Dame has improved at finishing at the rim

[Natebishop3]

He had at least three or four drives last night that were truly impressive. At least once I saw him take the contact and still find a way to get the layup. I thought he was fouled a few times with no call, but it seemed like he gave up on trying to draw the foul and focused on making the layup.

He has definitely improved though.

 

[Boise Blazer]

He has made that improvement in one season that most players take 3-4 years to do. Why some people think he has reached his ceiling is beyond me.

 

[Natebishop3]

 

[HailBlazers]

His patience around the rim has improved as well, if you watch Parker he doesn't rush anything and is highly effective because of it.

 

[Natebishop3]

His patience around the rim has improved as well, if you watch Parker he doesn't rush anything and is highly effective because of it.

Patience, and just his ability to take the contact and still put up a good shot. That's the big difference, in my opinion.

 

[blue32]

I noticed that he was doing very well last night finishing. I also saw that he was doing more hesitation 'shimmy-shakin' on his way to the hoop. It seemed to work alot. I wonder if was studying some tape or whatever because its working.

 

[Natebishop3]

I noticed that he was doing very well last night finishing. I also saw that he was doing more hesitation 'shimmy-shakin' on his way to the hoop. It seemed to work alot. I wonder if was studying some tape or whatever because its working.

The guy can get to the rim whenever he wants against the Spurs. They're so worried about him shooting the three, they've completely left the lane open for the drive.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

I noticed that he was doing very well last night finishing. I also saw that he was doing more hesitation 'shimmy-shakin' on his way to the hoop. It seemed to work alot. I wonder if was studying some tape or whatever because its working.

I liked when he jumped Ginobli out of his shoes on one hesitation on the right side around the three point line.

 

[Natebishop3]

[video=youtube;C9EArums9hQ]

The drive at the :55 mark is the one I'm talking about. He gets Splitter on a switch, he goes around him and then drives right into Diaw. It was a beautiful play.

 

[magnifier661]

He had at least three or four drives last night that were truly impressive. At least once I saw him take the contact and still find a way to get the layup. I thought he was fouled a few times with no call, but it seemed like he gave up on trying to draw the foul and focused on making the layup.

He has definitely improved though.

This is why I wanted the series against SAS. They are forcing him to drive to the paint; which trains him to score points in other ways. Regardless if we lose this series or not, this is much needed for Dame to get to that next level! I'm so proud of him!

 

[Natebishop3]

This is why I wanted the series against SAS. They are forcing him to drive to the paint; which trains him to score points in other ways. Regardless if we lose this series or not, this is much needed for Dame to get to that next level! I'm so proud of him!

That little floater looked awesome last night. If he could hit that shot consistently he would be dammed near unguardable.

 

[magnifier661]

That little floater looked awesome last night. If he could hit that shot consistently he would be dammed near unguardable.

Yeah and that herky jerky fake for the pull up 10 footer was sick too!

 

[Boise Blazer]

This is why I wanted the series against SAS. They are forcing him to drive to the paint; which trains him to score points in other ways. Regardless if we lose this series or not, this is much needed for Dame to get to that next level! I'm so proud of him!

And I think many people including myself have said that Tony Parker is EXACTLY who he should look at to model that floater after. So that is good for him to see 5-7 straight games.

 

[Eastoff]

[video=youtube;C9EArums9hQ]

The drive at the :55 mark is the one I'm talking about. He gets Splitter on a switch, he goes around him and then drives right into Diaw. It was a beautiful play.

That is Baynes, not Splitter.

 

[Natebishop3]

That is Baynes, not Splitter.

Eh, you know those big white centers, they all look alike

 

[Eastoff]

Eh, you know those big white centers, they all look alike

Splitter is much more talented than Baynes though. But I think you're right. When Damian can draw the big man on a switch out, he is cleared for posterizing.

 

[Sedatedfork]

This is a great point. I remember his first year, this was a loud criticism of Dame. He can't finish at the rim. In last night's game and in the Houston series, he has shown a ton of improvement in this area.

 

[blue32]

damn some of those drives

 

[Mediocre Man]

He sure looked good at the rim last night.

I say last night because I didn't really notice it during the season

 

[tlongII]

It's only natural that he would improve this area of his game. He has the athleticism and strength to finish at the rim. I believe it has taken him a while because he didn't play against so many big guys in college while at Weber State. He's used to it now.

 

[magnifier661]

It's only natural that he would improve this area of his game. He has the athleticism and strength to finish at the rim. I believe it has taken him a while because he didn't play against so many big guys in college while at Weber State. He's used to it now.

Plus in the playoffs, outside shots aren't as easy. This is forcing him to be a fast learner!

 

[ripcityboy]

It shows he's more confident. Something Lamarcus needs if we are to win this series.

 

[adrenalize74]

If Jerryd Bayless could have improved his finishing at the rim, he would prob still be on the team. He could get there at will, but would either get blocked or brick off the bottom of the rim.

Frustrating

 

[KingSpeed]

The first half of the season, he was really bad but since then, he's been getting better and better. He had an amazing finish in the Game 3 loss against the Rockets. And he drove at will throughout the first three games against the Spurs even though we were losing. His drives were money. It was the outside shooting that was killing him. He finally had both last night.

 

[KingSpeed]

If Jerryd Bayless could have improved his finishing at the rim, he would prob still be on the team. He could get there at will, but would either get blocked or brick off the bottom of the rim.

Frustrating

I remember Bayless finishing great at the rim, either scoring or getting free throws almost every time. Nate just thought ARmon Johnson was a better defender. Incidentally, I remember a post by MM back then that pissed people off. He graded the team, player by player. He said Armon was "promising" and Patty Mills was "doesn't matter." Oops!

 

[SlyPokerDog]

The first half of the season, he was really bad but since then, he's been getting better and better. He had an amazing finish in the Game 3 loss against the Rockets. And he drove at will throughout the first three games against the Spurs even though we were losing. His drives were money. It was the outside shooting that was killing him. He finally had both last night.

Last year he was bad but he worked on it in the off season and has been steadily getting better throughout the season.

 

[PCmor7]

This was my biggest criticism about Damian about midway through the year. I am stunned and very happy with how much progress he's made in this area; honestly, as hard a worker as I think he is, I didn't think it was possible this soon.

If he can get that floater down next year, heaven help the other PGs in the NBA.