He was quick, strong, and supremely intelligent.

If I had position on him in the post, he’d try to cheat to one side to?play the passing lane. That way, if it was an errant pass, he’d be?able to poke the ball loose or steal it outright. My reaction to that?was to use my size to keep him behind me, so he couldn’t lean in?either direction, and catch the ball up high. Then, when I turned to?shoot the fadeaway over him, I would hold the ball high and never?bring it down to his level. That’s something I worked on a lot in the?summer—catching the ball, turning, and keeping the ball in front of?my face.