Posted by seble on 9/15/2010 2:16:00 PM (view original):
Quick update: I've had a chance to look over the latest proposal and I think it will work pretty well with a few tweaks. I'm going to work with our source to see what can be done. The major issue now is big guys being able to play guard too much. Other than that it's pretty close. Hang in there.
Easy solution - no one should be able to play down from their listed position unless they're someone specific (Jordan, Lebron, Kobe, etc) or they meet fairly strict criteria. Most two guards can't play the point effectively anyway, and most small forwards can't play guard effectively (otherwise they would, in most cases). As for power forwards and centers - just come up with some kind of minimum mid-range and perimeter scoring rates for them to play down. Like, if a power forward got more than 30% of his baskets from the perimeter (counting mid-range as half of its value, so 5% perimeter and 50% mid range would count or 15% and 30%), then let him play small forward. If a center got more than 20% from the perimeter, let him play power forward (and maybe be a little stricter for a center to play all the way down to small forward). Obviously the exact numbers could be tweaked until we get something that looks right.
As for playing up from your position - again, aside from special cases amongst the best players in history - just make it based on height and rebound rate or something. Really, playing up a position offensively is generally easier than playing down a position (but sure, feel free to put in minimum post-scoring requirements to play the 4 or 5). Defensively, so as long as you're tall enough (and strong enough - can we use weight?) and can rebound your position (although, I'm tempted to say ignore rebounds, and if someone wants to play a team that doesn't rebound well, let them), you can usually play up (i.e. what two guard who's tall enough can't guard small forwards?).