Old Man Moves

Former NBA player Eddie Johnson is a big fan of Danny Granger’s game. Johnson, blogging for HoopsHype.com, praised Granger’s ability to score the ball while playing below the rim. Here’s an excerpt from Johnson’s blog:

Granger is a very good athlete, but someone has gotten in his ear and convinced Granger that playing below the rim will give him a tremendous advantage and save wear and tear on his body while still putting up huge numbers. I watched him a few weeks ago against the Suns and marveled at how he easily scored using a method we called back in the day Old Man Moves.

(Definition: Old Man Moves means a player who is mentally tough and has a smorgasbord of shots that keeps the defense wondering and off balance. He plays below the rim. He takes what the defense gives him. He plays with a level head. He does not waste energy with his dribble. He uses his teammates to get open. He uses a variety of shots to score. He takes big shots and makes them in the fourth quarter. He gets to the free throw line to maintain consistent confidence and he comes to score every night and is relentless).

Granger definitely plays with an old-school flair. But for my money, no two players in the NBA today personify old man moves like Paul Pierce and Tim Duncan.

Both Duncan and Pierce play below the rim.

Despite a relative lack of quickness, Pierce manages to get into lane and earn trips to the charity stripe by keeping his opponents off-balance. The Truth hits defenders with jab steps and pump fakes designed to create enough space to release his jumper and/or create open paths to the basket. Pierce can shoot on the move, off the catch, and in the post. He utilizes every trick in the book.

Duncan has played an old man’s game since his rookie season. Duncan has an endless repertoire of spins, drop steps, jump hooks, and bank shots from improbable angles. The best power forward in the NBA has registered 15 dunks this season. Duncan is the definition of old man defense as well. He rarely skies high to challenge shots or grab boards. Duncan is a master at protecting the paint and controlling the glass by establishing perfect position.

Pierce and Duncan are as fundamentally sound as can be. Their footwork is extraordinary. And their attention to detail will ensure that they remain among the league’s elite for years to come.