BuzzerBeater Forums

Training Centers I have currently had reasons to reflect about the nature of players being either single-talented or multi-talented in terms of skills. Some of my thoughts are inspired by "The Game that must not be named" or better "The Other Game" (TOG). I want to make clear that this is about BB and nothing else. But TOG has some years of experience in advance and especially the Multiskill-Issue has taken real life years and in-game generations to be clarified. I would not neglect the lessons learned there.

For the purpose of this discussion I would like to classify players in not two, but three categories. BB as such is a multi-skill game so I do not see reason to separate in Monos or Multis. I shall use Centers as Models, simply that is where I have some know-how myself.

The skill level I am contemplating about is 10 and higher.

A true Mono-Center would have only one or two of his 4 core skills developped. Core skills are IS, ID, Block, Rb (other definbitions are welcome - they do not effect my point). Our example would thus be e.g. a 13Rebounder or a 10/11 Rebound/IS. Other skills in any means are randomised and below 8.

A Balanced Center would have at least 3 of the 4 core skills well developped. Other skills would be more or less "fits", that is the 4th skill is adequately high (6+) and maybe some other suiting skills (some handling or driving or JS).

Now a true BB-Multiskill would be like the Balanced One but higher (and therefore consequently trained!) in fitting skills. Other than the balanced player he has 1-2 suiting skills in the same range as his core skills (10+). Example would be a player with the obligatory 3-4 high core skills and additionally e.g. JS and driving.

***

It may be a surprising statement, but this is so far not of big importance to the game.

All teams/divisions are nowhere near their strength in 3-4 seasons from now and most teams/divisions can do perfectly fine with the Mono or Balanced Type of players. Wages are not an issue yet. But if we read BB's own reflections about wages and some specialist's assumptions we know that wages will explode (in terms of team wages).

Now, why would Multi-Players help?

#1: maybe (but I am not totally sure) Multis are more wage-efficient that Monos or Balanced Ones. But they better are...

#2: surely you have the better team and performance, if your players are more than single talented. Any player on the court can contribute to different strategic settings. if playing inside your PG will need to score inside. Rebounds are for everyone. Multis are more versatile. A strong Center can serve as an excellent SF in many different serttings, given he has some extra talents. So, if you want to win any division in given 3-4 seasons you better are well equipped with versatile players (at least Balanced).

Especially #2 may be considered as well discussed in the community. But I think it is not. Many managers train many skills for many players. This - in my humble opinion - is not Multiskill unless we are talking about levels 10 or higher in any skill. In fact I consider the type of all-round-training as a weak strategy unless it concentrates on real trainees (young, enough potential, high training intensity). And NT's so far do not go further than Balanced, they like Monos, too.

I have a couple of more thoughts - and examples - in my mind but I would like to open the discussion (and see if there is any...).


___
Edit: spelling

Last edited by Pallu at 9/25/2008 11:03:23 AM

Players with only 1 of the necessary skills developped are virtually useless in this game. Unless of course you're content with massacring bots and inactive players.

My impression is that a truly effective player should have at least 3 of the core skills of his position developped (and the definition of 'core skills' can vary). Everything else is gravy.

I obviously share your point. These are "balanced" players.

i dont know how much of a debate you're going to get out of this. most smart trainers work with a skill rotation in mind. usually 3-4 skills (though i train C/PF so i'm pretty sure there are more for outside shooters.) training only one skill is completely useless and worse, counterproductive. sure you might have a legendary rebounder but he is only respectable in IS and ID, which is what a good rookie would have. not to mention with one legendary skill you can count on the player's salary to be $50k+ a week. more of a debate would occur in terms of what needs to be trained for each position. i know C/PF there is a debate on how effective shotblocking is. i'm of the belief that the skill is useless and work towards slowly making my big men into small forwards by replacing SB training with driving, jump shooting, and passing.

i dont know how much of a debate you're going to get out of this. most smart trainers work with a skill rotation in mind. usually 3-4 skills (though i train C/PF so i'm pretty sure there are more for outside shooters.)

(...)

more of a debate would occur in terms of what needs to be trained for each position. i know C/PF there is a debate on how effective shotblocking is. i'm of the belief that the skill is useless and work towards slowly making my big men into small forwards by replacing SB training with driving, jump shooting, and passing.

Thank you for your reply. I slightly disagree, but only in terms of how far the discussion/issue goes.

Yes, most smart trainers train 3-4 skills to e.g. a Center. But that is not what I call Multiskill. I would call it (like you do) "smart" or necessary. And I typify these players to be balanced. Not multiskilled. This is where I exactly find the discussion to be too limited.

And the debate about what skills are needed is in spite to a true Multiskill-debate already ongoing - and another issue in my view.

i see what you're saying. i went back over your original post and saw what you meant. so instead of the usual 3-4 skills there are additional skills that get attention by users. this is something that i've just started to do. for users who train front court players shotblocking is only so effective at the moment. so once you get to prominent or proficient it's not even worth it to train anymore. which opens the door for other skills to be trained. what i'm doing right now is sticking to IS, ID, and RB training every two weeks and in place of SB i'm working in JS and DV. i suppose the end result is to get the best possible SF, which is a critical position in BB.

Yes, that is now our common understanding. And I tend in a similar direction in terms of training...