Welcome to The Passing Game, where we simply take the time to glorify the dimes being thrown all around us.
Here were some great dimes from last night in the NBA.
First up we have the signature Paul Millsap/Al Horford 4-5 pick-and-roll at the free throw line. A great design play for the Hawks first possession which drew out Zaza Pachulia, and with Dirk Nowitzki matched with Thabo Sefolosha, there was no height to challenge Horford on the roll. Still, this only works because of Millsap’s passing ability.
The rookie Karl-Anthony Towns really has it all, including a thread-the-needle zip bounce pass from the top of the circle through three defenders.
This is Raul Neto’s first appearance on the passing game! The Brazilian rookie has a great feel for pushing with the pass. As you can see here, after a Carmelo Anthony airball, Neto gets the outlet and heaves a full court dime to Gordon Hayward ahead of the pack for a dunk. Neto’s eyes were down the floor right away and didn’t even need to take a dribble. I love guards who know how to use the pass in transition.