The Crack on the Stone

We all hate the shot blockers protecting the rim, they’re those that turn our potential poster moments to their personal block party. They will always be the last man to beat on the defensive end altering your sweet looking shot attempt for a high percentage field goal. Manning the middle serving as the anchor on the defense is how we see them, that big bad man with a wide wingspan responsible for imposing on every wingman’s mind that scoring is never that easy. Hell yeah! But as they say, “there are a million ways on how to kill a cat,” which is very applicable even to those fearsome and perceived impenetrable shot blockers in the NBA. I ain’t got time to give you 1 million moves to beat Serge Ibaka, Birdman Andersen, Mt. Mutombo, and KG which is why I’ll have to narrow it down to 1. One move to get past these feisty defenders?! Yes, my friend and it’s not to wait until he’s bedridden – that’s silly. Well, in this edition or should I say in this only edition I’m dedicating it to the little man: point guards and shooting guards. 

Now boys take note. Never attack like you’re on a one-on-one situation unless if you have ups like MJ or Vince Carter. Well, if that’s the case you can take your exit now because this so high school for you. Remember, always play as team player. Get your team mates involved, if they have a better shot than yours, don’t be a schmuck, pass the ball, a lay-up or a dunk no matter how emphatic it is will only count as 2 points. It is important to use screens, curls, and more importantly, make yourself comfortable with the old but gold pick and roll. Google it! 

Now, to your most awaited part. What I’m about to teach is you how to beat a big man if the defense switched assignments momentarily or, as rampant nowadays, cross matched. 

1. Make a quick move be it a crossover or any hesitation move like the jab step to get him out balanced. If he loses his ankle and falls to the floor, cheers buddy, but if not, attack him on the side where he has to double time on getting back to protect your driving lane.

2. I assume you’re on your way to the shaded area now while he is at your tail ready for some nasty chase down. Once you’re close to the rim, step on the gas a little bit more to allow you to get a step ahead making him think that you’re up for a blow by. 

3. And lastly, fake it like you mean it. It’s every shot blocker’s weak spot – they fall for the fake. I say again, they fall for the fake. Once he’s up in the mid-air jerkily reacting how he got fooled and in the middle of nowhere, I suggest you avoid that “everything but the basket” to be on the Sportscenter and not on Shaqtin’ a Fool.

Here’s how they do it:

That's a young Steph Curry showing his moves on the Birdman.

Another one, this time, in the Finals.

 

 Ah... Just listen to Mark Jackson on this.

Lastly, Knee Wade... yah I mean that.

Enjoy while it last. That's the flash before a cold series against the Spurs.

Okay, I guess you boys are ready. Bear in mind that to become a successful scorer you need to be unpredictable in your approach. Practice those J's, post them up, move without the ball, and fake some shots. Open those eyes for possible shooters or cutters while you're driving and if that time comes, send that big fella to school now that you know the crack on the stone.

Same spot, not the same result

ICYMI, Vince Carter sinks a shot against the Spurs that  he once took 13 playoffs before. Yeah that's right, it leads us back to the 2001 Eastern conference semi-finals against the Sixers. A pass from a former Raptor, Jose Calderon, just makes it much sweeter for redemption for the man who Canadians call as 'Air Canada.' I saw this clip on 'The Starters' and I'm glad to see VC was able to convert a very identical shot in which he missed on a do or die game during his prime.

Vince Carter may have been not the same man we used to watch but it's really exciting to see someone redeem himself all thanks for a pass right on the money and some pump fakes to create just enough space for the needed shot.

Hey, I was once a Carter fanatic until he had some issues with the management of Toronto Raptors and left. This shot really makes me look back at some of his highlights while he was still the best 'wing' man of the league. I also once thought "what if he made that shot against the Sixers?"

Ricky Vision, not a 20/20

We all thought that Ricky Rubio, since his first preseason game, would be the next big thing. We're talking like a young Jason Kidd or the next John Stockton. I mean, let's be honest, the guy has some resemblance.

Even after suffering an injury on his knee, we still saw glimpse of this guy's play making ability. Watching him making a living on floor spacing, dishing out fancy passes to hype up the energy, no look passes here and there, and his bounce passes are sick men. Just the way he sets up his teammates for easy basket is what separates him from most of the guards.

Judging Rubio by his impact on the floor makes him a worthy contender to be inserted for the best point guard in the league talk.

A true and classic point guard which has a pass first mentality with the capability to convert himself into a scorer or a shooter when the need arises is a mark we all have witnessed from great PG's. Rubio has them all, however, there's one big aspect of his game that is a remarkable letdown. Defense. I saw it this season against Chris Paul and recently against Tony Parker on a disappointing road loss at San Antonio. The unwillingness to fight over the screens, the reluctance to get it physical, and above all, his poor decisions in a one-on-one situation which makes him, in my honest opinion, the soft spot of the T'Wolves during clutch times especially on guarding scoring guards.  But he is not a bad defensive player at all. Talk about off-ball defending, reading the passing lanes, or crafty pick-pocketing, this kid's got it.

  

There were great guards who have come before Ricky who were also paired to great bigs, played great in pick and rolls, shined on an up-tempo game, and were highly praised by not just analysts and fans. John Stockton and Gary Payton for example, the former never won a ring and the latter won one but no longer on his prime but at least they have proven their 'A' game in the strongest era of basketball - 90's. And the aforementioned guard, Jason Kidd, though no longer on a jersey but on a suite, showed how sneaky he STILL is for spilling that soda to get the timeout they need. All these three gentlemen are in the circle of top 10 in assists - all time, and top 5 in steals - all time. And Payton, whose also called "The Gloves", was the only Point Guard in the history of the NBA to ever win an award of Defensive Player of the Year proving even guards can be an anchor in the defensive standpoint.

 We all might remember that one international point guard sensation was playing same direction like Ricky Rubio's. The one that was paired with a powerful 4, surrounded by legit role players, and was the one in charged to lead his team running and gunning. We all know what happened to that Canadian who could score and could allow his teammates to score easily thanks to his play making skills as he now hopes to win his first ring playing alongside an ailing Superstar there at Staples.

That former Phoenix Suns star guard couldn't play defense, too.

One thing's for sure in this point in time; despite the sharpness of those Spanish eyes looking for holes to thread a pass, Ricky Vision has yet to see the importance of a guard who plays defense.

Team RP to aspire at FIBA ASIA 2013

Two days to go, Filipino basketball fans are sure excited as the players of the team Gilas Pilipinas to test the waters of Asian hoops. I, personally can't wait for another two nights of sleep for FIBA ASIA to kick off, it's leaving me restless. The tournament will start at August 1 and is pegged to culminate at the 11th, with the bracket ready, Lebanon suspended, and the RP basketball squad in good shape, I think our guys are destined to bring home the bacon this time.

Saw their tune-up bout about against Kazakhstan with obviously taller players; Gilas Pilipinas showed how Filipinos would fight despite being vertically challenged. Half the size, twice the heart. The equation our athletes have always shown. 

As the opening of the tournament draws close, however, two of the vital piece of the puzzle is still recovering from the aftermath of that bloody tune-up match, versatile forward Ranidel de Ocampo and spitfire guard Jayson Castro respectively. An update on their status here.

Catch the Gilas Pilipinas on their/our rise to the top of the Asian basketball supremacy on the following schedules:

FIBA Asia Championship – First Round

Philippines versus Saudi Arabia
– August 1, 2013 – SM Mall of Asia Arena
– 8:15 p.m. LIVE ON TV5
– Replay on HYPER: August 2, 12 noon

Philippines versus Jordan
– August 2, 2013 – SM Mall of Asia Arena
– 8:15 p.m. LIVE ON TV5
– Replay on HYPER: August 3, 10 a.m.

Philippines versus Chinese Taipei
– August 3, 2013 – SM Mall of Asia Arena
– 8:15 p.m. LIVE ON TV5
– Replay on HYPER: August 4, 10 a.m.

Let's show the patriotism during these dates. Laban Pilipinas!