Now We All On Our Grizzly

It's been about a week since I've posted on here. It's mostly due to March's Madness, both writing about it and just watching the games. But before I get into the subject of this post, I'd like to spend a brief moment on the latest exertion of Lebron's god-like powers. For those that say, "Oh, it probably took 37,210 takes to make it," don't focus on that. Instead, focus on the fact that from halfcourt—50 feet away and with a little more than an underhanded flick of wrist—he hurled a basketball...swish. Mortals like us put near-maximum force into an attempt from the same distance, complete with full wind-up and follow-through; and may still fall short of the basket. Lebron short-armed his release just in case he overshot it. Amazing. To the real post...

For awhile now, I've been writing about how Basketball is the most individual of all the team sports, and the only one that must be fully played with one's own personality. A player cannot exactly copy another's style. One of the best examples of this in the entire realm is Sam Young's Pump Fake, known in my inner circle as "The Grizzle Fake," after his exclamation of, "In your grizzle..." during a pickup game.

The pump fake, like the in-and-out dribble and jab step, will always have a somewhat good chance of success because it's based on deception. It's a fundamental move that's taught by purists in Midwestern gyms. But because of the uniqueness of the basketball player, Young's fake reigns supreme. Opposing coaches drum into their forwards' heads that its coming. Rick Pitino has even included it in his scouting report. Yet two or three times a game, Sam raises up on his toes and the ball is above his forehead; and defenders lose all principles and go flying.

But I wonder if those so-called purists—the ones that frown on the crossover and place religious solace in the two-handed bounce pass—detest The Grizzle Fake. If so, then this is the disconnect between what they want Basketball to be, and it fundamental nature. Do they despise it the way that the alley-oop was once dismissed as showboating? Is it "too unique" for them? Are they upset that even something so educated as the pump fake can be mixed with a person's being and be made their own? That move can only be a part of Sam's formula on Basketball. Anyone who attempts to xerox that move won't get the desired results. You won't be up on your toes enough, you'll be too quick with the fake, your hand placement won't be exactly like the release on your jumper. Bluntly put, it won't be the same. It'll be just another shot fake that may or may not work depending on your real jumper's success rate. Sam's move is Sam's move from now 'til basketball infinity.


Peace.

When Video Games Come to Life Part III - Rise & Fire

My first two posts about the line between real sports and virtual sports becoming blurred were about teams.  So, if you were wondering why it has been so long since my last entry, it's because I was searching for something...fake as a subject.  By "fake" I mean real life events in which one questions just how far the limits of the pro athlete/franchise/executive/mascot can go.  For example, Magic Johnson's court vision is fake.  Tiger Woods doing anything with the golf club is also fake.  Randy Moss when the football is in the air? That, too, is fake.  However, these things are well known; and here at FU we try to give more publicity to the things that go overlooked by the more mainstream writers.  Today, I will give praise to everyone's new favorite college player:  Stephen Curry.

Stephen Curry is fake.  First off, he looks no older than thirteen.  His Davidson jersey looks like his father, Dell, gave it to him ot wear during lifting weights—and he never made it to the gym.  But, for reasons I can't fathom, he's able to dominate college basketball in a way that hasn't been seen since Pistol Pete.  Yes, and I stand by it.  I'll explain after the random picture...

Curry is the epitome of having no consciense.  If you remember his father, then you can recognize that quick release that Stephen inherited.  It's not that he's a standstill shooter, it's that he only needs to get his defender—or defenders—off balance.  Throw in his guard skills, evident by this year's transition to the point, and he can clear space and break his man down off the dribble.  Because of that, the defense can't key on his jumper as much as they could with Redick and Morrison.  What separates him from past dominant players like Christian Laettner, Glenn Robinson, and Tim Duncan is that he is far from intimidating physically.  For example, when Lebron is attacking the basket, he can match the strength of almost whomever is in the lane.  Stephen Curry doesn't have that luxury.  Every shot he creates is done cerebally, and he can't get away with things based on pure athleticism.  Basketball IQ and the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of angles and space is why he's so effective at his stature.

Another reason why Curry's dominance is almost unprecedented is because he goes to Davidson.  Quick test: name all of the basketball schools in the state of North Carolina.  How long did it take you to get to Davidson?  Six, seven teams?  Anyway, the point is that Davidson isn't exactly a recruiting giant in college basketball; so their talent is nowhere near the powerhouse schools like UCLA and Kansas.  Even Gonzaga looks down on the players that go to Davidson.  Moreover, do you know who Andrew Lovedale is?  What about Bryant Barr?  I doubt you recognize Brendan McKillop, who is the coach's son.  Curry is the number one, two, and three options for the Wildcats, yet he still manages to compile gaudy point totals against high-level competition.  Just ask certain #1 pick in next year's NBA draft Blake Griffin about it.

I stand by my bold statement that Curry, given his disadvantages of size and surrounding team talent, is the most dominant player since Pistol Pete.  Another question: When he releases the ball, do you find yourself saying, "good," before it gets to the rim?  I know I do.  I'm not going to talk about NBA potential.  Let's just enjoy him in the college game and worry about his pro measurables when he's actually in the draft.  And with that said, you would think that the big time schools would've learned their lesson and snapped up the next Curry.  Enter Seth Curry.

You know I had to throw in a highlight mix.  Peace.