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Posted

In the grand scheme of things, the opening tip is probably not a hugely important event.  As someone once said, losing the tip is akin to deferring to the second half in a football game when you win the coin flip.

 

Nevertheless, it seems a constant source of annoyance that we have players with evidently serviceable vertical leaping ability but don't ever seem to win the opening tip.  (Thank GAWD they don't tip after every made basket like they did in the old days.)

 

FWIW (and that ain't much) Dr. Norm has a diagnosis.

 

Ask yourself (or do a little experiment if you must) whether you can jump higher flat-footed or with a one-step take-off.  I know I can jump higher (or used to be able to back when I could still jump) with one step than from a standing, two-foot take-off with no steps.

 

Now, watch Walt jump center against Iowa.  Does he go up from a standing two-foot take-off?  Or does he step into it, even with his off foot?

 

Last home game, I watched, and I think he goes up with a standing, two-foot jump.  He doesn't step into it.  And he didn't get the tip.

Posted

Speaking of jumping center, for Sunday I would start Moses, and just have him go up and bludgeon the living crap out of Adam Pokeberry.  Then take him out to great applause. 

 

HB, I like how you incorporated my new name for Adam.... Pokeberry. :D

Posted

Statistically, the opening tip in basketball is actually more important than who wins the coin toss in football. In basketball, the team who wins the opening tip will on average get 0.5 more prossessions per game. In football, the expectation is equal.

Posted

My thoughts on a jump ball have always been, it's not who can jump the highest, it's who jumps the quickest. The official will rarely toss the ball as high as anyone can jump, so it doesn't matter how high you can jump. It's who can jump the quickest to get to the ball.

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