Monday, March 11, 2024

Basketball and other Animals

Sport overflows with metaphorical animal references - king of the jungle, ruling the roost, 600 pound gorillas. We anthropomorphize the beasts and ascribe animal attributes to athletes.

Chris Paul plies the 'snake dribble' to create space.

 

Blend balance and power with an exaggerated 'crow hop'. 

 

Offenses catch defenses unaware with the 'blind pig'. 

Everyone played H-O-R-S-E. Curry and Durant play P-I-G. 


Players use the 'crab dribble' to protect the ball.

Other animal references exist, too. 

  • Of a gritty player, "he has a lot of dog in him."
  • Teams that play an overly physical, dirty style play "gorilla ball." 
  • A player responsible for defeat wears the 'goat horns'.
  • An out of control player is a "bull in a China shop." 
  • Mismatch, "mouse in the house." 
  • Win by getting a bunch of gym rats on your team. 
  • Give the zebras a break. An African proverb says, 350 zebras must die so that one lion may live."
Do you have a 'spirit animal'? 

Lagniappe. Move a defender. 

Post by @fadeawayfit
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Lagniappe 2. Chris Oliver shows how another way to get inside position. 

Lagniappe 3. Majerus. 

Lagniappe 4. Stop to separate.