Blackjack
01-13-2010, 02:45 AM
The Devil and On-the-ball Defense (http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2010/01/12/the-devil-and-on-the-ball-defense/#more-5906)
by Graydon Gordian
“La plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu’il n’existe pas.” -Baudelaire
Kobe Bryant’s early exit and Pau Gasol’s overall absence dampens the enthusiasm that would normally follow a 20 point win by the Spurs over the Lakers. But even before back spasms made Bryant a non-factor, a 23-year-old second year point guard from Indianapolis, Indiana was doing his damnedest to make sure the reigning NBA Finals MVP didn’t impose his will on the game.
Bryant’s pre-spasm line was impressive: 7-10 from the field, 16 points. But I’ve never been threatened by Bryant the scorer. It’s Bryant the facilitator, perched above his orchestra, baton in hand, conducting the triangle with symphonic perfection- that is the most venomous species of Mamba.
It’s hard to recognize good defense against Bryant when you see it. That’s because defending Bryant is not about denial; it is about encouragement. Defending Bryant requires the same Mephistophelean attitude he himself has adopted. You must be the devil on his shoulder, pushing him over so gently towards the selfish decision. You must feed his urge to score.
And, in all likelihood, Bryant will do just that. He will strut and smile, believing he has outdone you. But, as Baudelaire said, you will have performed your finest trick. You will have convinced him you don’t exist. That was once the genius of Bruce Bowen and, this evening, that was the genius of George Hill.
Then again, there was that one play where George Hill stole the ball from Bryant at half court and slammed it home on an open rim. That had none of the subtlety of French Symbolist poetry. No interpretation required.
by Graydon Gordian
“La plus belle des ruses du diable est de vous persuader qu’il n’existe pas.” -Baudelaire
Kobe Bryant’s early exit and Pau Gasol’s overall absence dampens the enthusiasm that would normally follow a 20 point win by the Spurs over the Lakers. But even before back spasms made Bryant a non-factor, a 23-year-old second year point guard from Indianapolis, Indiana was doing his damnedest to make sure the reigning NBA Finals MVP didn’t impose his will on the game.
Bryant’s pre-spasm line was impressive: 7-10 from the field, 16 points. But I’ve never been threatened by Bryant the scorer. It’s Bryant the facilitator, perched above his orchestra, baton in hand, conducting the triangle with symphonic perfection- that is the most venomous species of Mamba.
It’s hard to recognize good defense against Bryant when you see it. That’s because defending Bryant is not about denial; it is about encouragement. Defending Bryant requires the same Mephistophelean attitude he himself has adopted. You must be the devil on his shoulder, pushing him over so gently towards the selfish decision. You must feed his urge to score.
And, in all likelihood, Bryant will do just that. He will strut and smile, believing he has outdone you. But, as Baudelaire said, you will have performed your finest trick. You will have convinced him you don’t exist. That was once the genius of Bruce Bowen and, this evening, that was the genius of George Hill.
Then again, there was that one play where George Hill stole the ball from Bryant at half court and slammed it home on an open rim. That had none of the subtlety of French Symbolist poetry. No interpretation required.