The Mavs Spurs game last night was another great game. Neither team is seemingly ever out of the game. The reason is simple. Each team has a player that is pure greatness. Watching Dirk is of course amazing. He does thing no other 7 footer can, and often punctuates possessions with a jumper that is so smooth that as the ball falls through the cords, you immediately think of Wesley Snipes line from White Men Can't Jump: "Pretty, so Pretty"
Tim Duncan may not be quite as silky when it comes to shooting his jumper, but he has certainly earned "The Big Fundamental" nickname. This isnt a guy who gets tons of screens, or who comes off a pick and rolls for most of his points. This isnt a guy who amazes you with quickness or leaping ability. Tim Duncan is a player who more often than not is going 1 on 1 with a defender and knows exactly what angles to take to get the best shot and what angles to use in his shots. If any kid doesnt think geometry applies to basketball, watch Tim Duncan. Tim is the master of precision in angles and motion.
I would be lying if I didnt say that players and coaches in the Mavs organization don't try to learn from Tim. We do. Every year he, like Dirk, adds something to his game that gives him an edge. Its what all the great ones do. Work hard to do what they do better, and to add something new each year.
I truly am a Duncan fan, any real NBA fan is. But, Im obviously a Mavs fan first and last and I can't stand the Spurs. Judging by the Spurs fans reaction to me after the game last night, they aren't big Mark Cuban or Dallas Mavericks fans either. I like that. Makes for great Rivalries.
So in the interest of helping future NBA players out there, and in maybe helping other teams possibly figure out TD just a little bit, I decided to post a video of the new move that Tim added last year, and has improved on this year. I call it the Duncan Chop. Its perfectly legal, which makes it postiively brilliant.. Its something every post player should add to their game.
Simply put, as Duncan turns over his left shoulder towards the basket, he "chops" away the defenders arm. It sometimes throws the defender off balance a little. It sometimes misdirects the defenders attention. Its subtle enough to give TD an edge. All in all its a great, great move. We all should learn from it. Here is a video of TD tearing us up with it last year.
Learning from Tim Duncan
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(Page 1)3. Glad to see you giving props to Tim. I watched him 'grow up' in the ACC without the accolades of his peers. He's fun to watch.
Posted at 10:49AM on Nov 25th 2006 by keithparnell.com
4. Too bad Youtube video quality sucks! I thought you were the owner of HDNet!? Lets see a better version. :) I'll look for the move the next time I see the Spurs play.
Posted at 10:59AM on Nov 25th 2006 by Colin D. Devroe
5. I was watching Pat Riley interview Kareem Abdul Jabbar on either one of ESPN channels or NBA TV and they were talking about the Sky Hook, and why no one now in the NBA consistently uses it. I would not be surprised if Tim Duncan adds that move into his repertoire as he gets older and needs to be more creative as a player. I too am not a Spurs fan, but you have to respect a guy like Duncan as an NBA fan!
Posted at 11:03AM on Nov 25th 2006 by Andrew Beckman
6. that move reminds me of Beavis' dancing.
Posted at 11:10AM on Nov 25th 2006 by saM FFL
7. For some reason I dont think Dirk gets all the credit he deserves. He is as good as the best PF in the League and is much more fun to watch. Many Guards would love to have his jumpshot skills and accuracy. Overrated Garnett is not even close when it comes to crunch time but still I think he is more popular in the media.
Posted at 11:14AM on Nov 25th 2006 by Rafael
9. yes, very subtle. so subtle i can still hear your whining.
Posted at 11:58AM on Nov 25th 2006 by Turko
12. Actually that move is as old as the hills. I do like the way Mr. Cuban is taking lessons learned from Phil Jackson on how to work the officials through outside media.
Good luck with that.
Posted at 12:17PM on Nov 25th 2006 by Soapy Smith
14. I hope the mavs make it to the finals again. The only complaint that I have with the Mavs is that they are not an aggresive basketball team. The Spurs are not either. It's a wonder that either teams are able to put as many points on the board as both teams do. If you go back to the championship game you will notice in my opinion that the Mavs really didnt go after Wade the way they should. They need to put presure on the shooter on the outside and be very aggressive with the opposing centers. They seem to just give points away sometimes. The Mavs are my favorite team in the league but I would like to see a more aggressive defense...a presure defense. I'm glad Dallas has good shooters.
Posted at 4:55PM on Nov 25th 2006 by dstewartx
15. For some reason I sense a bit more sarcasm in Mark's blog than others might be picking up on. Regardless, I can't stand the spurs (and they can't stand the Mavs nation) so as long as there is a "W" at the end of the night for the Mavs I don't care how we got there. Great game!
Posted at 6:13PM on Nov 25th 2006 by Jay
16. LMAO, for all of you n00bs that didn't pick it up, he's being sarcastic. That Duncan "chop" is ILLEGAL !!, that should be an offensive foul each and every time. It's like devin driving to the hoop and pushing parker with his left arm so he'll have a free lane. Of course he's Duncan and gets away with it...
Mark: Send those clips to the NBA and have them explain to you how's that not an offensive foul. Maybe they'll see you're right and can/could start calling it like the "shaq's-elbow-to-his-defender's-face" move that he's getting called for now everytime he does it, and used to get away with all the time.
Posted at 9:09PM on Nov 25th 2006 by Alex
17. Hello Mark,
congratulations, this is by far a much more effective, (and less expensive) way to express your frustrations with poor officiating. I see that your bill to date is a whopping 1.65 million. Ouch!!
Ever thought about taking a yoga or Pilates class?
By the way, I caught your interview with Michael Eisner. You were charming!!!
Posted at 11:37PM on Nov 25th 2006 by Toni Marano
18. Oh no! I am afraid Mark Cuban has forgotten that Stern is ordering all NBA content off Youtube! An honest mistake, I am sure.
Posted at 12:28AM on Nov 26th 2006 by Nathan
19. Mr. Cuban:
I know or "invented" a basketball move that will DEFIINTELY change/revolutionize basketball: although very simple, no one has EVER used it and it's PERFECTLY LEGAL (no traveling call or anything)! It's a guaranteed 2 points or at least 2 free throws.
I haven't shared my idea with anyone yet. Let me know if you're interested.
Thanks.
Posted at 1:31AM on Nov 26th 2006 by Ziad Joseph Fadel
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1. Though I'm from San Antonio, I'm a Mavericks fan first. I have been for a while now but you to have to give other players their props... especially when they're good like Tim.
Posted at 9:38AM on Nov 25th 2006 by Rebeccalee Coventry