How come?

Some taller guys don't have the balance or athleticism to dunk anytime they want. They need to gather their strength to go up strong and that gives the defense more time to compensate so lay-up might be a better choice.

In Yao's case, the lack of balance is most easily observed. He has also began dunking more as the years have passed because of added strentgth -> better balance.

For smaller guys it's kinda obvious. While they usually have the balance and quickness required to jump before the defense gets in, they still have the height disadvantage.

 

Or like TMac, just scared he was going to get injured.

 

And yet he probably still lead our team with 1 dunk a year.

 

The game is also going at very fast pace. You don't always have the time to think about what kinda shot you're taking. As well, a dunk can take more time to complete (giving the defense time to recover), depending on your footing. Not to mention that it takes more energy to dunk then it does to do a layup.

I'd also argue that, depending on your footing, and strength and such, it is often easier to holda and control the ball in a layup then a dunk. For example, taking a running two steps at the basket holding the ball in one hand, it's easier to knock the ball out of a players hand when he's attempting a dunk then a layup, IMO. He has the control to move the ball around my arm with a layup. Scola isn't going to go up for a dunk then switch to a scoop shot. Maybe it's different at the NBA skill level, but that's my experience.

 

Actually, his lack of dunking was more of a cultural influence. Dunking in China is seen as disrepectful for your opponents...it took a while for him to build that aggression because it is entirely the opposite of the way he was brought up to play basketball in China. Granted, balance may also have been a contributor to this..

 

Size and athleticism is no excuse for Jeffries. The guy has some hops, no doubt about it, and a standing reach over 9'. It should be easy for him to dunk, but so far I haven't seen him do it.

 

Is there a stat for this? I am curious to know who has the most dunks on the team this year. My guess would be Budinger.

 

You may see players dunk twice or three times a game but to keep doing it every time u get the ball in your hand in the low post will consume a lot of energy. Some players have been dunking most of their basketball career, they are used to it, it is part of their game and they are used to that level of energy output. Kinda like getting used to sprinting up and down the court.

 

If I was his height I would be dunking (disrespecting) everyone on a nightly basis.

 

Read my signature

 

Why don't you write out the whole question in the thread title.

That bugs me.

 

no t mac was allergic to the paint!

 

If I was as tall as yao or jeffries, I would try to dunk every time I got the ball

 

Albeit they are made at a higher percentage than layups, dunks are not 100% certain to score points. They can still be blocked. They can still go in and out. How many times have you seen a guy go up for a dunk and then watched it fly right out because he dunked it on the rim?

Also, if a layup uses the backboard, then it's harder to block. Because once it hits the backboard, it's goaltending if the defender touches it. There is less time available for the defender to react to the shot.

Dunks are great when the oppourtunity presents itself. And it is true that some players with the ability should probably try to get more dunks. However, let's not fool ourselves into thinking that they're always the right shot to take.

And I agree that a thread title should be clear. Asking "How come?" in the title is lazy and uninformative. That also bugs me.

 

Dunking is two parts: one part physical and one part mental.

Some guys just don't have the hops (T-Mac) and some guys just don't have the midset (Yao).

Agreed, title of the thread is unimaginative.

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/dunk-o-meter/yearly?tag=pageRow;pageContainer&_1:col_1=4&start_row=101
This is Year to Date

Trevor Ariza 55
Chase Budinger 16
Jared Jeffries 13
Hilton Armstrong 9
Jordan Hill 9
Kevin Martin 7
David Andersen 4
Shane Battier 2
Will Conroy 1
Brian Cook 1
Chuck Hayes 1
Luis Scola 1
Jermaine Taylor 1

 

I could not care less about JJ dunking.

BUT....I become AGITATED when softy, David Andersen doesn't go up strong and dunk. He needs to do that. Once he's consistent around there and can shoot the open jumper, he'll be more valuable to our team.