Basketball IQ, or not

Defining basketball IQ is akin to nailing jello to the wall but here are some attempts at fleshing out a comprehensive definition:

It's a sense for taking the right action at the right time. Such as understanding when you can or cannot thread a pass, when a shot attempt has the greatest chance of succeeding or not, knowing when to double-team or not -- just an overall knowing of when to best take what action.

It's also includes visualizing where your teammates will be offensively and defensively (not just understanding what you should do on this play or that), knowing the sweet spots of your teammates offensively and weaknesses defensively and the same for your opponents. Knowing tendencies is also critical as part of a basketball IQ

Coach Kevin Sutton offers the following as his overall definition of basketball IQ?

* having the ability to process information at game speed
* reading the flow of the game and determine if it needs to be changed
* the understanding of the importance of time and score
* the understanding of shot selection
* the understanding of his teammates strength’s and weaknesses
* knowing and developing an understanding of the scouting report/game plan
* developing a relationship with the coaching staff so to better understand the system
* knowing your opponents
* watching tapes of your team, of yourself, of the opposing team and the person you will defend
* listening to knowledgeable people, reading about the game, studying the game.
* having the ability to understand what was drawn/discussed in the timeout, execute it on the floor and being able to make the proper “basketball reads” if the play isn’t there. This is especially important in late game situations.

Is it related to human IQ or overall intelligence?

That doesn't necessarily seem to be the case although we admittedly cannot quantify such.

Then there is the question of why certain players possess a high basketball IQ while others ply the territory of normal and still others fail to register in this department despite all spending comparable hours in the gym?

Part of the answer is how time in the gym is spent. Is it used for having fun, or jacking up trick shots, or for adding to an individual's memory database.

I also believe a percentage (how much? who knows?) of what constitutes a high basketball IQ is based on how a person perceives and processes matters visually, how their brain works in taking in what is happening in front of them.

It sure seems like some can access their memory database, albeit in split-second fashion, determine what will be the next action before it takes place and defensively react as if their opponent's mind was being read. On offense, it's doing the same in order to determine what should be the next and most appropriate action.

Plus off the court, watching games and tape is an important part of this overall education but it's also a matter of what is your focus -- highlight moments or the preceding events that led to the spectacular.

Viewing fans look for the spectacular while coaches or coaches-to-be want to identify a more comprehensive what took place and why.

Links involving this subject:

Defining basketball IQ difficult

15 NBA Players with the Highest Basketball I.Q.

The Subtle Success Of Basketball IQ. LeBron James On Display In Victory Over The Pacers

What is Basketball IQ? It's hard to explain, and most say it's something that players just have