Love Tatum, clearly playing at peak of his powers. But I want to ask — I’m genuinely curious — about those “forearm shivers” against Hield. I’ve seen Tatum, SGA, and Doncic use that off arm a lot this year. Sometimes passively (Doncic is great at that) but sometimes quite actively. These guys are already so strong that a “shiver” (when the off arm actively pushes the defender off to create space, as Tatum did here) would seem to create a nearly impossible move to guard. Shouldn’t that be an offensive foul? I mean (in your view, as a really smart NBA observer) how should ref’s be calling this. Love your work!
Re: the shiver, as long as you don't extend the arm all the way out to push the defender backward, the refs generally let you get away with it — and I think that's the right way to handle things. A shoulder dip shouldn't be an offensive foul, to me. Tatum is actually one of the guys who gets called for it the most often because he gets really loose with that front arm. When he keeps it tight to the body, you can't stop him from getting what he wants.
Love Tatum, clearly playing at peak of his powers. But I want to ask — I’m genuinely curious — about those “forearm shivers” against Hield. I’ve seen Tatum, SGA, and Doncic use that off arm a lot this year. Sometimes passively (Doncic is great at that) but sometimes quite actively. These guys are already so strong that a “shiver” (when the off arm actively pushes the defender off to create space, as Tatum did here) would seem to create a nearly impossible move to guard. Shouldn’t that be an offensive foul? I mean (in your view, as a really smart NBA observer) how should ref’s be calling this. Love your work!
Appreciate the kind words!
Re: the shiver, as long as you don't extend the arm all the way out to push the defender backward, the refs generally let you get away with it — and I think that's the right way to handle things. A shoulder dip shouldn't be an offensive foul, to me. Tatum is actually one of the guys who gets called for it the most often because he gets really loose with that front arm. When he keeps it tight to the body, you can't stop him from getting what he wants.
Thanks, Jared. Appreciate the perspective!