Basketball

Offensive and Defensive Deceptions

On the court, deception involves offensive players attempting to fool defenders and find the opportunity to score. Two of the most common offensive moves are the “pump fake,” faking a shooting motion and subsequently making another move; and the “crossover,” a quick change of dribbling motion from one side of a player's body to another. The crossover is often listed as one of the most potent moves in the game. It involves a player handling the ball and leaning his body in one direction, giving the appearance that the player will attack in one direction, but then actually attacking in the opposite direction. This often leaves the defender unbalanced because of the quick change of direction, freeing the offensive player to either take a shot or drive to the basket.

This particular move has been used to devastating effect by players such as Michael Jordan, Tim Hardaway, Allen Iverson, and Dwyane Wade. For example, the game-winning shot by Michael [Page 62]Jordan of the Chicago Bulls in the 1998 National Basketball Association (NBA) finals against Bryon Russell of the Utah Jazz was made possible by a crossover.

Another important move that relies on deceit is the pump fake. The ball handler feigns a shooting motion, without actually lifting his feet from the ground. Often, the defender will respond by jumping in an attempt to block the shot. This response gives the offensive player an opportunity to draw a foul or drive to the basket. Masters of the pump fake are Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, and Paul Pierce. In Game 1 of the 2008 NBA finals, Paul Piece of the Boston Celtics made what some consider one of the most memorable plays in recent playoff history. With his team down three points to the Los Angeles Lakers, Pierce pump faked a three-point shot, which caused his defender Pau Gasol to challenge the shot. Pierce was subsequently hit by the falling Gasol, which resulted in a foul, but he still made the shot after contact. This was a pivotal turning point in the game.

Paul Pierce playing for the Boston Celtics, January 13, 2008. An important basketball move that relies on deceit is the pump fake. Pierce used it in one of the most memorable plays in National Basketball Association (NBA) playoff history—a three-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA finals while his team was down three points.

Referees

Referees are sometimes also the targets of deception because of their authority to call personal fouls on players. If a player receives six fouls, he is automatically disqualified from the game. A personal foul can also cause a team to give up possession of the ball or give a player the opportunity to take free throws (unopposed shots taken from the restricted area of the court). Players sometimes use deception to draw fouls by intentionally falling or faking injuries after little or no physical contact. As a result, deceived referees believe that misconduct has occurred and call a foul.

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