Instincts vs. I.Q.

[Flight]

I was just thinking about myself as a basketball player... I'm a point guard, and I'm a pretty average athlete for an 18 year old (very light, not very strong, decent hops, good quickness... great top end speed, but that doesn't benefit a basketball player for much more than fast breaks), but I'm a good defender, good passer, and decent all around player. I shoot a high percentage, but I've realized that's largely due to shot selection. That said, I also adjust a lot on the fly, and most of my scoring baskets come as unnatural tear drops and layups.

 

So this makes me wonder, what's more important for a player, instincts or I.Q.? I understand the offense, but I'm not really one of those players that's always two steps ahead. I'm on the same page as everyone, but I don't really know where to go, as much as I just seem to pass where it seems right. On defense, I don't gamble much, but I still get a ton of steals in passing lanes. It's just that I have a feel for where the ball's gonna be, moreso than me knowing the other team's tendencies. As an on-ball defender, I do the things like face guarding and little mind games (like poking the guy when he goes up for a shot... try it. Just stick a finger into his gut a little, not even really that hard, just repeatedly... gets in their head, and the refs never call it), but at the same time I think my defense is mostly thanks to my ability to react and feel for where someone's going. Then again, defense is very much effort-oriented, more than offense. I give 100% all game, so maybe that's why I'm a better defender than scorer.

 

So for those of you that read that, or those that don't want to, what do you feel is more important to a basketball player? Instincts, or I.Q.?

[JWaLL]

IQ can factor into instincts, so I said instincts for all of them. You must always trust your instincts.

[AllenIverson#1fan]

What he said^ +1 Except I pick IQ for offense since having a good IQ can help you beat a defender in so many ways.

Edited July 11, 2010 by AllenIverson#1fan

[htownborn]

Give me I.Q. over instects anyday. Instects are good but will only last for so long with some players but I.Q last forever. But for Defense I would say a little of both.

[Flight]

Insects? Yeah, they don't last very long.

 

But I get what you're saying, but how do instincts go away? It's what you feel, not what you think about, which can go away.

[htownborn]

Insects? Yeah, they don't last very long.

 

But I get what you're saying, but how do instincts go away? It's what you feel, not what you think about, which can go away.

 

My bad I ment instincts

 

It happens just look at guys like Shaq and Grant Hill. We could use the excuse that their old and have injury problem's which may have a little something to do with it but at their still playing. However they still have great I.Q. which allows them to continue play for so many years.

 

As for what you were saying maybe your just more defensive oreintated than offensive, kind of like how I am. I'm good offensivley and can shot and drive but I'm kind of one diminsional (I play alot of pick up games to while you actually play real ball so that may have alot to do with my offense.). Defensivley though I'm kind of like you as well I like to get into my oppenent's head and play hardball, alot of it has to do with the fact that i've played football for so many years. So my best advice to you is just continue to develop and play your game, not saying their's nothing wrong with wanting to be the next Kobe or LeBron but if that's not you then just go out and ball the best way you can. Sometimes it's not about who's the best but who's the smartest which is why I say I.Q. over instinct's. But it's nothing wrong at all trusting your instinct's.

Edited July 12, 2010 by htownborn

[Newman]

If you are a playmaker, I.Q is definitely more important than instincts. However, for any other style of play or position, instincts it is.

[His Greatness]

(Appropriate) Instincts are shaped by your IQ. So that.

[Nitro]

(Appropriate) Instincts are shaped by your IQ. So that.

 

Bingo.

 

Generally speaking, I feel it is better to play with instincts rather than think-out every single play. Your instincts are developed by practice and how your IQ can help shape those instincts. But in a game, I'd rather play free and trust my instincts rather than breaking down every single thing. You tend to play more free and your decisions come a lot quicker when you play with sound instincts.

[Poe]

Basketball is a read and react game. That's all it is while you are on the court.

 

Read. React. Read. React.

 

There's no time to sit and think. Perhaps during time outs and halftime, or while you are resting on the bench. Otherwise, it is almost entirely based on instincts.

 

As others have explained though, IQ can shape your instincts. Knowing and understanding the game is very important. That way you can recognize situations and react accordingly.

 

Everything else is based on practice and repetition. The more you practice, the more naturally everything comes to you. For example, if you practice your form on your shot daily, your shot will come more naturally to you without having to think about intricate details like bending your knees and holding your follow-through... things you don't have time to think about during a game.

[Flight]

I guess that's the thing... I'm a smart player, but when I'm on the floor I subconsciously make the right read, I guess because my instincts are a natural version of thinking things out.

[Multi-Billionaire]

Excellent thread... this could prove why offense is harder than defense.

 

Poe said basketball is about read and react. He brings an excellent point. However "to read and react" means you're being reactive instead of pro-active.

 

 

On offense, you try to be pro-active to catch the defenders off-guard. All great/ good/ above-average offensive players will be pro-active when taking on their defenders, instead of being reactive. Great defenders will try to stand still and waiting for you to make your moves. If you (as the offensive player) waits and tries to read the defense (being reactive), your ball will be stripped or stolen before you make a move. Great offensive players always make their first moves before the defenders try to read them. How you play your offense can be thought as you the artist expressing your game on the blank white canvas... any offensive moves you have (spin, dribble, hesitation, turnaround, pull up off dribble, quick release, etc) are your personal touches and therefore a different expression than other players' offensive moves on their white canvas. If you try to be reactive (instead of pro-active) on offense, you will not be as good as your potential or even scrub... think Shane Battier or Kwame Brown.

 

Playing defense on the other hand is mostly being reactive to the proactive offensive players. They make their moves and you (as the defensive player) try to keep up with them as best as you can. With the exception of LeBron James "chase from behind" athletic defensive plays, any player (any age, any athleticism level) can master positional defensive postures, footwork, body and leg positioning, hands, etc. Defense is not an expression but rather a blueprint anyone can carbon-copy and make theirs. The defense you play can be a lot similar to the defense someone else plays.

 

 

Therefore I think on offense you play with pro-active approach, aka instinct.

 

On defense, you play with reactive approach, aka IQ.