A move that Brunson often uses to finish off of a drive or post up is the back pivot. This is when he comes to a stride stop (1-2 stop) and a player is on his inside hip and he performs a forward pivot off of his back foot. The back pivot helps create space to be able to finish or shoot. This is a simple yet extremely effective move when used in the right situation and a player is on balance. This is a move that all players can and should incorporate into their game. Check out how Jalen Brunson incorporates it into his game below.
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When Brunson is cut off on a drive or recognizes that he has a smaller defender he will turn his drive into a post up. This is often called a Barkley move because it was made famous by the legendary Charles Barkley. Once in the post up Brunson can use his size to finish over smaller players and his footwork and fakes to create an advantage. Not only does Brunson score out of a post up, but it provides a great opportunity to pass out of it and find open teammates. In the post up many help defenders turn their heads or dig into the post and this is an ample time to cut to the basket or relocate and Brunson is easily able to find open teammates. Check out Brunson’s dribble into a post up below. The shot fake is a fundamental that isn’t used by enough players. Brunson’s ability to shoot the ball makes his shot fake even more deadly. He makes his shot fake look just like his regular shot from the pick up to the shot pocket. His shot fake form is textbook with his eyes on the rim on the catch and hips lower as he bring the ball to the shot pocket. After the shot fake and into his drive he loops or circles the ball into a low sweep. This gives him rhythm/momentum into the drive and gets him low into his drive (chest to floor). Below you can check out Brunson’s textbook shot fake. Brunson’s ability to shoot the three forces defenders to play tight to him and gets into his pull up off of shot fakes, dribble moves and hesitations. He is not the greatest athlete on the floor and knows his strengths, so he doesn’t always go up against bigger defenders but instead pulls up for the mid range shot. What separates his pull up from others is his footwork. It is the same every single time he pulls up with his inside foot hitting the floor first and his outside foot second. His feet are quick to the floor which allows him to quickly get up into his shot. Another area you will notice is how balanced he his. On many pull ups players tend to lean one way or the other or are falling forward or fading back, but Brunson’s footwork keeps him balanced. Below you can see how consistent and quickly he is able to get into his pull up. |
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July 2018
CategoriesCole Schreiner
Northland College Assistant Alex Dodge
Eleva-Strum High School (WI) |