It has been a joy to watch, amongst other things, two players take their games to the pinnacle of basketball for the playoffs. Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant are approaching basketball with a lot of creativity, intestinal fortitude and it has been really nice to see. Just to point out two highlight reel plays, on Thursday Chris Paul proved that he is the man that you least want to play HORSE against in the world. THat spinning, across the body scoop AND1 shot was just a marvel to see and totally amplified by it happening in the second half of a close playoff game where the rest of his team was struggling. Truly remarkable. And Kobe, last night, with about 4 minutes to go, split a double team then through an alley-oop to himself off of the backboard. THat is a highlight move in an all-star game, but to pull it on (at least) two defenders in the fourth quarter of a playoff game!! Wow, all four teams left standing out West are very good to great teams, and it will be fun to watch any of them for the remainder of the season, but a part of me is rooting for a Hornets-Lakers match up. Both teams are young with top top superstars and it would be wonderful to see those guys go at it. So impressive!
I guess not, I thought it was too. Although the guy I was watching the game with said it is only a violation if he touches the floor again with the ball in his hands.
Seriously I think everyone (including the officials) was just so baffled by the move that they didn't know what to do. 5 minutes to go in close playoff game? To be thinking like that, to have that move so in your head that it comes out in the flow of a game- wow.
No, it's not a travel. It's been done many times in games before, and usually they are more cocky about it. Kobe at least sold the fact that he took a shot and just got his own offensive rebound, I've seen guys under-hand throw the ball off the backboard and grab it.
However, the refs did miss an "up and down" violation, if you watch it slowly you can see that Kobe's foot hit the floor before he released the ball, but that was just a missed call. Then again, Jordan got away with that nearly every shot he took, so who cares?
Watching it again, he did shuffle his feet so the refs missed two travelling calls on one play, but the idea of throwing it off the glass and dunking it is legal.
Well, if we are going to get in the travel stuff then just about no NBA player ever should even get a shot off, much less make one.
I remember TMac making the play in All-Star game, I think I remember Vince doing it there too. I remember Kidd throwing a breakaway off the backboard to Vince, but I do not remember ever seeing someone A, pull that move in a meaningful moment on a real game (much less a playoff game) or B, pulling it on 2 players. I could be wrong though, but when I saw that shot it was one of those, "Oops, we are going to be watching that play every time we see Kobe Bryant career highlights for the next 30 years." I am loving the playoffs right now, good stuff.
Ignorepeter, Jamal Crawford did it in a Raps-Knicks game a few years back. It wasn't against 2 defenders though, and I doubt it was at a meaningful moment in the game (maybe it was). Kobe travelled because A) he shuffled his feet and B) because his foot touched the ground before he realeased the ball.
As for the actual play, I believe it should go down as a missed FG, then he got the offensive rebound and made the 2nd FG. Although in the Crawford case, the hometown score keeper decided to give him an assist and the made FG, no miss and no offensive board. Either or is fine, but it is legal.
Also, Kobe at least tried to sell the fact that he was taking a shot and was following up his own miss with the rebound. Crawford did it on purpose as if he was at Rucker Park or something.
Actually, I think t mac did it in a regular season game. I know he did it in the all star game but I think he, or it might of been someone else, did it in a regular game.
I think they only tend to call travel if a player gets past someone providing the defender with a distinct disadvantage, rather than call it every time a point guard dribbles, takes three steps, dribbles down the court with nobody on them or not getting past anyone.
If they are going to score with or without the travel they wont call it, they will only call it if it is providing the defensive player with a clear disadvantage.
The first time it was done was Tracy McGrady his first game against the Raptors when he left Toronto in 2000. He was running full speed though, so it wasnt the same as Kobe doing it from a standstill. With Kobe it was almost out of necessity, he jumped up with nowhere to go and couldnt make contact with the defender, T-Mac's was just a big middle finger to his old team and teammates. The worst was Steve Francis a few years ago:
Didn't Nate Robinson try it last year and wind up making the ball go out of bounds or something like that?
By the way don't take away from that play by Kobe. it was spectacular. I don't think there's any debate over who the best two players in the playoffs have been. Kobe's performance in the 4th quarter last night was magnificent.
Yeah GoH, he looked great. Although, I have been noticing a moderately alarming trend in Kobe's FT shooting. Quarters 1-3 he is literally a 95%+ shooter. Recently in the FOurth Quarter though, he's floating more around 75%. Still great, but he's been missing a few. And while he is still putting together offensive shows in the 4th, he has missed a few shots really badly. Hardly cause for the catastrophic "Where's Lebron" chants that have unfortunately plagued the Boards of late, but still a little alarming.
set shooters travel all the time...taking those two babysteps into their shot instead of just pivoting....That three pointer that duncan hit aginst the Suns to sen the game into OT was a ravel..he caught th ball and took two babysteps into his shot.....
Yes, TMAC did it in a preseason game agains the Raps, if I recall it correctly. At that time, I believe it was still illegal in regular games. However, shortly thereafter the rule was changed to allow it. After all, it is probably the most entertaining individual play in basketball.
I disagree with Bosh that TMAC did it as a slap in the face to Toronto. I think it was more for entertainment value than anything; and opportunity. Course Tornoto took offense and "junkyard dog" threatened to hurt TMAC if he attempted it again. TMAC shrugged it off as he always does. Toronto needs to grow some cajones and quite crying all the time; but what can you do. Some teams whine better than they play. LOL Irregardless of the reason, who cares. It was awesome. Enjoy it.
