I’m sure you’ve all seen the lastest gimmick on ESPN. In their infinite wisdom - and I’m sure to the delight of Flip Saunders - they are asking NBA fans to diagram an inbounds play on their website. If you are the winner(?), then the website says “the Wizards will try to use the play during a game.”
Wow, now that is really something - I wonder what genius on the Wizard’s payroll agreed to do this. I’m sure it wasn’t Flipper — but, it was obviously someone who can tell F-lip what to do.
Now, I suppose the key word in that quote is “try” - so, there is no guarantee that the play will even be used. It doesn’t even say they will ”definitely try” or even “try really hard” to use the play.
In other words, don’t count on it.
And, by the way, who gets to decide its the best play — ESPN staff, Flip, maybe even LeBron.
As you may have guessed already, I’m entering the contest. I’ve been pondering my options based on my years of coaching “Shupe basketball” (that’s 5th and 6th graders - in case you didn’t know). Over those four or so years, I used my brilliant basketball mind to outfox many an unsuspecting opposing coach - many of them brilliant in their own minds.
But, after much thought, I decided to expand my horizons, not limit myself to “Shupe Hoops”.
So, I was going to diagram a lob to LeBron — since the rules don’t state that you have to use any of the Wizards players - so, unless Jamison can do something — I’m figuring a Boykins lob to LBJ would be a great choice.
However, I then realized that even with the very slim chance that Mr. Saunders will consider doing this, scheduling conflicts between the Cavs schedule and the Wizards make this option less likely to be picked as a winner.
So, I resorted to Plan B — the old “barking dog” inbounds play. I know that many of you have seen this, it’s been around for many years. However, I don’t think it’s ever been tried in an NBA game. So, why not.
It’s even better if you include some of my favorite players on the Wizards roster.
I must admit, the image of DeShawn Steveson kneeling on all fours barking like a dog makes this play even more appealing to me — and many other Cavs fans.
So, that’s the play I’m submitting to ESPN. We’ll see what happens.
Oh, and in case you’ve never seen this play in action, it’s a beautiful thing. I’ve included one of the many versions in a link below.
Holla (or should I say — Bark baby - just like DeShawn Steveson)
Dad
