Watch any Rockets game and you’re likely to experience a mental trigger — that immediate notion that something you’ve just seen is ever so slightly amiss. There is no evidence so flagrant as to get up in arms about and no whistle to validate your instant suspicion. But James Harden weaved from just inside the three-point line all the way to the rim with a single dribble, finished and drew contact in the process. His syncopated strides bear a completely different rhythm from the quick one-two step of a standard drive, to the point that they almost seem illegal. That’s largely because Harden’s drives almost are illegal. No NBA player is more slippery off the bounce, in part because no player is more willing to walk the fine line of the league’s traveling rules. The widespread confusion over the letter and enforcement of the traveling violation has locked most of the league into a very conventional two-count driving style, though some of the more daring players are prone to Eurosteps or jump stops on occasion. Harden’s cadence is a world apart, largely because of his cunning manipulation of the “gather” provision of the rule. LINk to full story on SI http://nba.si.com/2013/01/16/james-harden-traveling/ By the way I know its in wrong section but for months now I have been blocked on posting in Rockets section. Why I have no idea.
Its never been a travel, it's all confusion with the rule, and Hardens out of sync gather dribble. You are allowed to take two steps or less after you touch the ball with your second hand, or after palming or cradling the ball with one hand. Technically, you can bounce the ball, take 2 steps, pick the ball up and the take a futher two steps. However, it's near impossible to do, and in most cases inpractical. Harden has mastered picking the ball up at the latest possible instance. What also adds to confusion is being left handed. Jumping off his right foot, everything is back to front to your typical right side player.
Seems like it's been debated and settled (and maybe initiated?) among the teammates and coaches in practice already. :grin: from Nov. 15, 2012 http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2012/11/15/PracticeTravellingmp4-2294996
Harden gives himself an extra half/fraction of a step by taking his last dribble just before he goes into his two steps. Most people take last bounce and step at the same time, but he dribbles a first, then steps, then gets two more. I'm trying to incorporate it into my game. Anybody here play down at Gregory at UT? Let's hoop it up.
Wade palms the ball on almost every drive. Garnett sets moving screens on almost every pick. Star players develop traits that are ignored by refs.
the last drive to the basket in the linked video from op was definitely a travel... but my question is how can the refs call a travel when they don't even notice a double-dribble?
that's it and LEBRON JAMES often travels people are always hating when it comes to a star or superstar
I called this weeks ago. It's fascinating though, as when other stars travel it is so obvious, but with James it's very difficult to spot it. It's like I think that was a travel... I am right handed but with a bust left achilles over the years, it's meant I am better driving to the right. And over the years, I am better finishing with my left hand, I really want to borrow some of his travelling ways, but find it's really difficult to go right left right foot.....
I'm 6'3" and I sucked at basketball until I learned how to take 3 steps. Then I started killing it. Never called for traveling once.
Yep, Patrick Ewing's response to whether he travelled during a last second shot vs the Pacers: "I thought I was Jordan for a second". I actually don't think he travels. He does the same thing as Ginobili. He waits till the defender favors one direction he then picks up the ball and swings it to the opposite side. The shot is all timing and going slow to fast, or fast to slow depending on what the defender does.
New hit: "Sidestep your love" <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hoy_en_la_revolucion/8390968156/" title="walkhard by *The last son of krypton*, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8390968156_b66cea00da.jpg" width="341" height="500" alt="walkhard"></a>
