You Gotta’ Love Technology

I was reading Ben Maller’s site today and one of his lead stories was about how Colorado Rockiers first baseman Todd Helton has uploaded all of his at bats on his iPod.

According to the Denver Post, Helton, “has organized his files so that he can call up the pitchers of each team and watch how he has swung the bat against them. He sees it all on a tiny screen that fits in the palm of his hand. Helton got the iPod this year. It has become his constant companion.”

Further down in the Post article Helton says that, “I can watch it on the plane, the bus, wherever. It’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? That little thing holds that much information.”

While this is a baseball story, I couldn’t help but think about how NBA players could utilize this technology.

One example that stuck out in my mind is that assistant coaches can post clips of their next opponent so players can download and watch in their hotel room or on the plane. Players could view what types of defenses opposing teams will be using against them and they can see what some of their offensive sets look like. I’ve never been a player that’s done well watching X’s and O’s on a chalkboard but watching video clips would have been more effective for me.

Another way basketball players can utilize this is by watching clips of their shooting technique. If a young player like Dwight Howard is struggling from the charity stripe, he can look at clips of his current shooting form and contrast it to a point earlier in the season. Then, he’ll realize if it’s psychological or if it boils down to bad shooting form.

Basically, the options are limitless from how players and coaching staffs can utilize this kind of technology.

What does everyone else think about this?