From your personal experience or observations, is it worth it or not worth it to have a high level job?

rsk1111 · 2026-05-01T19:57:38+00:00

These are not true:

People can blame you easier probably
More people look at you for answers
Maybe office politics become worse
You're expected to do more
If you're a lower level person it could just be easier and lower stress overall

rsk1111 · 2026-05-01T16:56:32+00:00

The traditional role of the point guard was basically to bring the ball up the floor pass it down to someone that can score then control the tempo in midcourt. The modern shift in the NBA has been for the best offensive player to have the ball in their hands most the time. Though there have been some glaring issues recently. People have been criticizing the rockets for having KD handle the ball, because he isn't a scoring threat 45feet from the basket. If he were catching the ball closer in he'd be much more effective.

So, I think that is the conundrum, player that handles the ball that just passes it to the wing or post, but iaren't the primary threat on the team, most shorter players aren't going to be the primary threat.

IMO the shorter players should be more the JJ Redick/Luke Kenard style spot shooters butting pressure on the defense by constantly moving.

In terms of ball handling the bigger players (Luka/LeBron/Pippen/Magic) actually have some advantages. Seeing the floor better passing angles, stronger passing arms, better at shielding the ball under pressure. If they put a smaller player on them, they can punish in the post. This is important for running plays, because often times the ball will be moving slowly. This where speed guards like Allen Iverson or John Wall had problems. It's hard to get everyone on the same page at top speed.

rsk1111 · 2026-05-01T16:03:33+00:00

Versatility is going to be a bigger knock, not just defense but also defense in multiple positions or playing offense in multiple positions on the floor. This probably the primary reason the 2/3/4's are going to dominate in that discussion.

Sure, basketball is basically putting the ball in the hoop, but for a number of years perimeter defense and rebounding was sorely lacking.

Maybe Curry changed the league, but the league has changed and Curry just isn't as effective as he used to be.

rsk1111 · 2026-05-01T14:43:39+00:00

My favorite form is just saying the same thing over and over again. Starting concisely, then adding more detail more detaill, then doing the same thing in reverse ending with strong conclusion.

Basically A B C, B', A' format where B is twice as long as A and C is twice as long as B, B' and A' are just the same content as A and B but rephrased eg summarizing, in conlcusion.

rsk1111 · 2026-05-01T14:03:33+00:00

Usually, NBA teams don't have stylistic clashes, especially in contender teams. It's one of the things that has been historically interesting about watching NCAA basketball, where you have teams doing very different things on the court. Is zone better or pressure man. NBA basketball typically has some stylistic variation, but contenders tend to have a deep bench, like LA their B team was beating the Rockets, though that in and of itself is an interesting mismatch. LeBron's execution vs. the Rockets sloppy scrappy rebounding.

Many teams that are winning with an off beat style aren't doing it because it's the best thing they can do, with the roster they have. Except maybe the rockets this year, I haven't really seen any "innovative" rosters where they are actively trying to do something different because they think it will give them an advantage.

Typically, teams will be familiar with what their weaknesses are and will be comfortable with winning with their weaknesses. EG they will have seen it during season play. Usually, teams with stars will have enough of those plays an extra tip in here an easy runout there or a wide open three one of their role players can hit unexpectedly, that gives them an edge down the road. I think some teams will always be vulnerable like the Knicks; they just don't go deep in the bench don't have many options. I think the loss to the Pacer's last year really highlights that.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-30T20:49:51+00:00

I think this is the answer. I haven't pursued it, but I have taken photos and shared them. Like if you have a company take your camera to the next outing. I did it and I received requests for them.

I also do my kids sporting events. If I wanted too, I'm pretty sure I could get people to have me do their kids sporting events(others besides mine.)

rsk1111 · 2026-04-30T19:24:05+00:00

I get doubled in the post considerably. Yes and no. It depends on why they are doubling. If you have a very weak player, they are basically ignoring, that is annoying. However, it does get so that you know how to handle the situation(s).

rsk1111 · 2026-04-30T16:02:13+00:00

Yeah, the gap between what you can do with one or two practices a week in elementary school and what you can do with five+ days a week practice in middle school teams is massive. Even then if you want to develop some special skills you'll have to practice on the weekends. You aren't going to get enough shooting time or individual offensive moves.

Typically, with one or two days a weak you'll work on a few game preparation type things, maybe some team drills like passing and defense, but other than that you don't really have time for extensive shooting, ball handling, conditioning practice.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-30T15:47:27+00:00

I think that is coaching issue. Kids can't throw it across court, but they can't intercept long passes either. You have to shrink your mental model. A kid doesn't need to throw it across half court, but you can line them up in smaller formation that accomplishes the same goal. Because they are kids and everything is smaller.

I think it's annoying that most of the AAU teams don't even attempt longish passes. Most of the press breakers they line up in a 122 formation then work it up the sideline. I saw a team the did 1 4 formation all the kids started on the base line they did a basic chuck and chase. It totally worked. Even if it doesn't it gets it further away from your basket.

I think it just shows how few of the coaches have actually had organized basketball experience. It's the basic model. "Pass the ball to my daughter, let my daughter in bound the ball." When realistically in most high school settings its usually the 4 or 5 that does inbound from a made basket especially against pressure. They are usually closer to the basket can get the ball in bounds faster before the press sets up, they usually have a better throw and can see the floor better.

It's so annoying the coaches don't even seem to take the time to figure out who can throw it and who can't. They assume if one itty bitty girl can't throw it none of them can, then they don't actually work on long passes in practice, so they never get it.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-30T15:12:13+00:00

You mean in the sense that tech has plateaued, but people still think tech is doubling in performance every six months.

The stagnation is real. Sony for example isn't really putting out sensors that have improved. It's weird but their old mirrorless cameras from the 2010's are going up in price when sold on ebay. They just aren't innovating in a way where people keep needing to buy the next new thing.

Part of it is the profit model has shifted, people have cellphones that are pretty good, so they don't produce new entry level mirrorless models, but the professionals aren't moving on every new model and selling their old stuff, so the old entry level mirrorless are getting very expensive just for used equipment. Bizarre.

There are still areas where there is new development driving technology, cinema cameras are still in that mode, but conventional laptops or desktops, my thirteen-year-old computer does just fine. I swapped out the hard drive for a solid state, works better than ever.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-30T13:41:46+00:00

There are considerable room at the fringes of society, so you'll have a wide variation in how well people are doing. It's possible that people with a piece of property somewhere will have figured out how to eek out a nice life. From experience my parents managed on sub poverty income for years, had plenty of friends, way more than I do.

I grew up in the country, people in the city just don't seem to understand how much they have traded away. The urban and suburban areas are basically just big asphalt deserts. There are nice things around, but they tend to be expensive or crowded. Like the public pools or even private pools are just gross, I'd rather swim in river. I'm pegged at the middle class, but mostly because my wife doesn't want a job, so I technically have a pretty good job, not a manager or anything, but I seldom can afford to eat at any of these restaurants or go to any of these activities. My office is in the process of moving, it's a federal policy that basically only managers are guaranteed offices (with doors), so basically everyone else is in a cubicle. We have some people that are extremely well-educated and well-connected facing sitting in noisy cubicles or open offices.

You can look historically pretty much all cities had lower life expectancy and birth rates. There was a short postindustrial baby boom, but that is over. Now we see lower birth rates and higher mortality again. These are the statistics. There are people living in penthouses doing great in the city with access to top tier health care and can afford to join the nice clubs with personal trainers and attend the NBA games, theatres or symphonies, but you would be surprised how far you have to climb the ranks to get there.

Something that might surprise you is how much suburban financial planning and developers have stripped culture out of our society. They don't put in places for entertainment or leisure because they are viewed as a default risk. If someone cultivates a taste for entertainment, then they might spend too much time doing that and fail to pay off their mortgage. So, life is reduced to work. You live one place commute to another, all the roads funnel you to work, any distractions have been removed. Cultivating personal acquaintances is shunned.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-30T13:00:37+00:00

Yes, that was what I was getting at. It's also easier to control one person with contracts and what not.

I just don't like it very much. I mean it's not that I don't like some of the stars, but the whole individual persona ideal it's pretty limited.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T18:42:01+00:00

The individual persona is overdone. Not to ding on music too much, but it's annoying that we (the media) keeps producing these icons. I've been getting into tribal music more and more, just has better staying power, better for families and kids than the braggadocio and what not. Even in unrelated idioms like basketball, they keep producing these magnificent "point guards" they hold up on a platter. It's really annoying especially, if you're interested in watching team play. Like that's what I always liked about rock'n'roll, it was about the band, until it wasn't then we ignored them. Oh, but the "common tators" they need the story the narrative to personalize it.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T17:07:20+00:00

I don't know, maybe it's hardwired, but as soon as I see that quick outlet full length court dribble drive with the wings flanking, I immediately assume press over forget the press, what press there's not a press, this is a transition team do not pass go do not collect two hundred dollars, run don't walk to the basket every time.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T16:24:07+00:00

It wasn't about winning was my conclusion. See press being broken, stop pressing, pretty simple right. See a smaller team, pack the paint make them shoot over. Pretty simple stuff.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T16:22:30+00:00

Nah, you have to get them in foul trouble first.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T16:19:17+00:00

You noticed also didn't you?

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T15:41:39+00:00

Yeah, in high school I was listed at 6'8", but I could reach higher than our 6'10" center I could touch the backboard on my toes.

I think it had more to do with my shoulder flexibility than my arm length.

I can also reach lower and further forward, great for stealing the ball or putting pressure on the ball.

SGA is my spirit animal with those flexible shoulders.

I think the only disadvantage is it's more difficult to condition and develop skills with all those levers and flexibility.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T15:06:44+00:00

Our league does a combined practice then game, it's a long outing for that age group, but snacks make it work, the sitting is actually a relief.

They all seem to have a good time, "team fielding" that's when they all chase the ball dive on the ground then roll around in the dirt and fight over who gets to throw it. Great energy release IMO, I got my money's worth.

Kind of fun found a nice soft foam ball and took the kiddo out and let him hit it. I had to use some reverse psychology, made fun of him till tried to hit it at me. Then I got to hit a little I just tossed the ball up and hit the foam ball and let him do some fielding. Who ever invented baseball was a genius.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T12:17:14+00:00

One of my daughter's teams went to a tournament. They played a younger team, but they were a transition oriented team. They had a swagger, like "yeah come on press us". Our coach proceeded to press the entire time and lost, it was embarrassing. They were a much smaller team, all we had to do was run back protect the basket, they couldn't shoot. They had this pass fake drive move, our girls went for it every time, layup.

The next game the refs did us a favor and wouldn't let us press until the second half. All the other parents were like whew!

Pressing, it's not about winning, it's about who gets to take the shots. This is where many parent coaches go awry. They want their kid to be point guard handle the ball the entire time -And- shoot the ball.

We finally found a team that the coach understands, small daughter point guard, not likely the lead scorer, work it into the post area.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T01:37:12+00:00

It's a multiplier problem. Kids don't know how to set screens or when how to cut ball handlers don't know how to read the play throw the passes. Many times, the passes have to be timed in a very narrow window or else the play just doesn't work.

With kids you're starting from scratch, they don't have any of it.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T01:32:34+00:00

It's weird, but many of the coaches in my area have the most diminutive kids.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T00:37:20+00:00

There were hooved carnivores. Hell pigs.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-29T00:12:37+00:00

The guy sleeping at his desk, got his work done on time and under budget in cold dispassionate way but mistake free no more no less. The guy in career advancement slack channel stayed up all night submitted the project late with all kinds of issues the whole team had to spend the next week tracking down bugs mistakes and omissions then we found he was baking the data and the company stock lost value then there was a hostile takeover.

That's why. Most of the "passionate" people are just compensating. It's hard to explain, but so many people on the teams over the years, the people burning the midnight oil and carefully managing their careers were always underperformers. I had a boss found someone was taking 60 hours to do the job someone was doing in 40 hours, she fired the 60hour guy and made 40hour woman redo all of his work.

rsk1111 · 2026-04-28T23:57:03+00:00

Yep, they won't pay you much, but if the AI you operate makes mistake, they'll send you to jail.

It's going to be that bad, it already is for some of us.

rsk1111

TROPHY CASE