Since the 92 finals are on, I'm having flashbacks to games from that era. There was a game where I swear Duck or Buck was inbounding the ball on the end of the court, and struggling to do so. So another player ran out of bounds to the other side of the out of bounce area, and the player originally passing in the ball, threw it over to the other player, now out of bounds. Is that allowed anymore? Am I remembering an incorrect scenario?
That definitely used to happen. I can't remember the last time I saw it occur, so I assume it's no longer allowed.
As I understand (and as @MickZagger indicated) that kind of maneuver, as well as simply walking/running along the baseline before inbounding, is only permitted after a made basket. Any other inbounding situation, the ball must be inbounded from that specific spot.
Gotcha. Confirmed still allowed--Rule 6, section 1, subsection c https://official.nba.com/rule-no-6-putting-ball-in-play-live-dead-ball/ In putting the ball into play following a successful free throw, field goal or at the start of a period, the thrower-in may run along the endline or pass it to a teammate who is also out-of-bounds at the endline.
I wonder why that's not being done anymore? Probably due to the lack of full court defenses being played.
Yeah, and when there is full court press expected (last few seconds of the game), the inbounding team probably has a specific press-beating play called which might be hard to execute if the inbounder moves around. On the other hand, it seems like you should at least once in a while see a play drawn up that utilizes passing to another teammate who started inbounds and then goes out-of-bounds on the endline.
I wonder if it's not used because of the possibilities for error and the time it would take to do it right.
Could you imagine the criticism of a coach if a player attempts an OOB pass and accidentally hits the stanchion and causes a turnover? "Why would Stotts try something so risky to accomplish something so simple as inbounding the ball?! I could draw up a better inbounds play than that!!"
Yes I think its a couple of reasons. First, practice time is already so limited in an NBA season that coaches focus on other improvements as this doesn't create much of an advantage. Also, the reduction of shot clock reset to 14 second, quicker 3's, faster pace has made it so teams don't defend full court. They are more concerned with being out of position defensively.