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Slow motion view of Max Christie's amazing footwork defending Donovan Mitchell on a crucial late game possession. (streamable.com)

submitted 11 months ago by MrAppleSpoink@alien.top to c/nba@nba.space

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[–] sewsgup@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago (2 children)

is it better to bounce off each leg (right-to-left; vice versa) in single step bursts like Max does at the start?

noticed he opts for that over sliding his feet over laterally whenever Donovan tries a cross

[–] Aurum_MrBangs@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

as the other guy said, Donovan never went in one direction for long enough for Max to have to slide. He did kinda do it towards the end and Max slid his feet once before completely turning his hips to run with him. Like the burst step is for recovery cause while flipping the hips takes time so you have to catch up.

Maybe if Max were a smaller defender with smaller and faster steps he would have slid more before flipping his hips with a following big step to recover.

[–] Life_Ad_9518@alien.top 1 points 11 months ago

Offensive players want to attack the defender’s high foot, making them switch their hips - which takes time to do and gives the offensive player a step while the defender is opening their hips to then slide. Max is flipping his hips as Mitchel is trying to gain an advantage - this clip is less about sliding vs stepping, and more about the ability to flip your hips to negate an advantage . Most nba players might be able to flip their hips once but after that they’ll get beat by another change of direction - it’s impressive that Max was able to flip his hips at every change of direction.

Sliding is a bit outdated though; it’s unnatural, you’ll get to any stop faster by stepping sideways.