Getting the chance to see the two potential UK recruits (Jai Lucas and Patrick Patterson) on tv was the main reason I chose to watch a game known for players showing off (their lack of fundamentals for the most part) and for playing parting of the Red Sea defense.
However, I saw one player that really impressed me. Kevin Love.
It's not as if being the nephew of Mike Love of the Beach Boys is cool enough this guy also happens to play basketball like Bill Walton circa 1973. The 6'10 Love from Oregon was constantly ripping the ball off the glass and slingin' outlet passes the length of the court to his teammates.
The outlet pass is an underutilized weapon in basketball today and a thing of beauty. When done correctly there is no more effective way to get 2 points. It would be the equivalent of a football quarterback being allowed to snap the ball while the defense is walking up to the line. It completely takes the opponent off guard and is almost impossible to consistently defend against. It takes players a second to switch over from offensive to defensive mindset and to rip off a rebound and throw it to a teammate streaking down the court before the defense has time to react is almost an automatic 2 points if the guy throwing the ball is accurate.
Love is very accurate.
Love also has many, many more outstanding qualities as a basketball player other than the ability to throw killer outlet passes. The kid is a future star. Plus, he has a an abstract concept for a last name. His game, however, is a lot less open to debate.
2 comments:
Love was a beast!
Agreed.
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