Incognito said:
Well, I don't consider the ruminations of a self-admitted Jordan fan(Bat) on how Kobe copied all of Jordan's move to be particularly valid...
Ahahahahaa!! :lol Bat is likely the most objective poster in this thread, and that's saying something, considering that I don't believe myself to be biased at all.
...anyway, I've seen Ray Allen utilize that same move a dozen times on hapless fools on the baseline.
If you insist; fact is, I've never seen any other player besides Jordan utilize such footwork until Kobe did so a few days ago-- and I take note of ALL good players' tendencies and movements. Perhaps you're not understanding that what I'm referring to isn't a mere foot-fake or fake spin-- it's a very specific move which is done in one fluid motion. It isn't the first time Kobe's pilfered Jordan's moves, nor will it be the last.
You know that "lean-back" maneuver that Kobe does sometimes when he's posting up and the defender's forearm is in his back? The one where he holds the ball in triple-threat position and arches his back to get a read on which way the defender's weight is shifted and exactly how much pressure he's applying with the forearm? That's a move Jordan INVENTED-- it was never used prior, and very,
very few players have used it since Jordan (a couple of guys have, since it's the easiest move of MJ's to use/master). Then again, I wouldn't be surprised if you don't even know the move I'm referring to, which goes back to my point, which is that
you are in no position to question me on the finer points of basketball such as this. You're a fan-- you're don't play the game. Nor do you make the same types of observations about the game that a person who PLAYS the game does; that's not an insult, that's just a fact. Same way how if I went to a musical performance with a person who plays in an orchestra, I may be able to make some casual observations, but the musician would be able to see and hear
so much more due to his background. Now, this analogy doesn't hold
to the same extent for sports as it does for, say, music, but it
does carry some weight.
And it's not just this one move that's made me conclude that Kobe's been watching Jordan tapes-- he's been using MJ's specific footwork ALL SEASON, where he hasn't used it in past seasons
at all. I made mention of this in last month's topic as well. Kobe frequently uses the "lead-cross foot forward" and then explodes to the hoop, which is something that Jordan was the master of (and, again, the
only player I've seen use it). This is when your defender is playing you tight and you face him up, and then
slowly move your right foot (for example; it can be done w/either foot) to various spots, appearing as though you're just prodding and getting your balance; you then SLOWLY (this is the key) place it ACROSS the defender's body (to
his right side) and then just
explode off your planted left leg past the defender. Nobody else has EVER done this (that I've seen) besides Jordan and, this season, Kobe.
So I didn't say that he's been copying moves just based on a single move, but rather on the weight of the evidence.
There are several other such moves that I could explain in detail, but it would obviously bore you to tears, and, besides, these things are much better when they're demonstrated in person as opposed to on paper. I use several of these moves myself-- but unlike Kobe, I make no secret of the fact that I'm a Jordan whore who's studied his game.
The thing with Ray, though, is that he also knows how to shoot the ball effectively and with consistency. Unlike the aforementioned players.
No argument there-- I really like Allen's game. He's very smooth and rarely forces the action. He's a very consistent player who plays within himself and picks his spots wisely.
