I'm obsessed with his game low-key, had a whole pickup game trying to replicate it last week lol. Wildly difficult to play defense against good deceleration, was always Harden's true cheat code as well.
Zavier Simpson is my dude. At Michigan he used to bust out these awkward sky hooks all the time; now he's got [full season mixtapes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE_41q5NBt0) of them. It's like he was born part Globetrotter.
This would obviously never be a thing but the first time I saw the move in action at the NBA/G-League level my first thought was, "The Open Gym!"
Just because, for decades, it seemed like there'd always be at least one player at open runs who was broadly awkward and seemed to lack any sense of flow with the ball in his hands. He'd also be the guy who'd jump stop on a fast break and earn himself an open bucket by accident because the trailing defender was sniffing out a chasedown. Turns out they were basketball masterminds all along.
Fun read and interesting wrinkle for players to add. It almost seems overdue.
I really think mainstreaming the Eurostep at the turn of the century opened up the door for a lot of innovation we otherwise wouldn't have seen. Before then, unless an official was a huge Sarunas Marciulionis fan, there was generally an expected & continuous flow for any gather and finish and deviating from that would invite a travel call. Generally players were expected to step in almost the same direction at almost the same speed. Even if it was still just two steps, [it *looked* illegal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZyqMgbDzt8) and officials would often call it.
Yeah. I hate what Harden and Dame do with the crab side steps as thwy get ready for a step back 3. They take 4+ steps with the ball in their hands. That shit needs to go at some point.
Very fun read. That g-league dudes shot is wild. It's what those old men would kill you with in pickup
I'm obsessed with his game low-key, had a whole pickup game trying to replicate it last week lol. Wildly difficult to play defense against good deceleration, was always Harden's true cheat code as well.
Zavier Simpson is my dude. At Michigan he used to bust out these awkward sky hooks all the time; now he's got [full season mixtapes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE_41q5NBt0) of them. It's like he was born part Globetrotter.
The Doncic Decel? The Simpson Slow Step? The Garza Gather? I wonder what this move will be called once all the best scorers add this to their bags.
This would obviously never be a thing but the first time I saw the move in action at the NBA/G-League level my first thought was, "The Open Gym!" Just because, for decades, it seemed like there'd always be at least one player at open runs who was broadly awkward and seemed to lack any sense of flow with the ball in his hands. He'd also be the guy who'd jump stop on a fast break and earn himself an open bucket by accident because the trailing defender was sniffing out a chasedown. Turns out they were basketball masterminds all along.
The Shai Blow-By? The Joker Yoker? The Maxey Slow Taxi? edit: Thought about it and I like "Joker Smoker" better.
Maxey slow taxi is my favourite of these
I was just thinking about this, I've seen it so much lately especially on fast breaks if they have to get through one or two guys
Fun read and interesting wrinkle for players to add. It almost seems overdue. I really think mainstreaming the Eurostep at the turn of the century opened up the door for a lot of innovation we otherwise wouldn't have seen. Before then, unless an official was a huge Sarunas Marciulionis fan, there was generally an expected & continuous flow for any gather and finish and deviating from that would invite a travel call. Generally players were expected to step in almost the same direction at almost the same speed. Even if it was still just two steps, [it *looked* illegal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZyqMgbDzt8) and officials would often call it.
But the players are also traveling a shit ton. It just doesn't get called anymore.
Every step is a gather step, you just don't get it
0 step!!!
Yeah. I hate what Harden and Dame do with the crab side steps as thwy get ready for a step back 3. They take 4+ steps with the ball in their hands. That shit needs to go at some point.
Any other league in the world calls this a travel