It was really effective last season, but did anyone see him use it during the playoffs? I don't think he did. Why? He was getting his defenders to jump in the air, and foul him, quite often last season. Just a little something to discuss while the off-season drags on.......
it's a ball fake, and T-Mac has one of the best in the league. He actually uses his arms to thrust the ball upward above his head instead of just quickly bringing the ball up to his face then back down again. Im not sure why he didn't use it during the playoff's, but he scored around 25+ in everygame, so I don't really care.
He probably was using the pump fake, but it is only noticable if the defender falls for it, maybe the Mavs learned it during film and didn't jump on it.
The more fouls he can put on the the opposition, the better.....but I guess he figured that Dirk and co. weren't going to get whistled for much..
is it "when your opponents dont play defense" or it should be better stated, "when your opponents can't play defense"
exactly...t-mac had his way with everyone the mavs threw at him. there was really no reason to try a pump fake.
I remember Avery "Why don't I just go CrAzY" Johnson specifically tell his team not to go for tmacs first shot attempt. I think tmac tried it a few times and no one budged and he never did it again, I don't think that move willl be as effective in the playoffs as it is in the regular season. It is an amazing move that is suprises me at how effective it is night after night.
Actually I do remember him going for the 3pt pump fake a few times and the defender jumped but not enough to get the foul called so he just passed the ball off. I love that 3pt pump fake. I think that is one of my favorite aspects of his game.
Due to his T-mac's physical gifts and "parking lot" shooting range, one thing that gets overlooked is that Tracy's overall offensive game is incredibly polished. He has the best ball-fake in the league. He can finish with both hands better than anybody in the league. His jab step is a thing of beauty. He's got a tremendous handle, and lethal passing skills. Everyone wants to crown Kobe as an instense workaholic with a single-minded determination to get better. Let me tell you something. You don't just go out and aquire T-mac's skillset by sitting on your ass. I'm sure he's put in an incredible amount of time in the gym, in the weight room, in the film room. It's probably just that T-mac doesn't feel the need to have ESPN the magazine or Sports Illustrated follow him around when he does it.
