LOOKS LIKE NHL, PLAYS LIKE NBA

 

The greats of lacrosse and basketball share similar approaches to their craft.

The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is often said to “look like the NHL and play like the NBA.”

The comparisons to ice hockey are numerous: five field players and a goalie, identical playing surface dimensions with boards and glass, a penalty box, power plays, penalty kills, on-the-fly substitutions, and sudden death overtime. The similarities are self-evident.

The NLL's resemblance to basketball stems largely from its 30-second shot clock and 8-second midfield marker. Much like in basketball, NLL action features set plays, pick-and-roll sequences, screens, post-ups, and even a version of the dunk. The omnipresent shot clock ensures high scoring, with rapid shots on goal.

Here’s a look at some of the interesting parallels between the styles of play of the NBA’s best and their counterparts in the world’s premier box lacrosse league.

Both Stephen Curry and Josh Byrne use screens (or the threat of a screen) to create the necessary space for long-distance scoring attempts, often operating far from the hoop or goal. These all-time greats have combined for six league championships and three MVP awards, perfecting this approach over the years.

Courtesy of their musclebound frames, physicality and the unique capability to simultaneously create offense due to the threat of a high percentage shot or pass to the open man, LeBron James and Dhane Smith compete in a comparable manner. Notice how aggressively both superstars drive to the net, often connecting from close range after overpowering a series of defenders or getting open pull-up looks due to the threat of the drive.

Luka Doncic and Jeff Teat are two of the brightest young stars in their respective sports. Both players have an incredible knack for scoring in bunches, thanks to their highly creative approaches. The Maverick and Black Bear standouts can get a shot off from anywhere, regardless of the traffic around them. They continually fill the stat sheet with dazzling scoring opportunities from angles and vantage points previously unheard of.

Reporting to work in the very same place of business, Nikola Jokic and Zed Williams exemplify big, physical men with a never-ending array of moves in the post. When the ball is gathered by these Colorado contemporaries, any number of actions may result including a no-look pass or goal. Check out the trickery displayed on a Jokic helper to teammate Aaron Gordon, followed by an astounding behind-the-back score from Williams.

While the focus of this article has involved comparisons of current NBA and NLL players, it is very much worth noting the many equivalences at play when entering a time machine to compare Michael Jordan and John Tavares, the widely observed G.O.A.T’s of these aforementioned sports entities. The best of the best coalesced tenacity, leadership and an uncanny skillset to achieve a combined 10 championships and eight MVP honors. Take note of one of Jordan’s most famous shots and how its’ efforts align with the current Bandits head coach’s approach to the game of lacrosse

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