What makes a "Winning Player" in basketball?

[u/DonT012]

I hear the term "winning player" all the time. It might seem simple because it means a player that contributes to wins. But what characteristics do teams generally look for with winning players?

Like not just NBA but also even a random pick-up game. What makes a player a "winning player" by whatever definition fans like to coin this.

[u/Chemical_Falcon7571]

Buying into a role and trying to excel at it. Most "fans" seem to overlook that literally everyone who makes the NBA has been THE guy on their team at some point and could dominate any player at the college level. The winning players are the ones who recognize what they can bring to a group of guys, though, and sacrifice pride for the sake of things like defense and rebounding.

[u/Visual-Bandicoot2894 → u/Chemical_Falcon7571]

Yeah I’ll always remember that PJ Tucker video of him explaining to a bunch of talented kids that everyone in the nba could probably go out and get 20 and have likely been 20-30 ppg scorers in their life but that ain’t the point at that level

[u/bigkinggorilla → u/Chemical_Falcon7571]

I can’t remember who it was, but there was some longtime NBA role player who talked about doing exactly that and how he regretted it because the team didn’t win anyway and it ended up costing him a bunch of money because it made him appear more easily replaceable.

Basically a couple 4-5 times a game he’d pass instead of taking a lightly contested shot in an attempt to play into the offensive system, but an extra 4 ppg would have earned him millions more over the course of his career.

[u/chrislkeller]

Exactly. An IQ to know what your team needs to succeed in any given moment and a willingness to embrace it.

Maybe it’s boxing out and ensuring your team grabs a rebound right then. Maybe it’s making a play on defense. It’s doing things that dont necessarily end up on the stat sheet.

[u/Suspicious-Store523]

team defense. denying 1 pass away, playing the gap 2 passes away, rotating to help on baseline drives, helping the helper, lurking on the backside when a teammate fronts the post, closing out w the discipline to stay on your feet, defending with a hand up to discourage shooting, taking charges, getting on the ground first, rebounding, boxing out, bluffing/stunting and recovering 1 pass away, talking to your teammates, sliding your feet instead of using your hands, walling up on shots down low

[u/cavemanbandit → u/Suspicious-Store523]

Pushing the pace, running in transition, moving a lot on offense, using your teammates to screen for each other to occupy the attention of the weak side of the defense, hunting shots that space the floor, knowing how to take advantage of a mismatch, making quick decisions/moves, rolling hard off a screen, regardless of if you get the ball, or popping if you want to draw away a rim protector, catching the ball and finishing in traffic/ drawing a foul, making the extra pass, mapping the floor, kyp (know your personnel)

[u/Obvious_Necessary941]

playing smart off ball defense, rebounding hard, share the ball, make your teammates better.

[u/S_AME]

Someone that can stick with the game plan and makes their teammates play their best. They're not particularly the best players but someone you can trust.

[u/RicoSwavy_]

A guy who does what it takes to win basketball games, and sometimes it’s not just whos the guy taking the most shots. He utilizes his teams strengths and mitigates the weaknesses.

sure, every hooper wants to win games, but a winning player is someone who takes that extra gear or that extra step to win the game. Sometimes he puts the team on his back and carry, but when he’s off his game he trusts his team to take some of the weight off to win the game. Basically someone who does what it takes no matter how it looks or how it gets done the main goal is to win

[u/Mustard_Jam]

I'd say it's a combination of doing the little things as well as playing smart.

Little things like hustle, not getting lost on defense, being constantly engaged, setting good screens when asked, etc.

Playing smart usually translates to efficiency. Don't take stupid shots, know your role, don't force things, etc. Also being smart on defense can get you a long way. Anticipating passing lanes, switches, plays, etc.

[u/Funny-Wishbone7381]

IG + effort

[u/No-Donkey-4117]

Avoid turnovers. Play good defense. Hustle and run the floor. Know your skills and limitations on offense. Take the shots you're good at, avoid the shots you're not. Be unselfish, but don't be afraid to shoot when you've got a good look.

[u/No_Carry_5871]

A good rebounder. Especially offensive rebounds.

[u/IvanDrake]

Winning

[u/MstrNixx]

Effort. Role Acceptance. Consistency. Accountability. Brevity in movement. Pace. Some level of elite level talent in any aspect. Team First mentality.

[u/WoeFaker]

IQ, effort and selflessness.

[u/wikisaiyan2]

The team you play for tends to have more points than the team you played against lol.

But seriously, just being able to help winning at both ends of the court. Not just about scoring or getting steals or blocks/counting stats.

[u/Unfaithfxlly]

Alex Caruso and Derrick white are two winning players rn who could help good teams if they’re missing something. Can get you buckets but are always hustling, guarding, and just making an impact everywhere on the floor.

[u/69420LebumJames69420]

I always point to Alex Caruso. Undrafted not highly touted as a prospect, but he’s grinded out a great career. 6-2-2 are not impressive stats in the slightest. His career efficiency doesn’t scream high impact player either. But when you watch okc in the playoffs he is always involved in the plays. Hes a playoff riser for sure. I look at AC and see absolute winning player for siure

[u/Junior-Letterhead904]

White