Larry Nance Jr. Discussion: Don't Fake The Funk On A Nance Dunk

... Wave them like you just don't care

 

Not a lot unlike 7'2" Roy Hibbert's position when he's 24" off the ground with the referee loving vertical defensive leap and his palms facing downward. That's got to be frightening for a smaller dude coming into the lane trying to put it up at the rim. And then yeah, it was as bad as it looked as they bounce off him to the floor and there's no whistle.

 

Question about that ^^^ But he's in the restricted area it would seem. Do they allow the vertical defensive move in there too?

 

See my post directly above that.

 

I think verticality sti works even in the restricted area.

 

No, in the great SI article I think it was, on Hibbert, or one of the other ones, there were photos of him having been coached to have his palms at the very top of his arms up vertical defensive leap, facing downward like Nance's right palm above is.

 

I know. I thought I explained where my random thought came from. Not to muck up Nance's thread.... just this and then I'm done. Here's the photo and paragraph below it I was remembering, with the link below that, to a great article on how he got to be that way on defense, by Dan Jenkins at SI.


At 290 pounds, Roy Hibbert can use his heft to do battle with the likes of the Kings' Quincy Acy.
Hibbert studied video of opponents, to time their jumps and gauge their releases. "If someone serves up the ball, I'll send it out of there," says Hibbert, who is third in the NBA in blocked shots. "If he tucks it, I'm going straight up every time." He knows Carmelo Anthony will serve it up, which is why he's swatted two of his dunks in the past nine months. He knows LeBron will tuck it away. The Pacers let Hibbert pitch a campsite in the post, covering for him on the perimeter so he can do the same for them at the rim. "Bring your guy to me," Hibbert tells teammates, "and I'll take care of it." He stands with one foot in the paint, bent slightly at the waist, eyeing the man with the ball. As the driver creeps inside, Hibbert shuffles over. They rise in unison, meeting belly to belly, Hibbert unfurling his arms to the rafters. His palms face the floor like suction cups. He's not 7' 2" anymore. He's way bigger.

http://www.si.com/nba/2014/02/12/roy-hibbert-indiana-pacers

 

No, I'm sorry, I was totally talking just about Hibbert. I just happened to flash on Nance with his right palm downward, that reminded me of the Hibbert photo. Nothing to do with Nance. So I shouldn't have even brought it up here. Will go stand in the corner now.

 

I'm not quite sure how to take that.

 

Bump. So many glimpses for me tonight of happiness to come watching the players on this year's squad, before we even get back to a healthy Kobe Bryant. I already hit Brown, Black, Upshaw and Russell tonight and Larry Nance Jr. we're going to love I think as well. This kid too is an athlete, maybe more than any of the rest. Love his hustle, speed and holy crap his off the charts potential to make the highlight reel plays any time he's in the game. Did you see him outrun the guy who had passed him with the ball, come around his right side at full speed and smoothly swipe the ball from him? Not to mention the above the rim plays he made tonight.