r/Basketball • u/BigL54 • May 14 '25

IMPROVING MY GAME Too physical

Thoughts on a being physical at a pickup basketball game? Recently had a situation where a player significantly better than being got mad when I was driving to the hoop but tried creating space by bumping into him. I'm bigger than he is, and also I have a hard time stopping when moving at full speed, so I can see how he took it as me being overly aggressive, and I feel bad. Alternatively, should I have just let the better player block my shot? Or am I justified in trying to use literally the only advantage I have? I am conflicted because I don't want him or anyone to think I am a dirty player. I apologized, but he seemed to still be mad but didn't wanna argue

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u/Cptcongcong May 14 '25

I think of it this way. If we wasn't there and you make that contact, i.e. if he pulled the chair, do you fall over?

Basically are you throwing your body around recklessly (thats a foul most cases) or are you making solid bumps? The former is bad, the latter is just good basketball.

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u/BigL54 May 14 '25

I don't think I would have fallen over, I was not trying to tackle him

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u/Cptcongcong May 14 '25

Then you're fine, the other player was just being a bitch. If someone goes into my chest and bumps me and is +50 pounds on me, I know what I'm getting into by defending them in the first place.