With nearly two decades worth of experience flying around the perimeter as a defensive pest, it’s only fitting that P.J. Tucker remembers some of the ways to combat it on the offensive end. Showcasing his IQ out of the high post, the Miami Heat forward reads the Portland Trail Blazers defense, shifting two different players with a subtle ball fake before whipping a smooth behind-the-back feed to a teammate for an easy bucket. Even without their two All-Stars, Tucker ensured his team would be in good hands, stepping up with 14 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block in a 115-109 win on January 5, 2022.

P.J. Tucker

P.J. Tucker threads behind-back dime along baseline to cutting teammate

When all is said and done, Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley will have earned his reputation as one of the NBA’s most consistent talents. Working against a tough Boston Celtics defense, Conley puts both the IQ and talent on display, using a pass-and-cut to draw a favorable matchup, then breaking out a behind-the-back, stepback combo to free himself for a triple. The veteran guard was excellent, with 29 points, seven assists and a perfect seven-of-seven from deep in a 137-130 shootout win on December 3, 2021.

Mike Conley

Mike Conley steps back into one of seven triples on night

Monte Morris is an elite ball-handler and a pinpoint passer with an eye for opportunity all over the court. In a mismatch with Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela, the Denver Nuggets point guard makes the veteran big man pay for a wide stance by nutmegging a between-the-legs dime to teammate Nikola Jokić for a layup. Morris had 21 points in a 133-115 road triumph on December 17, 2021.

Monte Morris

Monte Morris feeds big man with dime through defender's legs

When Aaron Gordon is filling the lane on the break, it’s a safe bet that something spectacular is about to occur. In transition against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Denver Nuggets forward confidently calls for the lob, then leaps up for an incredible two-handed reverse flush that only he could make look so effortless. Gordon finished with 24 points, five rebounds and three assists in the April 1, 2022 matchup.

Aaron Gordon

Aaron Gordon soars from hashmarks to throw down 180-degree alley-oop

Goran Dragic has racked up enough buckets throughout his career to understand the value of patience. The Miami Heat veteran loses a handful of Atlanta Hawks defenders with a shot fake then pivots into a wide-open finger roll on March 2, 2021.

Goran Dragić

Goran Dragić sheds defense with pumpfake, spins for easy hoop

When the game’s on the line and the defense needs one stop, it always comes down to who wants it most. During the Denver Nuggets’ 93-91 nailbiter over the Minnesota Timberwolves, that player was Will Barton. Despite the Timberwolves’ 3-on-2 advantage, Barton hustles back on the play in transition, then uses his instincts and athleticism to block a potential game-tying layup in the final seconds. Barton chipped in 10 points, three steals and two blocks in the win on October 30, 2021.

Will Barton

Will Barton snuffs out game-tying layup, helps preserve win over Timberwolves

As a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, Seth Curry has become one of the most efficient, feared shooters across the NBA. Here, he shows off some of the more overlooked parts of his game, working a pick-and-roll to get a switch on a big before busting out a lightning-quick crossover and dropping a dime. Curry was in do-it-all mode against the Denver Nuggets, with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and two triples in a 103-89 win on November 18, 2021.

Seth Curry

Seth Curry fires no-look entry feed into cutting rim runner

Get caught reading Facundo Campazzo’s eyes and you’re already too late. The Denver Nuggets rookie’s ability to manipulate the defense with nothing but playmaker wizardry is on full display as he hits Zeke Nnaji in the corner with a textbook no-look pass against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 14, 2021.

Facundo Campazzo

Facundo Campazzo freezes defense with eyes before wiring no-look out to corner

Can’t stop what you can’t catch. Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn pushes the ball up the floor while trailed by Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell, then heads straight to the cup to throw down a transition slam on February 13, 2021.

Kendrick Nunn

Kendrick Nunn throws down transition dunk past challenger

You can’t catch ‘em sleeping if you’re not willing to push the pace. Forward Tobias Harris of the Philadelphia 76ers runs the floor, slips through a transitioning Toronto Raptors defense and floats in an easy runner en route to a Philadelphia 76ers victory on December 29, 2020. The forward put up a cool 26 points in the win.

Tobias Harris

Tobias Harris navigates through defense for transition bucket

Dallas Mavericks big man Dwight Powell is a quintessential example of hard work and perseverance. A master of the little things, Powell shows here that he doesn’t need the ball to be effective. After a hand off and screen for teammate Luka Dončić, the veteran rim-runs with serious intent, executing the action perfectly before rising up and finishing a lob with two hands. Powell put up a career-high 26 points and 12 rebounds in a 13-point victory over the Houston Rockets on March 11, 2022.

Dwight Powell

Dwight Howard rolls hard to the rim in dominant performance

Dillon Brooks defines grit and grind. Working his way through the Sacramento Kings defense, the Memphis Grizzlies wing finds a lane through the paint and sprints to the cup for a two-handed flush. Brooks had 21 points and six boards in a dominant 128-101 win on November 28, 2021.

Dillon Brooks

Dillon Brooks spins through double-team, finds opening for slam

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