We’re fortunate to see the NBA’s best talent on display this week at Team USA minicamp in Las Vegas. The other day I spotlighted a short reel of Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, and Kevin Durant doing mid-post work with USA assistant coach Monty Williams. This time it’s reigning MVP Stephen Curry and more from Durant.
It’s not often when @StephenCurry30 misses a shot in drills at @usabasketball. pic.twitter.com/yn7zGtMlSt
— Hoopmixtape.com (@Hoopmixtape) August 12, 2015
Realistically, Monty Williams doesn’t have a shot against these guys, everyone knows that, but he’s physical with the players and is sharp enough to make them have to use their two dribbles productively to get their shots off.
Steph is still in full sauce mode. This series was ridiculous. The key word is separation. On every one of his dribble moves — the behind-the-back, the step-back into the three, and even when he puts it between Monty Williams’ legs, all show Curry covering so much ground with the dribble to create space for his shot.
Here is @KDTrey5 looking back to his usual self at @usabasketball practice. pic.twitter.com/9KSKua3Wuu
— Hoopmixtape.com (@Hoopmixtape) August 12, 2015
Kevin Durant is a complete freak of nature when it comes to scoring. His first look was a wide left-to-right crossover into his shot. The second was his one-footed fallaway leaner right out of the triple threat. Then he went back to the basket on the left block, took a set up dribble, spun to the base line, pump faked, and hit a shot over the top.
The last move is where things got real freaky. Durant went left to right crossover again, but notice that he pulled back into his shot by putting the ball under his right leg without a dribble. It’s not something you see too often and could be a new trick added to Durant’s arsenal.
That’s what is great to watch from these offensive drills. We get to see what guys have been working on including a wide range of powerful scoring skill sets. Monty Williams was their practice dummy this week.
