MyInsatiableOne wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
I like Perkins..unlike Tony, he doesn't bite on EVERY fake. And you see guys bite on the second or third fake much more than the first one...do you watch a lot of basketball?
Bro, but there is a difference between a pump fake on the wing and inside. When you're pump faking outside, the most effective one is the first one off the dribble because a shooter needs to be in rhythm and the offensive player dribbles to a spot before the pump fake. And therefore, a defender usually bites on the first one, just like that one where Ray picked up his 5th foul against Rip's pump fake. The subsequent pump fakes aren't as effective on the wing because a shooter doesn't have the rhythm to get a good shot off, after a 2nd or 3rd one.
OTOH, it's different inside. You see players pump faking 3 or even 4 times because all you need is for the defender to be off time for a sec to get the layup off because you're usually close enough to not need good rhythm to make a shot. And the defender is usually standing still when the fake is given, not chasing a shooter to a spot, as is the case outside.
I understand some people's frustration with TA's lapses, but you can't deny the fact that he's got the athleticism and the track record that shows that he can be a good wing defender. He's shown his ability to play good D, far more often than falling for pump fakes. It's just that playing good D and forcing your man to pass out doesn't stand out in your mind nearly as much as biting on a pump fake to give up free throws.
