this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2023
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I just saw a video of Wembanyama dribbling between Bullock Jr.’s legs, and I’m kind of curious as to why a defensive player doesn’t just box out in this situation? It seems like less of a struggle to just turn your body and box out the offensive player, claiming the ball is now loose, and I was wondering if there is some NBA rule prohibiting this.

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[–] keepon18@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Like are you saying Bullock could have turned away from Wemby to shield the ball? It's an option but chances are the defender doesn't have a good position or space to cut off an offensive player going towards them with momentum.

Chances are it'll be called a blocking foul... instead of potentially facing the offensive player and having a chance to steal the ball.

[–] LukeWendell@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Okay, that makes sense. I was thinking that a player could argue that the ball is now loose since it’s not in the vicinity or control of an offensive player and could play it like a loose ball.

I wasn’t thinking much of a blocking foul because I figured the ball would be considered an out of control ball, much like how an over the back foul is called when an offensive player tries to jump over a boxing out defender after a shot or a loose ball

[–] keepon18@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Chances are the ref would deem it in control of the offensive player but it's subjective, especially if the offensive player is out of control. My perspective is that it'd be better for the defensive player to be facing the offensive player just so they can better react, like with poking the ball loose or even being able to take the charge.

I think what you're describing is much more likely to happen closer to a defensive rebound / semi-transition break but it's such a fast bang-bang kinda play.

[–] LukeWendell@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Yep, I was thinking one of those pickup situations, where they are really just nutmegging the opponent in transition for the flashy aspect, and I was just thinking moreso of the defender pivoting and forcing the offensive player on a different route. After all, I figure a defensive player would be given at least a little leeway to at least turn and run towards the ball.

Like if Trevor Ariza had pivoted on his left leg, swinging his right towards the ball, and making a beeline trying to force Trae young to either A) let the ball, or B) have to initiate contact; instead of shoulder checking in this play

Obviously it probably wouldn’t have worked that well, and in this play Ariza isn’t given much time to react, so I’m giving this as more of a visual to build the idea off of

[–] BruinBound22@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Interesting question. Not sure I've seen it happen but if you occupy the space quick enough I think it should be legal

[–] nikop@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You can't just impede someone's movement or it's a foul. You either have to stay planted or stay with the player by moving your feet. You can't do both like a lineman in football.

[–] LukeWendell@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah, I’m sorry that I wasn’t super clear. I didn’t mean turn and try boxing them out/stopping them in their tracks, I meant more so in a box out/loose ball kind of situation. Where you use a pivot to shift into the lane they want to occupy forcing them outside of their path towards the ball, allowing you the best lane.

Much like when you use your arm or side to “box-out” a player when you’re going for a ball going out of bounds, where you are just forcing them to take a less ideal lane

[–] koenigsaurus@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

What you’re describing is a blocking foul. A defender cannot possibly swing around quick enough to beat the ball handler to the spot to be in a legal position, and so it would be illegal contact impeding the ball handler.

[–] BBQMane@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I don't think it's any different than an offensive player demonstrating control of the ball with a long "Shammgod" and pulling it back. Gonna get called as a foul impeding the offensive player unless the ball is truly"loose" but realistically the reaction time to box out in that scenario is what makes it unlikely.

[–] GenoThyme@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

No one’s gonna react that fast so it’s not really an issue. If they could react that fast, they wouldn’t have let themselves get clowned by having it go between their legs in the first place.

[–] LukeWendell@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

It’s pretty unlikely, but NBA players have a wicked fast reaction speed, and it’s not like it comes out of nowhere. It especially wouldn’t be as tough in a situation where it’s a one-on-one and you both have the same opportunity to build momentum, but yeah, it’s probably not a move you’re able t react to quick enough on a fast-break.

[–] nikerock@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You've never been nutmegged and it shows.

[–] LukeWendell@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Your day been so bad that now you’re just trolling on Reddit? Tough. Good luck with what’s going on and I genuinely hope that your life gets better man. On a real note though;

Yes, I have played basketball, I mainly do pickup after graduating HS, because A)I’m really not good enough to try to either make it a career or even do the 2-3x a day workouts required by most college athletics, and B)It’s a lot more enjoyable to play basketball for fun, so if some dude posters on me, or calls a foul on how I’ve played, I’m just able to laugh it off knowing that at the end of the day, we’re both going to be sore asf and feel that we’re the best player in the world.

I have been nutmegged, multiple times, and that’s actually where the idea comes from. After it happened 2-3 times I realized that it was because my legs were too far apart, so I would start playing a ‘bait’ style where they’re even further, but at an angle so I’m in more of a position to get the ball. I have never done so in a college/professional situation, (b/c I suck) so the refs I would use it with never got paid enough to actually read the rule book.

So I was asking more so If it’s legal, since I know parts of it are possible.

Sorry your day sucked and now you’re trying to passively-aggressively take it out on strangers on the internet. Hope you have a better one tomorrow.

[–] nikerock@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Lmao you sure I'm the one whose day is going bad? You wrote a book based on one comment. Guess I hit a nerve.

Bro's never been nutmegged before and it shows even more now.

[–] KungFuJoe23@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I can tell from that long story he wrote that he’s never played ball before.

Big “bags of sand” vibe he’s putting out. lol

[–] whosgotsabs@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Man has been megged so many times recently that he had to develop a strategy to defend against it lmao. You should leave him alone, I can’t imagine the embarrassment.

[–] A_Throway@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Bro wrote a one sentence joke lmao. It seems like you’re projecting a ton lol that’s such a wild reaction to a simple joke

[–] Taidaishar@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I’d say it’s more about reaction time. They’re already a step ahead.

[–] electricHats75@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Blocking foul

[–] TmacHizzy@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Pj Tucker does that

[–] UnsuspectingS1ut@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Is he stupid?

[–] ShopCartRicky@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Honestly, just kick the ball with your heel in that situation. Just resets play. Jokic does it intentionally all the time to get himself off islands.

You can for sure. The reason it’s hard to do is because you only get nutmegged when you have a wide stance. The wider your feet are, the harder it is to actually turn around fast. It’s why nutmegs always seem to work in the NBA. If Wemby was slower, Bullock could have gotten there, but slow players rarely attempt that move.

No you can’t actually you’ve waited to long and the balls gone between your legs.