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NBA Active Players with the Highest Basketball IQ
The allure of basketball stats is fascinating; stats are critical to deciphering a player or team’s performance. As a stats head and proposition bets enthusiast, I plead guilty of being equally hooked by digits.
Nonetheless, there is a more abstract concept called Basketball IQ that goes beyond the player’s athletic skills, and that is impossible to measure using numbers but shows how smart a player is on the court. First off, let’s break down what basketball IQ is.
What Is Basketball IQ?
Basketball IQ is the ability a player has to play intelligently. The definition may vary depending on the source you check because, then again, there is not a standardized way to calculate it.
But, what does it entail to play intelligently? The key goes down to two principal aptitudes: The ability to predict the opponent’s movements and to adapt to a game in progress.
On the predictive end, the player must know the opponents’ tactics and strategies to anticipate their next move and act accordingly. Here high basketball IQ can translate into great defense and top-quality court vision.
On the adaptation front, the player must know their rivals’ strengths and weaknesses and use them to their advantage. For instance, recognizing a play as it happens and making the necessary adjustments.
High basketball IQ goes beyond the player’s physical abilities; it’s essential to diverge that players with NBA superstar status don’t necessarily have a high basketball IQ.
Below, we’ve broken down the list of NBA active players that have the highest basketball IQ in the NBA:
Who Are the Top 5 NBA Active Players with the Highest Basketball IQ?
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Chris Paul #3 | Point Guard | Phoenix Suns
Chris Paul might lack athleticism and height, but his intellectual abilities and deep understanding of the game of basketball compensate for his so-called shortage of physical skills. But, what does it make him the absolute best?
CP3 is at the top of the best NBA assists leaders and passers of all time; through observation, he accurately identifies where to find the open guy who will make the shot and how to put his teammate in the best possible situation to make successful plays.
Paul’s high basketball IQ manifests into the ability to make educated decisions in real-time while so many other things are happening quickly. Moreover, Paul has powerful reading skills to predict situations ahead of time. For instance, he knows when to pass instead of shooting.
Paul is a mastermind defensively; he can identify how the opponent’s defense is set up and organize his team to target that specific defense play. Also, he is very vocal on the court and has strong leadership skills.
In addition to possessing the desirable skills of a point guard, Paul is a basketball geek and is passionate about learning all about the game. Players with a deep understanding of the game of basketball make the cleverest guys on the court.
Chris has the talent to improve whatever team he plays. I can’t think of a more suitable nickname for Paul than “The Point God.”.
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LeBron James #6 | Forward | Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James has a demigod body type and athletic skills, which is not rare in the NBA; however, his brain sets him apart from the rest. James is a basketball geek – he not only knows the technical aspects of the game but knows the players’ strengths and weaknesses.
He has an uncanny photographic memory; he can mentally revisit plays and make the necessary adjustments when facing the same circumstances on the court. Also, he can accurately predict the next moves, so he is always in control of the game.
In addition, he has outstanding coaching skills. He is an unselfish player that looks to help his peers. We can witness during LeBron’s performances how he coaches his teammates and assures them they are involved in the game. Also, he is a fantastic passer that makes the most out of this skill to outsmart his rivals.
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Nikola Jokic # 15 | Center | Denver Nuggets
Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic is not only the best center in the league but also a versatile player that can succeed at any position. But, what makes the Serbian our third top player with a high basketball IQ?
Jokic’s high basketball intelligence manifests in the offensive end. He displays top-level and quick decision-making skills. The Joker is the Nuggets’ offense orchestrator; the entire offense runs through him. He has developed excellent communication skills with his teammates, so the team can always count on his lead.
Also, his high basketball IQ displays the most in the paint area, Jokic is an adaptable player that can score from anywhere on the court, but his most efficient shoots come from inside the paint. With his top-quality court vision and a deep understanding of the game, he can create successful plays for himself and others to score in this area.
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Draymond Green # 23 | Forward | Golden State Warriors
At the beginning of his career, Green spent his first two NBA seasons on the bench, but his ferocity and drive served him well to become the best defensive man in the league. Draymond Green truly embodies the underdog story.
Green is versatile and can play point forward and center positions. Green’s adaptability and diversity make him an intelligent player that knows how to create opportunities.
On the defensive end is where Green’s IQ displays at its best. Besides guarding all five positions with brilliant defense, his reading skills help him to identify plays and act accordingly.
In addition, he has a remarkable capacity to notice everything. His unique court vision and intense game style make him the perfect leader. Also, he has a great sense of teamwork; he is loud on the court, constantly checking on his peers to ensure they are playing in the correct position.
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James Harden #1 | Guard | Philadelphia 76ers
The Beard is not the most athletic player in the Association, yet his massive basketball IQ proves there are more than physical skills to be successful in the sport. James Harden has tremendous reading skills, so his basketball IQ manifests the most in his quick-decision making and strategic attacks. He is an offensive mastermind.
In addition, Harden has made a significant impact on his team with his fantastic passing skills. He can create momentum and get his teammates involved for successful shoots. His understanding of the sport shows that he knows it is not all about scoring but making the right plays. Additionally, to check out more specific information about the NBA props available for the Pelicans vs Kings matchup.
Regarding scoring, Harden shines the most in isolation. It takes a clever player to break the defender in a face-to-face situation and score. Many great scorers are assisted, but it takes a tremendous player to score in isolation. Harden is driven and no matter what it takes, he will make the right play and score.
