What Have You Borrowed From NBA Players?

[st0rmb11]

I know all of us that play basketball have tried to emulate countless moves and plays (crossovers, layups, various post moves, etc.)

What moves have you guys incorporated into your game, permanently.

For example, I've probably tried the Michael Jordan switch hands layup countless times in my life, but it's not something that I turn to if I'm driving to the basket.

The one thing I've borrowed that I use by far the most would have to be the Tony Parker floater in the lane, or even up to about 10 feet out. My biggest regret in my basketball career (aside from leaving the college I was playing basketball for), is not listening to my dad and learning a floater when I was a junior in high school. My God, I could have used that shot.

On the other hand, I've learned and routinely used a handful of little ball handling and dribbling tricks that I got from watching clips of Pete Maravich.

Over the past few years, the ball fakes that Rondo does have become moves that I use routinely.

The Jordan reverse lay up is a main stay in my repertoire. (Not saying he was the first to do it, but we all know he had a distinct style of doing it.)
If I ever venture into the post against a smaller guy, I use the Jordan/Kobe fake one way, turn and shoot a turn around the other way.

The Ginobili Euro-step is something I use.

When he was at the peak of his fame, I spent countless hours trying to learn Iverson's crossover, but after getting called for carrying the ball a few times in high school games, I let it go.

It's one thing to see someone do something, spend the afternoon in the yard trying it, then never use it again, other than in H-O-R-S-E. It's another thing to practice something often after seeing, and make it an almost go-to move.

So what are some moves and aspects you guys have "borrowed" or emulated from NBA players?

[The 24th Letter]

Manus "cradle" in traffic where he cuffs the ball like a FB...he doesn't seem to do it any more though....

[BringTheHeat]

Pretty much anything D Wade did.

Unfortunately my shooting form is like his too, so I shoot really flat shots.

Splitting doubles off screens, his half spins, and even his "windmill crossover" if I'm playing against smaller guys.

I also do the Jordan one hand pump fakes, works about 60% of the time lol.

Really been trying to work on my jumper as of late though..might get a video up of my current form

[BallIsLife2]

The James Harden stutter-step. Really useful combined with a hesi-cross.

[StraightBaylien]

The Dirk Leg

[ojandpizza]

I used to use Dirks leg kick a lot when playing in reffed games.. I didn't fade back to the extent he did but I would kick the leg out. This would give me separation and sometimes even fouls because defenders would have to lean into me to properly contest.

[ojandpizza]

Quote: Originally Posted by st0rmb11

For example, I've probably tried the Michael Jordan switch hands layup countless times in my life, but it's not something that I turn to if I'm driving to the basket.

I do this a lot actually probably every time I play.. I don't do it the exact way he did, I don't usually start with the ball in one hand like I'm going to dunk.

But I'll take the ball usually from the left wing and drive to the middle of the lane and take off, I jump off two feet so my jumps are usually high and I get that "hang time"effect.. I'll have the ball in both hands and usually the defender will jump to block my right hand, I'm right handed and driving from the left side towards the middle so it looks as if I'm taking a right hand lay-up.

Once he jumps I'll just hang and slide to his left for the lay-up.. Lots of times I'll try to make this a and-1 play because after he jumps I can dictate the contact.

[return.specialist]

Any unexpected pass or circus shot I've seen Bob Cousy or Pete Maravich do, but specifically Cousy's two handed lay-up. The Kobe spin and fade or the Kobe step back--i've always struggled with getting by my defender off the dribble, but if I can create a little space I'll use the step back and if not I'll go with the spin and fade. I use a hook shot a lot when playing in the post against other players of similar height (5'10") and I dearly want it to be like Kareem's skyhook but my natural motion is so different that I stick with my native body mechanics. The finger roll a la George Gervin or Dr. J. High floaters from Nash and Parker. My approach to contesting shots and rebounding is modeled on Ben Wallace circa 2002-2005.