Is Detroit Pistons’ Luke Kennard the next Manu Ginobili?
2. Become a Jedi
Obi-Wan Ginobili utilized one of the most devastating pump fakes in NBA history. It was slow, and everyone knew it was coming but it still worked just about every time. He was like a Jedi saying “you will jump in the air now” and they generally obliged, “yes I will jump in the air now.”
Manu got defenders off their feet and then either leaned in and drew a foul or simply blew by them. I still have visions of the faces of defenders as they realized that they’d just been pump-faked out of their shoes and there was nothing they could do about it.
More from Pistons News
- Which Detroit Pistons could save Team USA in the Olympics?
- Detroit Pistons could have major roster churn after 2023-24 season
- The best Detroit Pistons to wear each uniform number
- Full Detroit Pistons NBA 2K24 ratings
- Detroit Pistons: Who will sign the remaining NBA free agents?
Manu’s slow-motion pump fake was like a steak that the dog couldn’t resist. Kennard needs to develop a similar move to make up for the fact that he’s not that fast. He needs to develop a pump fake to draw more fouls and to get defenders in the air so he can drive past them or take a step to the side for an open three.
The pump fake is a way to punish defenders for closing out recklessly, which is something they did against Kennard all last season. Defenders were not worried about Kennard blowing by them, so they closed out hard, often forcing Luke into passing up shots. A pump fake would keep them honest and make defenders hesitate just long enough for Luke to get off a shot.
Space is hard to come by in the NBA. Kennard needs to create more with pump fakes, jab steps and anything else he can do to confuse opponents and keep them off balance.
He needs to be a Jedi.