In my opinion, good footwork is something that gets taken for granted when watching the NBA.  Good footwork is key for a NBA player because it is what players use to create space without using their dribble.  Both big men and guards use footwork to put themselves in better position to score, even if they do it very differently.  Today we are going to look at how players use good footwork on the outside to create open looks and scoring opportunities.

On the outside, there are a few different ways that guards can use footwork to get themselves an open shot (or a drive to the lane).  Footwork is important in just about every aspect of the game on the outside, whether it be a player jab stepping with the basketball, a shooter squaring up their body when catching and shooting, or a ball handler hitting a step back jumper.  In each instance there are a few different players who really succeed at this aspect of the game:

Pivot Moves

In the NBA, you don’t see many players utilize the pivot move too effectively (on the outside), but one player who does is Kobe.  You often see Kobe using fantastic footwork to spin in and out of trouble and get himself in position where he can get shots off.

On this play, Kobe Bryant pump fakes getting Kenyon Martin up in the air.  Most players are content jumping into Martin’s body, drawing the foul and getting the two foul shots.  Not Kobe.  He is going to try and find a way to pivot out of the play and find a way to get the shot off.  On this particular play, Kobe’s left foot is established as his pivot foot.

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