3 emerging trends OKC Thunder must heed when selecting NBA Draft picks

The ‘floater’ is the new ‘sky hook’:

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals offered up undeniable facts. Trae Young‘s ‘floater’ may very well be the modern-day equivalent to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s indefensible sky hook.

The former Oklahoma Sooner has improved upon the shot so much that opponents have difficulty distinguishing when he’ll shoot versus when he’ll use the same action as a lob. Adding to the frustration of defending the shot is Young clearly spent time in the James Harden class ‘how to best bait refs into calling fouls‘.

It’s common knowledge that every offseason Harden and friends spend time figuring out how to pull the basketball equivalent of the referee rope-a-dope. They run through the rule book looking for leeway on how they can capitalize to merit easy whistles.

One of his most utilized moves involves hooking his arm through an opponent’s then flailing to the side or backward giving the appearance he’s the one being fouled. Yet, the entire play is orchestrated by Harden from start to finish frequently getting the desired result of free throws. This same technique has a 2.0 option that involves using a screen to find the opportunity to hook the opponent’s arm.

Young has mastered that particular move as he has the sweep-through. The ever-effective (and equally frustrating) foul-baiting move he uses more than anyone is jumping into a player. I’ve watched 40 plus Hawks games this year and in every one Young has collected free throws from creating contact often feeling a player on his hip or back and flailing his arms. The playoffs have exposed just how far the NBA has shifted to help offenses and made it virtually impossible to defend.

Young’s hook shot is particularly elusive for defenders. If opponents press up to shut off the paint Young throws his body into the player, if they back off the floater is unimpeded. And if opponents are successful at keeping him out of the paint it frequently results in a sideways jump into the opponent or a 3-point attempt followed by a fall to make it appear like he was undercut while it’s frequently him jumping forward into the opponent.

The resulting effect is far too many whistles for moves the offense is orchestrating and that has led to outcries from teams who are tired of solid defense not only being penalized but offensive fouls not being called.

OKC will need to monitor the changes the league is set to make this offseason. Regardless of how sweeping the rule changes will be, it might be time to add ‘the floater’ drill to the end of practice sessions alongside free throw drills. The shot has taken on that much precedence. Likewise, having a smallish speedy guard capable of utilizing all these techniques is becoming a must-have for every roster.