure of performance is determined by the net results of actions and not necessarily the physical prowess of the performer. As you will discover, Virtual Play  is the technical and physical model for optimal efficiency in basketball. VP’s use math and physics to manipulate time, space and opponents beyond the use of  basketball fundamentals. Therefore to have success as a VP, you must have knowledge (Know-How) of the game and sharp application of technique or the right default settings for effective play. Quite simply, highly virtual players are those players who possess the right math of play and are programmed to operate in this manner routinely – particularly under pressure.

How do I differentiate between the 300 + stars to determine the highly virtual ones.  Every player, pro or otherwise is a product of  his or her P.T.A.G.: Physical, Technical, Application and Grit.  (See: ” The Mystery of Chemistry“). Virtual players are most efficient technically, in their application and typically have high grit or G-Factors. They may also have physical prowess, but it’s not integral to their success on the floor.

Each has his own application attributes but they all share similar settings and nuances.  Their technical acuity enables them to manipulate without moving fast and negate the physicality of  opponents without being physical. Their scope-of-vision provides early awareness which allows them to slow the action down perceptively and process quickly. Their phenomenal footwork gives them ultimate control of self  in small frames of movement. This allows them to process and make adjustments very quickly. In basketball the offense has the advantage (law of leadership) unless he or she  gives it away. Great players are “stay first” artists- regardless of the position they play. Unnecessary time-costs during play, speed up the action  and makes negotiation more difficult.  Their crisp technique and lack of such superfluous movement keeps them ahead of the action, allowing them to control opponents, teams and ultimately games.

There are so many players and so many positions, I thought it might be interesting to start by distinguishing the quarterbacks. I’m going to list -in no particular order, the six most  highly virtual PG’s in the NBA.

 

Chauncey Billups: “Mr. Big Shot” is also “Mr. Run the Team.”  Chauncey is a hover specialist with outstanding court vision (early awareness of circumstance).  As a result he handles reads impeccably. He gets ahead of opponents (in the frames) with hovers and constant shoulder threats to go drive by.   He is terrific at being contrary (to the defender) with quick pull-ups, false-legs to create space at the middle spot and razor-sharp straight cuts to the hoop.  He typically dominates final approach with superior bodywork… (Bucket, foul or both).

Deron Williams has the exact same profile, except he’s more athletic and has more physical highlights.

On final approach

CP3and Steve NashandRondo, are also hover specialists who manipulate with explosive stops and starts.  Virtual players are fastest in their shortest steps (relative to the defender). These guys have incredible foot control and  subsequently ridiculous control of self. Their economy and strategy of movement  allows them to get anywhere on the floor in a manner that forces defensive help.  These guys  are tremendous playmakers and a lot of  fun to watch.

Rondo crosses Steve Nash nastily

Watch Chris Paul do his thing

Tony Parkeris also a master starter/stopper and magician-like at  driving to the hoop; his “lane-changes” and “ball-tucks” are all-world. He’s brilliant at slurring his movements and forcing defenders to choose a response.  Tony’s diligence about establishing and maintaining a “push foot”  allows him to be hyper-explosive and ruthless about exploiting advantage.

Virtual PG Honorable Mention:  Aaron Brooks, Luke Ridnour, Jameer Nelson, Russell Westbrook and Johnny Flynn –(don’t be fooled by their hyper-athleticism).

The truth is, all the players above embody many  (if not all)  the attributes mentioned.  Like I’ve said before…

“The truth is the math and science of the game never changes when it comes to successful play.  In fact, most successful players do the same things. Oftentimes these players are not aware of or even concerned with the mathematical or scientific realities of their actions.  They have success doing what they do, so they continue to do it…”

The most highly virtual put them on display more routinely. You owe it to yourself to focus on how and why they are having success, and to try desperately to forge those default settings for yourself.   The math of successful play will never change, but you might have to if you plan on getting better in a virtual way.

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