How many points would you score in an NBA game? (1 Viewer)

[Al O'Pecia]

Pretend that for some bizarre reason an NBA team is down to four players before tip-off, but they need to have five on the court or forfeit. They decide, "What the heck? It's worth a try", and pull your ### out of the stands to suit up. Now here are the conditions:

- Nothing about you changes. You are who you are. Don't pretend super powers for the sake of this exercise.

- Since there are only five players available you'll be playing a full 48 minutes.

- The player guarding you for the majority of the game is your average defender. Not great, not horrible, average.

How many points do you score?

 

[fantasycurse42]

25-30 with a full 48.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Zero, unless the other team managed to send me to the line, which could in theory happen if my defender tripped and fell into me. Players sometimes trip.

 

[FUBAR]

Zero, unless the other team managed to send me to the line, which could in theory happen if my defender tripped and fell into me. Players sometimes trip.

yep. I'm banking on a foul and my free throw percentage in my backyard is pretty decent.

but really I'm much more likely to foul out than get sent to the line.

 

[Cjw_55106]

I didnt see an option for "Whatever they let me score". Unless someone on this board played big time college basketball, most NBA point guards could shut you out if they wanted. Im assuming no one, or at least very few here are 6'9+ and would all play the piont.

 

[Jack White]

Since the other team would guard me like they guard Rondo, I would go 3-11 from deep.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

If they went hack-a-Cliff I could probably make a few if I was fresh. But after about 10 minutes of game time I'd be so exhausted that I'd shoot 5.6% from the line.

 

[Guest]

I would imagine when the deficit got to 40+, the other team may just let me shoot a few times.

ETA: Still voted zero.

 

[GOB]

I'd be lucky to be alive at halftime. No chance I would get a clean shot off. I would be lucky to put the ball on the floor successfully.

Luckily I have never attempted to play a lick of D. So nothing should change on that end.

Unless we are playing the Clippers I could probably catch Jordan for the 6 intentional fouls.

 

[Corporation]

On one hand, you have to assume that absolutely no one would guard you. On the other hand, no one on your team is going to pass you the ball. I think the most likely scenario is I can't get out of the way of someone on the other team (or even on my own team) and I get injured.

 

[GOB]

Btw I'm assuming the other team isn't going to play you soft.

Lol at Jack White thinking he will make 3 shots, let alone from beyond the arc. NFW

 

[Jack White]

On one hand, you have to assume that absolutely no one would guard you. On the other hand, no one on your team is going to pass you the ball. I think the most likely scenario is I can't get out of the way of someone on the other team (or even on my own team) and I get injured.

I hereby nominate you for a "Best Avi - Non Hot Chick" award.

 

[fantasycurse42]

My points would have to come in the paint... Assuming the person guarding me was between 6' and 6'3, I'd prob have a solid 10-30 pounds of muscle on them.

Maybe my assessment of 25-30 is excessive, but I could prob get 20.

Also, if inserted into a hockey game I score 2, as an NFL QB I throw for 350/3/1, and a DH I go 2/5 with a double, HR, 5 RBI's, and a stolen base.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I wouldn't score any points, but I would bring a lot of intangibles to the floor.

 

[Dentist]

i wouldn't go in.

Answer zero

odds of injury very early in my playing time if I did go in? HIGH

 

[Dentist]

My points would have to come in the paint... Assuming the person guarding me was between 6' and 6'3, I'd prob have a solid 10-30 pounds of muscle on them.

Maybe my assessment of 25-30 is excessive, but I could prob get 20.

Also, if inserted into a hockey game I score 2, as an NFL QB I throw for 350/3/1, and a DH I go 2/5 with a double, HR, 5 RBI's, and a stolen base.

yeah, but how would you do against Nadal?

 

[fantasycurse42]

My points would have to come in the paint... Assuming the person guarding me was between 6' and 6'3, I'd prob have a solid 10-30 pounds of muscle on them.

Maybe my assessment of 25-30 is excessive, but I could prob get 20.

Also, if inserted into a hockey game I score 2, as an NFL QB I throw for 350/3/1, and a DH I go 2/5 with a double, HR, 5 RBI's, and a stolen base.

yeah, but how would you do against Nadal?

I take him... 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 6-0

Novak would be a closer match for me.

 

[Zow]

Whoever said however much they wanted to let you score is right. If they wanted to defend me id never touch the ball on the offensive end. If they just ignored I may be able to hit a jumper.

I saw a real life example of this. I watched a Minnesota Timberwolves preseason inter squad scrimmage like a dozen years ago at my college. Craig Kilborn (from the area) was a guest player. He's well over six feet and was a hs star for basketball. In warm ups he looked pretty good actually. In short, guy could play and would probably be better than 95% of this board. However during the game he was clearly outmatched and it was obvious he would be shut down by anyone at anytime. I think he scored

once when he wasn't guarded. I do remember he threw a nice no look pass at some point and the twolves players were entertained in a similar fashion to adults in s pickup game when some young kid who they're letting play as a favor to the kids dad does something good.

 

[Zow]

I wouldn't score any points, but I would bring a lot of intangibles to the floor.

Oh Id hustle my ### off on the floor. No doubt I'm sprinting full speed when some guy jogs passed me easily with his one stride to my two.

 

[MC Gas Money]

No more than 2-3 if I played a full game.

I could probably play decent defense against some bench scrubs on the perimeter.

Im a terrible shooter but if I were to grab a far bouncibg rebound or loose ball I would panic and lob it up and it could go in

 

[Jack White]

Btw I'm assuming the other team isn't going to play you soft.

Lol at Jack White thinking he will make 3 shots, let alone from beyond the arc. NFW

The other team would use its five guys to guard our four guys. I'd be wide open every time.

And once I showed them in warmups I can shoot, they would get me the ball.

No matter how old you get, you can still shoot. I'm a shooter. I could make a few wide-open jumpers.

 

[SFBayDuck]

Assuming I had competent NBA teammates the other team would absolutely help off of me to double and/or sag in to the key to deny penetration. I'd camp out in the corner and would probably be able to get up a few open 3s, and I've always been able to shoot a little. Sure they'd recover and block one or two of them, but I'd sneak one or two in.

 

[D in the D]

I'd mess around and get a triple-double.

 

[Buttonhook]

Voted 6-8 points.

Put me on the Sacramento Kings so I can stand under our basket and cherry-pick the whole game.

 

[MC Gas Money]

https://m.youtube.com/results?q=george%20mikan&sm=3

I might have a chance to shine in that game as long as I avoid Mikan and the one black guy playing

 

[timschochet]

I could probably play decent defense against some bench scrubs on the perimeter.

lol Any "bench scrub" in the NBA would score against you at will from anywhere on the court.

 

[MC Gas Money]

I could probably play decent defense against some bench scrubs on the perimeter.

lol Any "bench scrub" in the NBA would score against you at will from anywhere on the court.

I said "decent" not "lockdown" defense

I have quick feet and lateral movement and I could keep up with a lot of guys.

 

[TLEF316]

I play ball every week and I'm a pretty good outside shooter. I've played against several future nba/former big time college or over seas players. I know what kind of athlete I'd be up against.

If they guard me as if I'm a normal player I wouldn't score outside of pure luck. Theyre just too good.

If they guard me as if I'm a non shooter and I get 7 or 8 open shots over the course of 48 minutes I'd probably hit a couple. I'd have to rush due to the closeout and the nba 3 is outside my range so any shot I took would basically be a prayer.

So gun to my head, I say I score 4 points assuming my teammates don't freeze me out and are actually willing to kick it out when I'm wide open.

 

[timschochet]

I could probably play decent defense against some bench scrubs on the perimeter.

lol Any "bench scrub" in the NBA would score against you at will from anywhere on the court.

I said "decent" not "lockdown" defenseI have quick feet and lateral movement and I could keep up with a lot of guys.

OK lol

 

[brianj74]

5-ish points.

Might be able to a jumper or two, and maybe 1-2 free throws.

 

[Zow]

No more than 2-3 if I played a full game.

I could probably play decent defense against some bench scrubs on the perimeter.

Im a terrible shooter but if I were to grab a far bouncibg rebound or loose ball I would panic and lob it up and it could go in

No you couldn't.

Watch below. Brian Scalabrine, regarded as one of the worst NBA players, takes on some gym "all-stars". Guys who are likely much better than you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYsrDDfaF38

 

[Zow]

I'd mess around and get a triple-double.

Today is a good day.

 

[Zow]

I play ball every week and I'm a pretty good outside shooter. I've played against several future nba/former big time college or over seas players. I know what kind of athlete I'd be up against.

If they guard me as if I'm a normal player I wouldn't score outside of pure luck. Theyre just too good.

If they guard me as if I'm a non shooter and I get 7 or 8 open shots over the course of 48 minutes I'd probably hit a couple. I'd have to rush due to the closeout and the nba 3 is outside my range so any shot I took would basically be a prayer.

So gun to my head, I say I score 4 points assuming my teammates don't freeze me out and are actually willing to kick it out when I'm wide open.

I still think 4 is a bit much, but this is probably the most well-reasoned response yet.

 

[Sinn Fein]

I am going to assume the team is Sacramento, and they are still willing to play 4 v. 5 with a cherry picker.

So, I'll go with 30-35 points, conservatively.

 

[B-Deep]

I'd score 0 in a wnba game

in an ncaa D1 game

in a women's ncaa D1 game

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

During his first few seasons as an NBA commentator, Tim Legler had an open challenge to play one-on-one against anyone who never played professional basketball. His stipulation was the game had to be held in a gym big enough to hold all the challenger's family and friends, so everyone the challenger knew and loved would witness him getting beat 11-0 by Tim Legler.

 

[B-Deep]

prolly 0 as a Globetrotter against the Generals

 

[B-Deep]

i'd crush it at a local 6th grade CYO game though

 

[Zow]

During his first few seasons as an NBA commentator, Tim Legler had an open challenge to play one-on-one against anyone who never played professional basketball. His stipulation was the game had to be held in a gym big enough to hold all the challenger's family and friends, so everyone the challenger knew and loved would witness him getting beat 11-0 by Tim Legler.

 

[TheAristocrat]

2 points - either absolutely, beyond the grasp of human intelligence lucky shot OR I hit 2 free throws (out of 6 chances, really hoping to get fouled more than once). If I only get fouled once, the over/under is set at 1 and even I'd bet the under.

Even if you don't like the NBA (like me), these are professionals. We'd all be lucky at 1 point. Some of us would be lucky to still be standing after 3 minutes of play.

 

[Guest]

I wouldn't even bother to run to the D end half the time. So maybe the cherry picker strategies would get me a couple buckets if my teammates wanted to be nice.

 

[Zow]

I don't understand where people keep thinking they have a reasonable chance at foul shots. If you drive an NBA player isn't going to foul you. He's going to beat you to any point and you'd have to throw up some high-arching fade.

 

[B-Deep]

if you put mew at the foul line with 9 professionals standing there and 2 full benches, even without a crowd watching, the pressure would render me unable to sink a shot

0-10 from the foul line if they are dumb enough to foul me 5 times

 

[TLEF316]

During his first few seasons as an NBA commentator, Tim Legler had an open challenge to play one-on-one against anyone who never played professional basketball. His stipulation was the game had to be held in a gym big enough to hold all the challenger's family and friends, so everyone the challenger knew and loved would witness him getting beat 11-0 by Tim Legler.

any normal human 1 on 1 vs a former pro under 55 or a big time college/overseas player is an 11 to 0 skunking 9 times out of 10.(the one time being a lucky shot that you just throw towards the rim)But 5 on 5 is different and if you're a decent shooter and in shape you might be able to make 1 or 2 open j's over 48 minutes within the flow of an nba offense. Might be able to get lucky on one or 2 cherry picking attempts as well.

Again, this is assuming your teammates pass you the ball when you're wide open.

 

[Brony]

Prison rules? still zero.

 

[Wrigley]

Why would they guard the white guy?

20+

Sorry, misread WMBA

 

[Keith R]

I could draw a shooting foul and get 2 points. That's it.

 

[jon_mx]

There is no way they would bother gaurding me. I would camp out at the three point line and probably throw up a few if I am left open. I think I can make a couple and maybe force them to at least not allow me wide open looks.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

During his first few seasons as an NBA commentator, Tim Legler had an open challenge to play one-on-one against anyone who never played professional basketball. His stipulation was the game had to be held in a gym big enough to hold all the challenger's family and friends, so everyone the challenger knew and loved would witness him getting beat 11-0 by Tim Legler.

any normal human 1 on 1 vs a former pro under 55 or a big time college/overseas player is an 11 to 0 skunking 9 times out of 10.(the one time being a lucky shot that you just throw towards the rim)But 5 on 5 is different and if you're a decent shooter and in shape you might be able to make 1 or 2 open j's over 48 minutes within the flow of an nba offense. Might be able to get lucky on one or 2 cherry picking attempts as well.

Again, this is assuming your teammates pass you the ball when you're wide open.

I thought your analysis of the situation was really good. How many points the scrub scores is largely dependent on how the opposing team uses the scrub's man as a help defender, and how willing the NBA-caliber teammates are willing to dish to the wide-open scrub.

I think the scoring window for the scrub is smaller if he bothers trying to play defense. 18-20 possessions chasing around an NBA player moving at NBA speed wears out world-class athletes. A scrub would be gassed a LOT sooner than that and would be useless after a few minutes.

 

[Leviathan]

I'm a terrible shot so I would have to rely on my wicked dunking skills.

10 points, I reckon.