One of the toughest jobs in the NBA is being a talent scout. Despite having access to all of a player’s numbers and footage, it's still a difficult task to project how that athlete will perform at the highest level. One of the common mistakes that scouts make is putting too much emphasis on physical attributes and not enough on intangibles. On the latest episode of “The OGs,” former Miami Heat sentinel Udonis Haslem shared his thoughts on this issue.
UD believes that many scouts put too much weight on a player’s ability to leap or run. While athleticism is certainly a crucial component in the sport, it's not the only factor that determines success. According to Haslem, what separates good players from the great ones is their mental toughness and determination.
Didn’t see Joker coming
One classic example of scouts’ miscalculation is the Denver Nuggets’ superstar Nikola Jokic . The exceptionally skilled 7-footer was drafted in the second round and 41st overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. However, despite not being ripped or possessing the ideal body type for an NBA player, Jokic has proven himself to be one of, if not the league’s best player today, winning three MVP trophies in the last three seasons.
“To all of you who sit at home and never played, worrying about how high somebody jumps or how fast they run and draft them based off that, that has nothing to do with winning or losing. I hope you know that now because Jokic can't jump over a biscuit,” Haslem passionately shared .
What the Serbian center lacks in quickness and athleticism, he more than makes up for with skill, guile, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to give the Nuggets a victory. Over the last four seasons, “The Joker” has averaged 26.1 points on 58 percent shooting, 12.1 rebounds, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, establishing himself as one of the most dominant and versatile big men in the NBA.
Mike Miller, UD’s former teammate at Florida and with the Heat, added that he saw Jokic’s potential up close when he played in Denver at the tail-end of his career.
“I was his vet in Denver when he came in, and I saw it from the beginning. He had that potential the whole time; he just needed the opportunity,” MM said .
Related: "Jerry and I gave him his going-away present - When Jerry Krause gave Scottie Pippen a $20 million parting gift
Can’t measure heart
UD added that one crucial thing scouts cannot quantify, regardless of all the sophisticated equipment they have, is heart. Haslem, who’s listed at 6-foot-8 but is actually only 6-foot-6, said that despite his obvious lack of size and athleticism, he wasn’t going to let anyone outwork him.
“They don't measure heart. They don't measure how desperate someone is to put themselves in a position to take care of their family. What's his why? Why is he doing this? Because let me tell you this: once I walked into any arena with anybody, it was me and you. We lock ourselves in the room, and I'm coming out. That's how I approached every situation,” Haslem declared.
This approach worked wonders for UD, who won three NBA titles and became one of the most respected players in franchise history. Despite going undrafted in 2022 and not being a star player, he was a crucial role player and well-respected leader on the Miami Heat.
Related: “I don’t know how they get it back” - Udonis Haslem shares the story of when Dwyane Wade had his car and jewelry stolen
Most Popular
Comments / 0