This simple trick can make a huge difference.
This time of the year, the whole basketball community of the Philippines is glued on the NBA Playoffs. Many probably placed bets and tried their luck with the odds. Thousands of trash talks probably ensued in group chats. A bunch of Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers slanders were thrown in a state of civil war among Filipino trolls.
But there are also lessons to be learned here. The first is Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat should never be taken lightly, ever. And that athleticism is not the be-all and and-all of basketball as Nikola Jokic has proven that he is the best player on Earth right now.
Then there's the simple tricks to the game that could be applied up to the barangay levels.
Case in point is NLEX Road Warriors manager Larry Fonacier's tip.
The seven-time PBA champion gave a simple breakdown of one play in Game 7 between the Heat and Boston Celtics.
"Hopping makes you 'spring' faster. Defense or offense. Balls of our feet bounces create a headstart versus a flat-footed defender," the 2011 PBA Philippine Cup Finals MVP said in an Instagram story.
Fonacier was talking about Duncan Robinson's move against Al Horford. The Heat forward was seen bouncing on the left wing, then blew by the 36-year-old big man before receiving the ball from Kyle Lowry for the easy layup.
Here's what it looks like in real time:
This might be just a "simple" habit, but it's effective at the highest level of basketball.
(GM)