Passing Grades

I was very fortunate to have played for the Chicago Bulls under the inventor of the Triangle Offense, Tex Winter. He would always say, "If you can't pass, you can't play." We used to spend time at the beginning of almost every practice working on passing. Yes, you read that right, the Bulls practiced passing. We would do simple drills designed to help build accurate passing mechanics and Tex was a stickler for the details. Basic passing skills are deteriorating in basketball. With offenses becoming more predicated on dribble drives and ball screens, players are not learning the intricacies of passing. It takes skill and finesse to throw a slip, flare, or skip pass. I watch game after game of youth hoops where a player dribbles incessantly looking to make a play instead of just hitting an open teammate. Post feeds are almost non-existent.

I truly believe a player, especially a guard, can separate himself from other players with his passing ability. Passing is an unselfish skill. Yes, you get the assist sometimes, but rarely do you make Sportscenter or the highlight reel. Instead you help a teammate and your team make a positive play that impacts winning. I love the rule in hockey that allows for two players to get an assist. Sometimes the pass before the assist is the most important because it sets up the scoring play. Being a good passer who can get the ball to a teammate at the right place at the right time is a talent every successful team must have. Great passing teams almost always have good chemistry because they are constantly helping each other be successful on offense. Don't get me wrong, I like a good one on one move as much as the next person, but there is something beautiful about passing. I'll take a perfectly executed give and go over an ankle-breaking crossover any day.