Discovering All-Stars...
Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:33 am
"The Celtics find their type
Why did the Boston Celtics agree to a reported five-year, $15 million free-agent contract for backup Nets forward Brian Scalabrine? One big factor was the wiring of Scalabrine's brain.
Celtics GM Danny Ainge relies on scouting consultant Jon Niednagel, known as the "brain doctor," who studies the mannerisms and movements of players in order to decipher their "brain type." The physical traits of each player reveal how his brain is "wired," and that mental wiring, according to Niednagel, is what separates the All-Stars from the underachievers. "It is the single greatest determinant for why people do what they do," says Niednagel, who heads the Brain Type Institute of Thornfield, Mo. Niednagel has a long-running track record of picking out talent, identifying Tracy McGrady and Amare Stoudemire as certain stars before they were each picked No. 9, overall, in their respective drafts.
There are 16 different brain types, according to Niednagel, who says some of those types are better suited to success on the basketball court than others. The ultimate type for basketball is ISTP (the initials stand for introverted, sensing, thinking, perceiving). Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Jerry West and John Stockton were ISTP -- ultra-competitive winners who thrive in pressure situations. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Scalabrine is also ISTP, and though he isn't in their league athletically, Boston is hoping that his size and shooting skills can help the 27-year-old become a big playmaker down the stretch in tight games. Remember when Scalabrine came off the bench during the '04 Eastern semifinals to hit all four of his 3-pointers while helping the Nets to a triple-OT win over Detroit? The Celtics believe that he may be wired for more explosive nights like that one."
Wow. The progress of science, huh?
[/i]
Why did the Boston Celtics agree to a reported five-year, $15 million free-agent contract for backup Nets forward Brian Scalabrine? One big factor was the wiring of Scalabrine's brain.
Celtics GM Danny Ainge relies on scouting consultant Jon Niednagel, known as the "brain doctor," who studies the mannerisms and movements of players in order to decipher their "brain type." The physical traits of each player reveal how his brain is "wired," and that mental wiring, according to Niednagel, is what separates the All-Stars from the underachievers. "It is the single greatest determinant for why people do what they do," says Niednagel, who heads the Brain Type Institute of Thornfield, Mo. Niednagel has a long-running track record of picking out talent, identifying Tracy McGrady and Amare Stoudemire as certain stars before they were each picked No. 9, overall, in their respective drafts.
There are 16 different brain types, according to Niednagel, who says some of those types are better suited to success on the basketball court than others. The ultimate type for basketball is ISTP (the initials stand for introverted, sensing, thinking, perceiving). Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Jerry West and John Stockton were ISTP -- ultra-competitive winners who thrive in pressure situations. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Scalabrine is also ISTP, and though he isn't in their league athletically, Boston is hoping that his size and shooting skills can help the 27-year-old become a big playmaker down the stretch in tight games. Remember when Scalabrine came off the bench during the '04 Eastern semifinals to hit all four of his 3-pointers while helping the Nets to a triple-OT win over Detroit? The Celtics believe that he may be wired for more explosive nights like that one."
Wow. The progress of science, huh?
[/i]
Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:43 am
Is this bullshit? Link meh please.
Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:53 am
I'm not saying it's impossible that this guy is right, but it doesn't take a genius to predict Amare and Tmac will be superstars. And looking back on Jordan, Bird, West and Stockton, alot of their skills come from hard work. Especially how they move on the court, which is how he supposedly determines their "brain wiring". I'd say if it's not complete bs, it's a stretch (i.e. they're on the verge of figuring out this science, but they aren't really there yet).
Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:55 am
Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:00 am
Expect Brian Scalabrine to average 42.6 points per game, 20.3 rebounds per game and 20.7 assists per game next season. He'll also be MVP, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year with 15 blocks and steals per game and , Coach of the Year (his incredible basketball I.Q. and lightning speed and quickness on the court allow him to quickly run to the sidelines to call a play and then quickly return to the court), and all of the player of the week and month awards.
Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:02 am
Expect Brian Scalabrine to average 42.6 points per game, 20.3 rebounds per game and 20.7 assists per game next season. He'll also be MVP, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year with 15 blocks and steals per game and , Coach of the Year (his incredible basketball I.Q. and lightning speed and quickness on the court allow him to quickly run to the sidelines to call a play and then quickly return to the court), and all of the player of the week and month awards.
You're underestimating him, friend...
Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:11 am
well the way i see it is. some people have the bodies to play sports. some have the minds. its the people who have both that top the game.
i mean you could go to almost any city park right now and find someone smarter than half the players in the nba, they just dont have the body for the nba. thros this person in a 6'6 frame with athleticism and bang, you got a good player. take larry bird(my fav ever). throw him into a 5'8" body. you think he is gonna make it? forget about being as good as he is, he wont even make the league.
i mean you could go to almost any city park right now and find someone smarter than half the players in the nba, they just dont have the body for the nba. thros this person in a 6'6 frame with athleticism and bang, you got a good player. take larry bird(my fav ever). throw him into a 5'8" body. you think he is gonna make it? forget about being as good as he is, he wont even make the league.
Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:26 am
Evidently, Aigne will also be signing John Malvo and Britney Spears.
"But Niednagel cannot deny the evidence he has collected that indicates some murderers and some NBA Hall of Famers share the intense ISTP brain type -- one of 16 four-letter designations the Brain Doctor borrowed from personality testing. He also recognizes the odd coupling that places LeBron James with Britney Spears (ESFP), Paul Pierce with Grady Little (ISFP), and Antoine Walker with Winston Churchill (ENTP) raises more questions about what he does."
"But Niednagel cannot deny the evidence he has collected that indicates some murderers and some NBA Hall of Famers share the intense ISTP brain type -- one of 16 four-letter designations the Brain Doctor borrowed from personality testing. He also recognizes the odd coupling that places LeBron James with Britney Spears (ESFP), Paul Pierce with Grady Little (ISFP), and Antoine Walker with Winston Churchill (ENTP) raises more questions about what he does."
Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:26 am
You're underestimating him, friend...
Damn, you're right, I forgot about him also winning the Slam Dunk Contest with his 100 inch verticle and doing a 360 windmill behind the back under the legs reverse double-pump freethrow line dunk while jamming his whole arm into the rim.
Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:29 am
you can't play with your brain it's the heart 
Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:32 am
you can't play with your brain it's the heart
Yep, you never think while on the court. You think , you lose.
heart is what gives you victory, brain is what gives you game, remember that.
Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:16 am
this sounds a lot like the psych tests krause would make draft prospects take...
Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:43 am
There is also a strange IQ/Personality test for getting into the NFL, am I right?
It's even on Madden 06!
It's even on Madden 06!
Sat Jul 16, 2005 12:42 pm
Wow.
Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:35 pm
LeBron17 wrote:you can't play with your brain it's the heart
this is part true. you have to have the proper mind for the game. you have to understand the game so well that you no longer have to think. then you have to have the heart to push yourself and go above what your mind and body tell you, you can do.
Sat Jul 16, 2005 2:46 pm
Interesting research, though I wouldn't base all my personnel moves around it if I were a GM. Players with ISTP brain types would seem to make the most of their physical gifts while playing a smart game, which might not always translate into an All-Star calibre player but is a fine quality to have in a role player like Scalabrine.
Sat Jul 16, 2005 3:50 pm
Interesting research. Even though Scalabrine hasn't proved anything, I'd still give him a chance after seeing that incredible playoff game.
Sat Jul 16, 2005 9:00 pm
There is also a strange IQ/Personality test for getting into the NFL, am I right?
That would be the Wonderlic test. Quite simple and easy, really. Time is an issue, though. Dan Marino blew it bad back in th eday, though...