Bonner screwed this up. When a pass like that is made that discombobulates the opponent the best thing that you can do is snap another pass no-look at a teammate, throwing the ball right above the defender's head. They'll instinctively duck and that 2nd pass usually winds up in a dunk or wide open jumper. Throwing the ball right above their heads has the same effect as throwing it under their sack. They're spread out arms angled out to the sides. They're just not ready for it. The unnatural movement of moving the forearms down towards the head to catch a snap pass is not a natural movement that is practiced. As you can see here, Wade and Bosh had just been frustrated that the pass had split them, they had kinda pooched up, hands down. And even Cole had faded back. They were all off-guard trying to figure out where they were going to be attacked. If Bonner had snapped that ball back to Manu right over Wade's noggin, it would've been a dunk or wide open jumper.
One benefit of watching countless hours of Magic Johnson, the greatest passer of all-time in the history of the NBA, and Larry Bird, the second greatest passer of his generation, one he shared with Magic, was understanding how defenders react to balls thrown in towards their body and around their head. Magic threw a ton of passes right through defenders. How? He understood reflexes and he understood that defenders weren't looking to block passes right near their bodies, specifically right around the head area. You throw a ball past a guys ear, just slide it by his ear by an inch or two, he can't stop it unless he knows it's coming. He's all spread out, arms splayed out and angling around his body in the angel formation, he can't stop that pass that's thrown past his earhole unless he knows it's coming. And if he knows it's coming, he's got to take a different stance with his arms in front of his head. It's a lot easier to catch a ball that is coming at your head or is going to clear the space between your shoulder and your ear by having your arms and hands in front of your body. Well, when you do that...guess what...makes it a lot easier to throw the ball around you. Magic understood all that at an insane level and he used it to make all his passes. If you want to be a great passer, learn to watch the stance and position of your defender and take advantage of them by throwing the ball where they aren't expecting it. In the above play, Wade and Bosh weren't expecting that bounce pass right between them. The next split second reaction that they and every baller has is they've got to work on that, they can't let another bounce pass be slid right between their feet. So, down go the arms and hands. They are instinctively looking for another low bounce pass because now they're going to be prepared. Perfect opportunity. Snap the pass right past Bosh's ear and right over Wade's head. Manu steps right into it and then Cole is on the hot seat. He either jumps forward and Manu goes right to the rack or he is stunned and doesn't commit and Manu lines up a dart and nails it. Awwww, basketball!
LOL this. I must've missed this thread when it was active, but my first impression was 'what a dumbass pass'. Sure, it got thru, but it looked like 1) he telegraphed it and 2) it was pointless. What did the pass actually accomplish? 0 reward and 100 risk.
This thread is ferrous. Plays like below must have felt like chastity belts on a prom night to the closet Spurs fans suffering from premature ejaculation early on in this thread.... <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NktST_zRtLY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SypCvvBnZLk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> I would post more but youtube has a quota limit on turnover videos for a single player and Manu reached it by Game 6.
Thanks for being so elite Manu. It was definitely much appreciated: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=239871
If you are observant and a quick thinker you can take advantage of angles and body leans, the problem is that the person receiving the ball also needs to be ready to receive it, many times a great pass results in a turnover because while the pass may be spectacular, the guy on the other end may not be looking for it. DD
Anybody know whether it would have been a kick ball if it hit Cole's legs? If that's the case, then Manu can pretty safely throw this without fear of a turnover.
Passes like that when they work make the highlite reels. When they don't, the Spurs loose the championship.
exactly my thoughts. you can't rely on magic passes in a professional league. And during Finals.... you're not playing against Bobcats.
