About NBA Scouting

History

• The early NBA scouts did not have the wealth of technology available to those of today. Scouting players meant taking long rides by car or bus to small gyms in obscure cities. Teams had no staffs of scouts to depend on, as they often had just one person looking for talent. In the 1950s, as the NBA was beginning to take hold in the American sports landscape, club officials had to rely on word of mouth. The person in charge of scouting might attend a couple of college all-star contests to gauge talent. Gradually, as teams were able to funnel money into scouting, it became more advanced, with video available of players--but on a much more limited basis than today. In 1971 Marty Blake, a former player, coach and general manager, established a scouting service that is still in use today by the NBA. Every team in the NBA relies on Blake, who was made the director of scouting services in 1976; all NBA scouts are under his direction.

Function

• NBA scouts need to find players who are going to contribute right away in most cases, especially for teams that are struggling and have high draft picks. They have to be able to evaluate not only talent but a player's character, as well. Specific needs of NBA squads are addressed in the draft each year, with teams having a limited amount of picks to fill those needs. Scouts have to break down film, talk to coaches and players, watch games and make judgments and projections on a player's abilities.

Time Frame

• At one time a scout only had to focus attention on those players competing at the college level, but that has changed. Before the NBA instituted a rule stating a player has to be at least 19 years old during the year of the draft to be chosen, scouts had to concern themselves with high school players who had enough talent to jump directly to the NBA. Now that the rule is in place, they still have to be acutely aware of those high school hoopsters who are going to attend college for one year before declaring themselves eligible for the draft. The youth of these players makes it very difficult to accurately judge their ability, as they have so much room to improve. For every young player that is drafted and becomes a star, there are three or four that never pan out, which can cost a scout his job. NBA scouts who have high school players on their radar are looking to see whether the player is a standout because of a lack of competition or if the player has skills that will translate to the NBA in time. They also try to estimate how tall the player will be in a few years, his strength and his family situation, which can influence decisions he will make as to when to enter the draft. High school players today now are featured in elite tournaments during the course of their senior years where not only college recruiters but NBA scouts can get a look at them.

Size

• NBA scouts used to be able to look at a very tall player and only have to worry if they would be able to play center in the league. Scouts looked for height first. Now, there are forwards and guards that are as tall as many centers used to be, possessing incredible skill levels. Scouts need to be able to tell how effective a player will be in the NBA. Having to decide if these players can make it in the professional ranks is part of a scout's job description.

Geography

• Scouts not only have to worry about players in the United States, they have to have knowledge of players from all over the world. Foreign players have had a profound impact on the NBA, and there has to be a scouting network in place in many other countries so that teams can have a chance to find an international player who can help them. The quality of play in Europe is not on par with that of the NBA, so it can be difficult for a scout to assess a player's potential by simply watching him play in those leagues. They will often bring players in for workouts, with the emphasis on physical ability so as to determine if a player has what it takes. Blake now has an extensive network overseas watching for prospects.